She moved hers just out of reach.
For a heartbeat, his eyes caught on hers. Something within them—beyond the teasing expression—stared at her with a seriousness she’d not thought him capable of. Her breath hitched. But then he cleared his throat.
“Never fear, my heart, I bring happiness enough for the both of us.”
She sighed again. The new endearment frustrated her. It was mocking. A reminder of all she would never have in this marriage. She wasn’t certain Lord Norwich possessed a heart, and if he did, he was not likely to share it with her. She certainly would never give hers to him. No, thank you.
But she could play at his games. And so, she turned a dazzling smile on him just as they neared the entrance to the park.
“No need, my dear. I am perfectly capable of pretending happiness. Even foryou.”
Chapter Twelve
Edward tightened his hands aroundthe reins, tucking his smile away. This dance with his wife was proving far more entertaining than he could have expected. It did not hurt that Amelia’s broad smile caused his insides to jumble together in a strange fashion—even when paired with her sarcastic words. Perhaps in partbecauseof the pairing.
“Oh? I am wounded to think your happiness may be a farce.”
“If we are speaking of wounds, I believe now would be a good time to bring up my aching head from your flower. Or perhaps the pain in my ankle from stumbling on the stairs.” Her look was challenging, and Edward did not hold back his responding grin.
“You assured me you were perfectly well on the stairs.”
“Women say a great many things they do not mean for the sake of those around them.”
Well, that was certainly interesting.
They joined the throngs of carriages, horses, and people promenading through Hyde Park. He looked about them, smiling at an acquaintance or two, all the while surveying Amelia from the corner of his vision. The sun warmed his dark hat and shoulders, yet the side nearest Amelia felt hotter than them all.
“Do you think we will see your sisters today?”
“I certainly hope not.” He could hardly hear her murmured response.
“Not a great deal of sisterly affection there, I presume?” Did not all sisters get along?
Amelia looked out at the landscape, her bonnet obscuring her facial expressions. “There used to be,” she responded, her voice far more sincere. But then she glanced back at him, and a sly look lit her face. “But, now, I believe you would get along far better with them than you do me.”
“Because they would not see marriage to me as such a chore?” He tipped his hat at a couple passing them while he spoke the teasing words.
Amelia offered a brief wave and smile. “No. Because you all enjoy Society’s games.”
Edward looked sharply at her, but she was waving to a pair of ladies walking near the path. “I donotenjoy Society’s games, Amelia.”
“Oh?” She looked at him briefly before staring around them yet again. “Then what is this exactly?”
“What?”
She gestured between the two of them, cocking her head. “This game where you play at affection for me? And I would hazard a guess that it is not the first game you have played for your own entertainment. That is all Society ever seems to care for—something to keep their interest. Be it in their lives or another’s through gossip. Am I wrong?” Her tone did not hold malice, and she seemed genuinely interested in his answer, but he could not give her one.
Wasshe wrong? This was not a game, was it? Certainly, he had a goal in mind, but that was not so bad a thing. And he’d had a goal when allowing all those women to entrap him. But that did not mean he was bending to Society’s strictures. He always thought he flouted theton’s customs, but could he be conforming to them?
The thought was rather startling.
Amelia watched him a moment longer before apparently accepting his silence as answer. She sighed. Edward returned his eyes to the road and shifted in the seat.
“This is no game to me.” Edward’s thoughts startled him by escaping from his mouth a full minute later.
Amelia’s response came in the form of a near whisper, as if an afterthought, as she continued to view the people about them. “I would not expect you to think it is.”
He could come up with no answer.
