“I do not believe he is.” She smiled wistfully at her dress, and Amelia’s interest grew. “I did not know him before this Season at all. As fate would have it, he was passed the title three years ago when his father died. But the estate was in horrible disrepair, so he has been rectifying that situation. Had he come to London when he ought to, we might never have met!” Henrietta’s lips pressed together, barely holding back an apparently joyous smile.
Amelia, for her part, had a twinge of worry that this man may be a fortune hunter.
Heedless of Amelia’s reticence, though, Henrietta continued in her happy vein. “He has been showing me particular attention and has hardly noticed Edith at all! Can you even countenance it, Mellie?”
Amelia tossed aside her misgivings and smiled in full, relaxing in her sister’s presence for the first time in years. “It is not so strange that a man would prefer you over Edith, Henrietta. I am so very happy for you. I hope I will meet him soon.”
“Nothing is official yet, so I do not wish to get ahead of myself.” Henrietta shot Amelia a sheepish look, which quickly fell as elation took its place.
“I will say nothing,” Amelia assured her, “but you must keep me informed with each development!”
Her sister beamed, and they fell into discussing what Henrietta planned to wear to a ball that evening and whether her light-green dress would clash too much with her emerald necklace. Amelia mentioned the dinner party and that Henrietta would be receiving her invitation soon. Half an hour passed comfortably before Henrietta proclaimed, with regret, that she had to be going.
“I am glad you came, Henrietta. I hope you will visit again.” Amelia spoke genuinely as she escorted her sister to the door.
“I certainly will. And I hope you will come to visit us as well. Papa misses you, you know.”
Amelia struggled to keep the surprise from her face, but Henrietta only smiled and curtsied before gathering her bonnet and exiting the home.
Amelia stood rooted in the middle of the entryway even after the door closed behind her sister.
She had passed an enjoyable breakfast with her husband, a surprisingly pleasurable visit with her sister, and supposedly Papa missed her? Her arms wrapped about her middle as she spun around and fairly bounced up the staircase. Perhaps married life would suit her after all.
Chapter Fifteen
“Were you aware that Mr.Bullock spent twenty years amassing this collection?”
Edward laughed, tapping Amelia’s arm with the back of his hand. “Yes, I received the same companion book when we entered, but if you do not put yours aside, you shall miss the collection entirely!”
Amelia looked at him then, her eyes, blue today to match her dress, dancing. “Forgive me for feeling that I will better appreciate the displays if I have been well-educated on them beforehand!”
“You are forgiven.”
Amelia rolled her eyes, but her gaze was almost immediately distracted as they entered the Natural History Hall.
“It is as if we are in the very jungle itself.” Her voice was quiet, awed, and she nearly spun in a circle while walking to take it all in.
Edward was far more fascinated watching her than looking about him at the fantastic display. She was enthralling, with her wide eyes and a hint of a smile. Edward commended himself on his fine choice of outing. For the first time, he had chosen a tactic of wooing her based on what he had learned of her so far, rather than his knowledge of the female population as a whole. It was, apparently, the correct choice. They had been getting along fairly well for the past few days, but here, in the middle of the incredible museum, she did not seem to even remember that she had once disliked him so vehemently.
It was dangerous because it gave Edward hope—a feeling which he hadn’t been aware was buried deep within him. Hope that perhaps theirs could be a happy marriage, if such a thing even existed. Watching Amelia just now, he believed it might. He certainly felt happy.
“Do you suppose this is life-size? Can you imagine seeing such an animal in reality?” Her walking and spinning stopped as they reached the center exhibit housing an elephant,giraffa, and various other African beasts.
“Yes, I believe they are indeed true in size. I have seen a number of these animals at the menagerie. Have you never been?”
Amelia laughed lightly. “You forget I was only in London for a couple weeks before someone took me out of polite Society.” She eyed him, but the look was more teasing than reprobating. “Besides, Edith always claimed it was far too dirty and uncivilized. I, however, believe she was simply fearful and ill-inclined to show it.”
“Ah, I see. We ought to attend sometime, if you do not believe it too dirty and uncivilized. As long as you do not mind attending with suchimpolitesociety.”
She shot him a wry look before moving away to peruse the various cases of birds along the back wall. He followed.
“I would indeed enjoy that,” she said when he reached her side again. “I’ve read a great deal about the menagerie and would like to experience it for myself.”
“Do you enjoy reading, then?”
She pulled a face.
“So... no?”
