“Oh yes. That small helping you pushed into your napkin when you thought I was not watching.”
A fold in her dress suddenly secured Amelia’s attention quite fully. But he did not miss the way her eyes twinkled before becoming entranced by the garment. In an almost bored tone, she spoke to the dress. “Isupposeyou may be right. I do not particularly enjoy pickled vegetables.” She paused, still gazing down with her head tilted slightly. “Happy?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“In all honesty,” she muttered, “I would not have minded you setting our dinner on fire tonight.”
Edward laughed aloud.
“You find them that abhorrent, do you?” he asked.
“Oh yes.” Though she still was not looking at him, he could see the smile on her face.
“You have never been more attractive than you are in this moment.”
She glanced up, her eyes dancing. “Now I know that is not a false compliment. You would never jest about pickled vegetables,” she teased.
“No indeed.” He laughed again, placing his hands on either side of himself to shift back further into the settee. As he did so, the side of his hand grazed hers. The urge to pull away at the sudden energy tingling from the spot was eclipsed by his desire to draw even closer.
***
Amelia’s breath hitched as she felt Lord Norwich’s near-imperceptible touch on her hand.Feltmay have been too minor a word. She was fairly certain her heart rocked sideways at the effect of that miniscule touch. Her emotions warred with her: the pleasant feeling of good humor and the enjoyment of another’s wit, coupled with the uncertainty still surrounding her marriage.
And yet, her hand itched to feel his touch again.
Somehow, without her even realizing it, they had built a tentative sort of friendship, but could there be more there? Was it even possible with the many questions still between them?
The side of his hand grazed against hers again, lingering this time, as if asking a silent question. A tight, fiery sensation spread within her chest as she caught his questioning gaze. She could see the desire in his eyes, evident in the darkening of their coffee-colored depths. The same look was likely apparent in her own gaze.
No. She looked away. No, she could not allow herself to cross this line from camaraderie to something more when she still hardly knew the man. She could not open herself up to a relationship that would require she share portions of herself she’d rather keep hidden.
She pulled her hand into her lap, surprised at how difficult it was to convince the unwilling appendage to follow her command. A marriage could not be built on secrets; only trust would form the relationship she was beginning to desire.
When she again lifted her gaze to his, she could see the disappointment in his furrowed brow and tight mouth. But was he only disappointed because his usual ploys did not work? She did not know what to think, and the unknown was eating away at her.
“Lord Norwich—”
“Edward.”
She smiled tightly but did not alter her address to him. It was a needed defense just now, as she found her heart beginning to soften toward him. More than soften, if she was being honest.
“I wondered—that is...” She gripped her hands in her lap, wholly embarrassed to be having this conversation with him. But she must be frank. She straightened her back. “Your reputation is not particularly favorable—”
The change in him was noticeable. His entire being stiffened, and he raised his hand to interrupt her. Then, almost immediately, his stiffness relaxed, replaced by a practiced ease—an almost laziness about him as he drolled, “You yourself said Society often repeats untruths. Could the same not be true for my reputation?”
She did not believe he was as unaffected as he seemed to wish her to think. She searched his frustratingly distracted eyes. “Yes, of course, but—”
He cut her off. “Why ruin a perfect evening with talk of the past?”
“Because the past may affect our future.”
“It is up to us how our past affects us. Let us choose to leave it there. In the past.”
“I do not believe I can.” Frustration was rising within her. If he was innocent of all claims, why did he not just say so? By being unwilling to respond at all, he was confirming his guilt. She shifted, putting extra space between them. Though it was only a few inches, it felt like a great deal more.
A knock at the door, followed by Coombs entering the room, stopped the conversation immediately. Lord Norwich looked over his shoulder at the butler.
“I apologize, my lord, my lady, but Lady Anderson is here and wishes to see you. She will not take no for an answer.” Coombs looked at Lord Norwich expectantly, but if he would have looked to Amelia instead, he would have seen her mouth drop open.Whowas here for Lord Norwich? And at this hour! Certainly Lord Norwich would send this Lady Anderson on her way.
