He stopped his pacing, coming to lean his forearm against the mantle of the fireplace. A thrill of anticipation ran through him. Was it wrong if he should profit from Barton’s misfortune? For he suddenly found that his desire to help his friend was being eclipsed by his desire to have another opportunity to convince his wife of his affection.
His mouth pulled down into a frown at that. Was he even managing it? He’d thought making the stipulation of pretending at a happy marriage at home and outwardly would help in his efforts, but all it was doing was confusing him. Each moment spent with Amelia seemed to make him fall more in love with her, seemed to stretch his very willpower to keep from blurting out his affection. But how did she find their time together? Enjoyable? Or a necessary evil to help her sister?
Edward expelled a tense breath. Regardless, this was an opportunity he could not miss. And the past weekhadbeen promising. He would simply dwell on that, and then he would see if she was amenable to a visit to Norfolk.
That decided, he transferred his attention to the other two letters on his desk, letters from women he had sent missives to in the last week. Only two of the five had responded. But it was two, and he was grateful at least that many had answered him. It was likely the other three ladies had not even received the letters, courtesy of their overbearing parents. But these women had answered and absolved him of his part in their ruination. Did he need to find a way to visit the others? He did not wish to. Even writing seemed to toe the line of propriety—but he may very well need to do just that.
He could not do more than apologize for his part, but he’d needed to do at least that if he was to become that better man Barton had mentioned.
And he needed to be a better man to deserve his wife’s love.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Amelia looked stunning when sheentered the drawing room before dinner. Edward momentarily forgot his purpose in asking her about traveling to Barton’s family home when he took in her blue gown, upswept hair, and slight smile. He stumbled to his feet.
“You look magnificent, Amelia.” He crossed to take her hand.
She raised an eyebrow, and he scowled playfully at her.
“I mean every word. You are breathtaking.”
A delicate blush tinged her cheeks a dusty pink. “I thank you.” But the blush did not last, and then her hands pulled together in front of her. What had gone wrong?
“Come. Sit a moment while we wait for dinner to be announced. I have some news.”
Her eyes brightened. “Oh! And I as well.”
They settled on the settee together, and Edward barely refrained from tucking her in close. A slight hint of lavender wafted to him, and it was intoxicating.
“What is it you wished to speak of?” she asked, her hands no longer twisting.
“No, I wish to hear your news first.” He was smiling at her like a ninny.
She returned the smile, and Edward felt like a schoolboy. “Henrietta paid me a visit this afternoon. Papa seems in a better mood of late, and they are hosting a friend of Edith’s this week who, if Henrietta is to be believed, does not have the most pristine of reputations. Therefore, Henrietta believes that Papa may come around to her baronet’s suit. She has begged me to come to tea in three days to meet her beau.”
Edward’s heart sank at the same time it lifted. He was happy for Amelia and her sister, but this meant she would not wish to leave Town for a week with him. And he couldn’t be delayed; Barton’s mother’s life may depend on him. He summoned a smile.
“That is wonderful news. I hope for your sister’s sake that all goes well. You will... you will go to this tea, then?”
“Yes, indeed. I cannot say how happy I am to be growing closer with even one of my sisters. I never thought I would.”
Her soft smile aimed nowhere in particular lifted Edward’s spirits. She was so much happier now than even a week before. The perceptible lightness in her made him feel light in return. How strange to have one’s emotions so closely tied to another’s.
“That is fantastic, truly.”
She turned her smile on him. “And what was your news?”
His smile drooped. “Unfortunately, my news is not so wonderful. My valet’s mother is doing worse.”
Amelia’s face registered her concern. “What can be done?”
“I do not know. I am hopeful that improving their living conditions may help. Her current ailment is due to the weather, so I believe some renovations on their home could aid there.”
“Have they the funds?”
“I am sure they do not. I intend to undertake the necessary changes myself.”
“That is very noble of you.” She looked to be considering something, but her words were sincere.
