Lady Anderson hushed them both. “So, clearly, you need not tread carefully. Perhaps you should simply be there when she awakens and confess your feelings immediately. You could also write her a letter. Oh! A love letter, how romantic!”
“These are both wonderful ideas, Lady Anderson,” Edward said, “but I fear there may be more needed before I can simply state my love for Amelia.” His voice hitched oddly at the wordlove. The words were freeing to say but altogether terrifying to have out in the world. And he had been throwing around that “l” word a bit too often as of late.
“Whatever is that?” Lady Anderson asked, shocked.
“Ah,” Lady Cromwell said, watching Edward and ignoring her friend. “You are speaking of your reputation.”
“Yes.” Edward heaved a sigh. “I had hoped to hide from such a conversation, but I am well aware now that I cannot. I will have to tell her everything.” And, apparently, he had some things he needed her to tell him.
Both women appeared somber. Lady Anderson’s hands pulled together nervously in her lap, just as Amelia’s did when she was concerned.
“Do not look so solemn,” he teased in a halfhearted attempt at humor. But his exhaustion and concern made the words fall flat. “I am certain I can salvage our relationship after I come clean. I will simply have some buttered apple tart on hand as an inducement to her forgiving me.” He offered half a smile. He could not muster the other half.
“I am sure all will be well.” Lady Anderson patted his hand, though he saw the uncertainty in her eyes.
“Yes. Indeed.”
And then the ladies bid him farewell, pity and concern warring in their expressions as the door closed behind them.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Flowers.
The pungent smell filled Amelia’s senses as she fought unconsciousness. And when she opened her eyes, they were all she could see. Flowers. More flowers.
Good heavens, who robbed a hothouse?
Amelia raised a hand to her muddled head and blinked a few times. The actions felt stiff and foreign, but they did not hurt overmuch. The blinding pain, nausea, and variable body temperatures had left her, and she felt both relieved and exhausted.
Her eyes finally adjusted to the light in the room, and she raised her head to better view the arboreal offerings. There were not so many, now that she could view them clearly. Even still, various bouquets and arrangements covered her bedside and dressing tables. Curious, she picked up the note closest to her.
Wishing you a full recovery—Miss Ellen Brooks
Amelia dropped the note as if it had bitten her.
“Oh, my lady, you are awake!”
Amelia looked to the door sharply and saw Mary entering holding a tray. Her maid smiled as she set down her burden and stepped closer, hands pressed together in front of her. Her step faltered. “I’d best inform Lord Norwich. He wished to know the moment you arose. I am so very happy you—”
“Edward is back?” Emotion, both hot and cold, flooded her. She hadn’t had the time to prepare herself to see him again. To settle her thoughts regarding Miss Brooks. To settle her own emotions. A large part of her wished to see him, but the other part...
“Yes, my lady, and he requested I inform him of your condition as soon as I was able. He wished to know the moment you woke.” Mary paused, settling her weight on one leg with a sly smile. “He has been most... concerned. With your well-being.”
“Oh.” What was Amelia to say to that?
“Indeed.” And with another secretive smile, Mary stepped closer to the door.
Amelia propped herself farther up in the bed. “No!”
Mary sent her a questioning look, and Amelia softened her tone before continuing.
“No, I...” She looked around wildly. “I would like to be more presentable. Before I see him.” It was a poor excuse but the best her mind could conjure at the moment.
Mary nodded, though she still looked uncertain. “Of course, my lady. Only, he did not say he would come straight away. He only wished to know. It seemed very important to him.”
Amelia grimaced at her bedsheets. “But suppose he did not wish to wait to see me, what then? I would have no time to ready myself. I would be so very embarrassed.”
Mary was buying none of it; her expression said as much. But the blessed girl only nodded again and moved instead in the direction of her previously abandoned tray. “Cook sent up some tea and a bit of toast if you feel able to eat it.”
