Amelia sank back in her chair feeling invisible. She wanted to throw propriety out the window, burn her mourning garb, and don an elegant gown. Why must she continue to mourn when she no longer wished to? It would not bring Papa back, nor was it what he had wanted for her.
* * * *
Richard’s heart squeezed at the sight of Lady Amelia halfway up the library ladder with her arms outstretched. She wobbled unsteadily and he rushed to her side as she lost her footing. Her hands flailed wildly as she descended toward the ground. Heart pounding, he reached out his arms in hopes of catching her. With a light thud, her soft body came to a rest cradled close to his chest, her head resting against his forearm. “Open your eyes, Amelia. Are you hurt?”
She inhaled deeply, and opened her eyes on exhale.
His blood heated with desire when their gazes met.
“Please, do put me down. I am perfectly fine.”
He held her tighter. “What were you doing up there like that? And all alone?” She could have broken her leg, or worse, her neck.
“It is none of your concern. Put me down.”
Did she not see how foolish her actions were? “As long as we are under the same roof, youaremy concern.”
Her eye-color seemed to deepen as his pulse sped up. He brought his lips down on hers, firm and demanding. Amelia returned the kiss fervently, draping her arms over his muscular shoulders. He laid her upon the nearby chaise before meeting her gaze again. The desire reflecting back at him stole any resolve he had. He entwined his fingers in her hair at the base of her neck as he lowered his head to her flesh. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him closer. He trailed kisses across her silky skin, down her neck and toward the mound of her breasts.
Her body moved with a heathen rhythm beneath him, sending his blood straight to his groin as he came over her. He moved to cup her full breast, kneading it in his palm. She whimpered, and pulled him still closer.
“Do not stop,” Amelia begged breathlessly.
Her words shot through him and he pulled away. What was he doing? For all he knew she was an innocent. Or she could be out to trap a duke. He had yet to discover her game. His heart squeezed at the notion. He could easily lose his heart to her. He already cared for her despite his desire not to. What if she was no different from Lady Ophelia? She reached for him and he stormed out of the library, leaving her to stare after him with confusion filling her eyes.
SCANDALOUS ENDEAVORS
CHAPTER NINE
Amelia stood bythe entrance to the duchess’s townhouse, prepared to help receive guests. Being included in the ton once again was splendid, even if it was only due to her circumstances. Society rules allowed for her to attend the dinner party since she remained in residence and under the duchess’s chaperonage. Unfortunately, the Duke of Goldstone was also part of the receiving line. Knowing he stood so close caused a strange flutter in her belly. She pushed the thoughts away. Tonight she had more important things to occupy her mind.
Carriage wheels ground to a stop in front of Abernathy House, announcing the first guest’s arrival. She fixed a pleasant smile upon her lips and smoothed her skirts one more time.
“Are you ready for this, dear?” Grace asked.
“It seems I have to be.”
“And you, Richard?” Grace beamed at her nephew.
Amelia glanced in his direction before she could stop herself, and their gazes locked.
“There is nowhere I would rather be.”
He said it as though the words were meant only for her. Heat rose across Amelia’s chest and inched up onto her cheeks. The dastardly duke grinned charmingly, then winked before she tore her stare from his.
The Marquess and Marchioness of Havenshire entered the townhouse, followed by Lady Sarah and Lord Roseington. Several other fashionable lords and ladies filed in behind the Marquess’s family. She could not help thinking she must appear positively frightful to them clad in her mourning garb, like an apparition here to suck all the life from the party. Forcing a weak smile back onto her face, she curtsied, greeting the guests one by one, but her heart was not in it.
With all of the guests properly received, Grace and the duke joined them in the parlor. Amelia desired to get away from his grace and the other guests so she could regain her focus. She could not afford to be distracted tonight. The plan must be her top priority. With Grace’s permission, she returned to her room with a feigned headache. She needed to regroup before mealtime.
Headache indeed, more like body ache. She had to find a way to avoid the duke. How could her body want a man whom her mind despised? It made no sense at all. Perhaps she was fooling herself. What if she did fancy him? It mattered not--he was from Scotland, and she was in need of an English husband. Besides, he made it clear he did not care for her. Not in a romantic way. If he did, he would not have cast her aside so easily. He would not have left her wanting more without so much as a word spoken from his rakish mouth.
Lying back on her bed, she closed her eyes.Lord please let everything work out.Soon, it would be time to rejoin the party, and shortly thereafter she would again attempt to compromise herself with Lord Roseington.
She got out of bed and sauntered to the vanity. The soft carpet padded her steps. Sitting down, Amelia studied her reflection. She had become ghastly pale and strands of hair dangled out of her chignon. Masterfully, she tucked the tresses back into place and pinched some color into her cheeks.
If not for the dreadful mourning garb, she would be attractive. Perhaps the drab gowns were what sent the duke running from her? She moved her hand to her chest and danced her fingers across the crape lining her collar. The dress would be more bearable to wear without the depressing embellishment. With a tight grasp she pulled until it ripped free from the gown. Her door opened and she jumped from the seat, dropping the crape in the process.
“My Lady, her grace sent me to retrieve you for meal time,” Edna said, eyeing her in a suspicious way. “What folly have you engaged in?”
