“Good morning, Lady Amelia,” Jane said in her always cheerful voice.
Amelia returned her smile, but wished she were anywhere else in England. “Good morning, Lady Jane.”
She glanced at the always eccentric Lord Shillington decorated in all of his fineries. “Have you spoken with the Duke of Goldstone this morning? I would like to thank him for his care and protection before we depart.”
“I am afraid you are too late. He took his leave at sunrise. By now, he is well on his way to Leeds. In fact, he told me he plans to reach Scotland in two days’ time.” Amelia’s heart sank as Lord Shillington rambled on. “I told him it simply wasn’t possible, that a ride like that required three days minimum. Regrettably, the duke would hear none of it. He insisted he could reduce the time.” Lord Shillington looked back and forth between Amelia and Jane. “Can you imagine?”
Lady Jane answered, “I certainly cannot, but he is familiar with the route, so perhaps it is possible.” She turned her attention on Amelia, reaching out a hand and resting it on top of hers. “Lady Amelia, are you all right? You seem to be a million miles away.”
Amelia forced another smile. “Just eager to break my fast is all.”
Lord Shillington’s voice filled the space. “Of course you are. My apologies, Amelia, let us get you some sustenance.”
Lady Jane nodded as she removed her hand from Amelia’s.
Lord Shillington waved his arm, signaling for a waiter, and knocked over his drink in the process. Water flooded across the table and cascaded over the edge, making a splash on the dark wood floor.
Lady Jane abruptly abandoned her seat to get out of the cool liquid’s way. Her hand flew to her chest. “Dear me. Quick! Someone bring a rag over and mop up this mess.”
All eyes turned toward them as loud gasps filled the quaint space. Amelia’s cheeks burned under the patrons stares. This must be her punishment for acting like a harlot, conspiring against the lords of London. Thank God she never gave any serious thought to scandalizing Lord Shillington. Becoming his wife would without a doubt be a worse fate than consenting to an extended stay in America. His appearance was pleasant enough and he always behaved like a perfect gentleman, but she would never be able to get past his clumsiness, nor his ornate way of dressing.
With the spill tended to, Amelia took her seat as they returned to the meal. She sat absorbed in her thoughts, pushing food around on her plate while pretending to eat. Before long, the familiar weight of grief pressed down on her. Not for the death of her father, but for the loss of Richard. How perfectly fitting he had procured a drab black mourning gown for her.
Heaven help her, she loved him and found herself remorseful over how their story ended. If only he would have allowed her to explain, maybe he would have understood. Perhaps he could have loved her in return.
“Lady Amelia.” Lord Shillington held out his hand to help her into the carriage. Amelia took it then settled against the plush leather seat. He handed Lady Jane up next before climbing in and positioning himself across from her.
“I simply cannot wait to arrive back in London. It is a pity it takes three days.” Lady Jane folded her hands in her lap.
“Lord Shillington, where is my horse? I cannot leave her here.” Panic filled Amelia’s voice; she had already lost too much, she would not lose her Ruby as well. She prepared to jump from the carriage if necessary.
“Worry not, Lady Amelia, the duke hired a groom to follow behind with your beast.” Lord Shillington knocked on the carriage roof, signaling the footman to set the carriage into motion.
Lady Jane beamed as she folded her hands on her lap. “Despite the long ride, I do so love gazing at the English countryside. I find the quaint villages, rolling hills, dense forests, and wildflowers as far as the eye can see to be rather breathtaking. The sights fill me with a sense of serenity and awe. Don’t you agree?” She looked at Amelia with bright green eyes and a grin plastered on her thin lips, obviously waiting for confirmation.
Amelia nodded her agreement, then turned to gaze out the window, hopeful the siblings would leave her to her own devices.
“If the Duke of Goldstone can shorten his journey by a day, why can’t we?” Lady Jane asked her brother.
“As I said before, it is not possible. We would have to spend all night in the carriage and switch out horses every fifty or so miles to even have a chance. Not to ignore the fact that Lady Amelia’s beast is following behind the carriage. No horse can go straight through without dropping dead.”
Lady Jane gasped. “You needn’t be so crude about it, brother. A simple it cannot be done would have sufficed.”
“Well then, dear sister, it cannot be done, it simply is not possible.”
Lady Jane giggled most girlishly before turning her attention back to Amelia. “How is it you came to be in Sheffield and under the duke’s protection?”
Amelia turned her gaze on Lady Jane, struggling for words capable of explaining the previous three days’ events. “I...it is truly a rather long, tiresome tale. I would rather not bore you with the details.” She smiled at her before redirecting her attention to the small window.
“I fail to see how traveling across England with the Duke of Goldstone could make for a boring story. Please reconsider--”
“Amelia already said there is no story to tell. Frankly, I find the man quite dull and cannot imagine anything out of the ordinary happened. Just remember our meeting with him last night. After a standard ‘how do you do,’ he explained his need to return to Scotland and how he needed to procure a chaperone to see Amelia back to London. He appeared rather put out and seemed desperate to find her a suitable escort.”
Amelia’s heart ached at Lord Shillington’s words. Had Richard saw her as little more than unwanted baggage?
Lady Jane bobbed her head. “That he did. Of course you are right. My apologies, Lady Amelia. I should not have pressed for a tale I knew did not exist.”
Amelia glanced up from her lap. “If it is all the same to you both, I am feeling rather tired and would like to rest.”
