“Your Grace, it was truly an honor.” Lord Shillington nodded slightly toward the door. “And now I must take my leave.” He bowed to the duchess before turning to saunter from the room.
Without speaking, Grace returned to her seat and motioned for Amelia to join her. She did as directed, her pulse quickening in anticipation of what the duchess might say. The sound of the main door clicking closed reached her ears just before Grace spoke.
“How is it you wound up traveling across the countryside with my nephew?” Grace looked at her pointedly.
Amelia swallowed back a lump in her throat. “I received news of Lord Roseington’s engagement, as well as a letter from Uncle Lewis.” She frowned. “I was already upset about how my plans continued to fail and felt rather hopeless after hearing about the engagement. Then when I read in Uncle Lewis’s letter that he had arranged passage for me, and I would be departing several days before the original agreement, I sank into despair.” She paused, taking in a deep breath.
Grace nodded quizzically. “Go on, dear, tell me all of it.”
A blush crept across her face at what she would and would not be sharing. “I could not think and I did not know what to do or where to turn. I acted foolishly when I ran from the house, and more so when I raced out of London.” She looked up from her lap, directing her gaze to meet Grace’s. “I had no idea where I would go, but knew I needed to get away. After taking a nap in the woods north of town, I decided I should go to Everthorne.”
Grace covered her heart with one delicately gloved hand. “Surely you jest; you did not sleep in the woods!”
“I assure you, it is not a jest. A rider scared me off the road. I thought it might be a member of the ton and did not want to be discovered. Once I left the road, I decided it would be better if I rested a while and waited for the road to clear.”
“There is little doubt you acted foolishly, but bravely as well. What happened next?” Grace leaned toward Amelia.
“After my nap I started on my way to Everthorne, feeling quite confident that going home would provide me with the clarity I desired.” Amelia played with a fold in her skirt. “After traveling several miles unnoticed, another rider approached and again I tried to run. Only this time, I did not get away.”
Grace’s eyes remained riveted on Amelia as she drank in the tale.
Amelia continued. “It was the Duke of Goldstone, and he demanded I go with him. A storm approached, making it imperative for us to find shelter.” Heat spread across her chest and rose onto her face as she continued, “Everthorne was but a short distance, so we continued there and spent the night.”
Grace smiled reassuringly. “I believe I know the rest. My nephew sent me a letter, informing me of the fact he had little choice but to take you with him until he could find a proper chaperone to bring you home.”
Amelia nodded. “That is correct. The duke ran into Lord Shillington in Sheffield, and arranged for him and Lady Jane to escort me back to London.”
Grace stood up and moved to the window. “It sounds like quite the adventure, dear.”
“It certainly was. I imagine all of London is gossiping about me now.” It did not matter to her if they were. She would soon be gone from London at any rate.
Grace moved to stand beside her. “If they knew about your adventure, I am sure they would be. Alas, no one other than Lady Sarah noticed your absence. She would not gossip about you. I am also quite certain my nephew instructed Lady Jane and Lord Shillington to keep private matters quiet. It would be imprudent to go against the wishes of a duke. The Shillington’s are not so foolish as to ignore a direct order from the Duke of Goldstone. That leaves only me, and I would never spread your secrets.” She patted Amelia’s shoulder.
Amelia folded her hands in her lap. “It doesn’t signify. I do not care if all of London finds me out. I will not be around to suffer for it much longer.”
Grace’s warm brown gaze met with hers. “Have you given up altogether? There is still time to find a husband. I can host another party, or appeal to Mr. Lewis for more time.”
She smiled at her grace’s enthusiasm. “It isn’t necessary. I have decided a loveless marriage is not for me. It seems best for me to accept my fate rather than fight it.”
Grace grinned warmly and tipped her chin up. “Lord knows I am grateful for the love I shared with my duke. I do hope you find a love match of your own someday.” She sighed before focusing on Amelia. “My nephew would not have anything to do with your change of heart, would he?”
Amelia folded her hands nervously, all the while hoping her expression would not betray her. “Of course not, that is preposterous. All the time I spent in thought changed my mind.” She breathed a sigh of relief when Grace appeared satisfied with her answer.
“Very well then, dear, I give you my blessing.”
* * * *
Amelia played with a loose tendril of hair as she stared into the mirror. “You will need to pack all of my mourning weeds, but do not waste space on my normal gowns. I will order a new American wardrobe once my time of mourning is past.” She spun around to face Edna. “As for my other effects, only pack what is here at Abernathy House.”
Edna threw a smile over her shoulder as she continued placing items from Amelia’s wardrobe into a trunk. “Are you quite certain you do not wish to have any items from Everthorne?”
“I have no intention of becoming comfortable in America; it will not become my home. Nor do I wish to travel heavy. One trunk and my valise will be plenty.” She stood and traipsed to the door. “See that everything is in order by sundown. It simply will not do to be scrambling about in the morning.”
Edna stopped her task and stood, her eyes leveled on Amelia. “I am glad you reconsidered the move. I know it was not easy for you.” Her lips lifted in a glorious curve. “Might you also reconsider and allow me to retrieve a few items from Everthorne? Perhaps a miniature of your parents, or their wedding bands? I can hardly stand the idea of leaving it all behind.”
Amelia closed her eyes. “Very well, but see that everything fits in one trunk.”
She slipped out the door and down the hall before Edna could make any more requests that she did not have the energy to deal with. It would not benefit her to concentrate on what she would be leaving behind; rather, her focus needed to remain fixed on what must be done. Otherwise her courage and composure would be lost.
