“But how will--”
“Not to worry, Lewis. I would be happy to chaperone her, if it pleases you.” The duchess leaned toward him and batted her thick lashes. “Having Amelia under my roof would be a comfort.”
Amelia pressed her lips together to keep her mouth from falling open at the duchess’s astute intervention. Old hand indeed. Now, if only Uncle Lewis would cooperate. With bated breath, she awaited his reply.
“I had not considered procuring a chaperone, and I do not look forward to traveling without Amelia.” He sighed, his brows drawing together. “However, your offer is generous, and it appears that it would please you both.”
His emerald gaze locked with Amelia’s as he asked, “How much time is required for you to properly prepare?”
“Two months,” Amelia blurted, then chided herself for her haste. Why did she not ask for more time? A full year would have gotten her out of mourning, thereby making the task of finding a husband much easier. But, alas, he never would have agreed to such a lengthy period.
He rested his chin on his fists and closed his eyes for a moment before he opened them again. “This time frame is agreeable to you, duchess?”
“Indeed, I should be delighted to chaperone her for two months. Or even longer, if necessary.”
“You are very generous, but she will not need more time than we have agreed upon.”
Grace arched a conspiratorial eyebrow. “Are we in agreement then, Lewis?”
“It would be rude of me to deny such a reasonable request.” His gaze locked on Amelia’s. “Two months--and not a day longer.”
Dashing from her chair, Amelia threw herself into Uncle Lewis’s arms, “Thank you, thank you so much. You have no idea what this means to me.”
“All thanks should be directed at her grace. It is her generous offer that is allowing you to stay a bit longer.”
Amelia pressed her lips against his warm cheek before returning her attention to the duchess. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your generosity will not be wasted on me.”
Grace took her hands, a jubilant expression upon her face. “You are most welcome, my dear.”
A maid entered the drawing room and set up afternoon tea. Amelia’s thoughts raced as she picked up a delicate china cup, failing to notice she had forgotten to add sugar until she took a sip and shuddered at the bitterness.
Uncle Lewis and Grace chatted long into the afternoon, finalizing the details of her chaperonage, but Amelia hardly heard a word.
Before she knew it, the pair became engaged in small talk. Amelia could not help but notice how splendidly they were getting on. Why, if she did not know better, she would have said they favored one another.
She did not have time for studying them. She turned her focus back to the task at hand. True, she would be staying in England, but it was not yet a permanent arrangement. She would not be able to rest until she found a spouse.
SCANDALOUS ENDEAVORS
CHAPTER THREE
Amelia found ithard to believe the time for Uncle Lewis to depart had already arrived. The past week had gone by so quickly after he agreed to allow Grace to chaperone her. Amelia could not have been more delighted to remain behind in London.
Mere hours ago, her lady’s maid, Edna, helped her dress and fashioned her hair into a simple plait for breakfast. Now, here Amelia stood next to the Duchess of Abernathy on her expansive stone porch. One of her hands rested on the cool ledge, while she used the other to wave Uncle Lewis off.
The farewell felt bittersweet. Despite her thrill at remaining behind in England, she also knew how much she would miss him. The knowledge that she never planned to leave England only served to compound her sadness.
She could not help but be torn between her happiness at remaining and her sadness at seeing her only living relative depart. Her heart grew heavy. Perhaps he would make the voyage back for her wedding?
Amelia wanted to go to the docks and properly see him off, but he had refused the request. The docks were no place for ladies, unless they were sailing. He did not want the duchess and Amelia there, alone and vulnerable, after he boarded the ship.
It was true, the docks held wide appeal for unsavory types. Pickpockets and the like. Amelia acceded to his wishes without argument. She did not want to upset him by arguing overmuch for fear he would change his mind about leaving her behind.
She continued to watch his hired hack as it grew increasingly smaller on the horizon before becoming consumed by London’s thick traffic.
Amelia tipped her head toward the indigo sky. “It is a beautiful day for travel.”
“Indeed it is,” Grace replied. “Just listen to the birds tweet their splendid songs. Spring is in the air.”
