The room filled again with the trio’s exuberant laughter.
“Yes, you will want to choose a comfortable match.” Grace set her teacup down with a slight clink. “Who else have you considered?”
“Lord Roleings might do well. I have always been fond of him. And we have gotten on well in the past.”
Sarah’s face twisted up in an odd way. “He’s a known rake, Amelia. Even if Lord Roleings compromised you, he might still refuse marriage. You would be completely and irrevocably ruined.”
The duchess waved her hand in the air. “Come now, he’s not completely dishonorable. He simply fails to hide his affairs as successfully as other bachelors do.” Turning from Lady Sarah to Amelia, the duchess added, “It would be highly believable that he compromised you with little evidence to support the fact. His reputation for being a rake would benefit you.”
“I imagine you are quite right, duchess. All the same, Sarah made an astute observation.” Amelia nodded at Sarah. “I would like an honorable husband. One who has not been labeled as a rake by the ton’s occupants.”
Sarah moved her hand slightly. “The scandal of it all would be more easily forgotten if you married a man of good character.”
Amelia massaged her temples in frustration. There must be an eligible man in London whom she could be happy with.
“By God, I have the ideal candidate.” Excitement dripped from Sarah’s voice. “My brother. The next Marquess of Havenshire. He is in want of a wife and would be hard-pressed to find one more suitable than you, Lady Amelia. Why, he said himself, not even a fortnight ago, he would find a wife this season if he had to marry a merchant’s daughter.”
“Lord Roseington would be a fine match,” Grace agreed. “The two of you are already well-acquainted, and he is most honorable. He wouldn’t deny you marriage if you became compromised in his company.”
The room around Amelia seemed to tilt, then right itself again.It would be wonderful to have Sarah as a sister.She closed her eyes for a moment.
“He is a great catch, Lady Sarah, but he is your brother. Could you live with our highhandedness if he hated it...if he hated me?”
“Oh, how you carry on. My dear brother could never hate you.” She smoothed her hand down her skirt. “He may be a tad angry about being ensnared at first. But he would overcome the initial upset, and grow to be happy with you.”
Sarah waved her lace glove-clad hand through the air. “Lady Amelia, I am certain he would grow to love you just as I have. And I could never dislike you. You are like a sister to me. Just think, if the plan works out, we will truly be sisters. Consider how marvelous it would be.”
It would be wonderful to be a part of Sarah’s family, but only if Lord Roseington could be happy with her. What if he could not? Then, it would be a disaster. Could she live with the ill effects?
Grace stood, walked to the hearth, and placed her hand on the mantle. “I think Lord Roseington is a perfect match, Lady Amelia. Truly, you must realize no man will be instantly happy about being duped into matrimony.” She moved her hand to her hip. “Well, with the exception of Lord Shillington, of course.”
They erupted in a fit of laughter. Images of Lord Shillington dressed to the hilt and bumping into ladies filled Amelia’s mind once again.
She snapped out of her laughing fit. “Lady Sarah, you said your brother is determined to marry this season. What makes you think he has not already decided on a lady?”
Sarah shook her head, causing her blond curls to bounce. “He would have mentioned it.” She drew her brows together. “There are a few ladies he’s been courting, but he’s not seriously considering any of them. I am quite certain of it.”
Amelia locked gazes with Grace. “Do you think it a good idea when Lord Roseington is openly courting other ladies?”
“Indeed I do.” Her no-nonsense tone dominated the room. “It shows he’s searching for a bride. And why should that bride not be you?”
Amelia shrugged her shoulders and sighed. “Very well, Lord Roseington it is.”
Sarah beamed at Amelia. “I am so happy. You just watch. My brother will be happy too. Once he gets past having been duped.”
Amelia grinned, despite her reservations. “I hope you are correct in that assumption.”
“I just know I am. You will see.” Sarah stood up and set about smoothing the crinkles from her tangerine silk gown. “Now that everything is settled, I must be going. I have an appointment at the seamstress to get final touches on my new ball gown.”
The duchess clicked her tongue and sauntered back to her seat. “The man is but part of the plan. Now we must determine how to get Lady Amelia compromised. My ball next week will provide the perfect opportunity. But we still lack a well-laid plan.”
As Amelia fiddled with her crape mourning collar, the duchess glanced her way.
“Because you are staying at my home under my chaperonage, you will be able to attend. However, you will not be allowed to dance.”
Sarah dropped back into her chair with a loud swoosh as her skirts billowed into place. “A few more minutes will not interfere with my appointment.”
“Of course you are right, duchess. Have you any ideas?” Amelia asked.
