Amelia smiled half-heartedly. “It is necessary to my plan.” She tilted her head in Sarah’s direction. “You can ask your brother to retrieve a book that the duchess has agreed to lend you.”
Amelia directed her gaze to Grace. “Then when Lord Roseington enters the room, I will find a way to trip into his embrace.” Amelia picked up her glass. “Lady Sarah will wait in the hall until she hears the commotion, then enter the room and catch us.” She took a drink, needing to wet her parched throat.
Sarah grinned at her, a light rosy hue ensconced upon her cheeks. “I will scream at the sight. My racket will surely draw a crowd and you will be compromised.”
“It is perfect, ladies, and sure to work without a hitch.” Grace set her fork down. “The whole ton will come running to witness it. I do not believe I could have devised a better plan myself.”
Amelia’s face lit up at the compliment, and Sarah grinned like a wicked child. The scheme did seem rather fool proof. Once it was done, she would have to wed Lord Roseington and would remain in England permanently. With her heart full of joy she lifted her glass for a celebratory sip.
“Ahem, ladies.” A masculine baritone sounded from behind her.
Amelia stood and turned around to see who had intruded on their meal. Her gaze landed on the most perfect man she had ever seen. Tall and muscular with onyx hair and gorgeous sapphire eyes. A peculiar jolt of tingles ran through her body as their gazes met. Her mind raced as she tried to figure out who he might be.
Grace walked toward him. “Come in, dear; join us and have some lunch, won’t you?” She motioned with her head toward Amelia and Sarah. “Allow me to introduce Lady Sarah, Marquess Havenshire’s daughter, and Lady Amelia, the Viscountess of Everthorne. She is staying here under my chaperonage.”
With another slight bow, he said, “It is my honor to make your acquaintances.” His gaze met Amelia’s again as he straightened back to his full height. A rakish grin sat proudly upon on his full lips.
“Ladies, this is my nephew, the Duke of Goldstone.”
Amelia smiled back at him, her knees suddenly weak.
“It is lovely to meet you, Your Grace.”
Sarah’s greeting broke through the sudden fog clouding Amelia’s mind. “Pleased to meet you, Your Grace,” Amelia replied. How had she not known about him?
Grace motioned for him to join them as she took her seat, signaling them to sit back down. Amelia nibbled her bottom lip as she watched him move.
“I assure you the pleasure is all mine, ladies.” He lowered himself into a chair.
Amelia’s stomach tightened. What if he heard them talking before he came in? Her heartbeat quickened to the point that she could feel the blood pulsing through her veins. He could ruin everything, or worse, think poorly of her. No longer hungry, she folded her hands in her lap. Why did she care what a stranger thought of her? She needed to get hold of herself. As hard as she tried to keep from looking at him, her gaze kept wondering back.
“The Duke of Goldstone will be staying here for the remainder of the season.” Grace grinned in Amelia’s direction, then turned her attention back to him. “I had not expected you to be joining us for luncheon, dear”
“I finished my business earlier than planned.” He took a seat, smiling at Grace. “When I return home to Glasgow it will be with good news, but I do not wish to bore you ladies with my business matters.”
Amelia’s heart skipped a beat.Glasgow. He’s from Scotland.
Grace set her fork down. “You could never bore me, Richard. I love hearing about your business, and you are well aware of the fact.”
He replied, “All the same I will spare you the details.”
His masculine voice wrapped around Amelia, and an odd flutter took hold in her abdomen. She had never responded to a man in this way before, but somehow knew it to be a dangerous reaction. She needed to get away. “If you will excuse me, I am suddenly in need of rest.”
“Yes, of course, dear. I will see you this evening,” Grace said.
The duke winked at her as she exited her chair. Heat flared in her core, spreading through her body. Mercy, the man was unsettling. She exited the room without another glance in his direction.
* * * *
Richard strolled to the sideboard and topped of his tumbler of whisky. Why had his aunt failed to mention her other house guest? Had he known a beautiful young woman would be in residence, he would not have committed to staying for the whole season. But then, the lady wore mourning weeds. Could she be a widow? It would explain her title. “Viscountess of Everthorne.” The words rolled smoothly off of his tongue.
No. A widow, no matter how young, would not have need of a chaperone. Something else was going on. But what? He moved to the window. The sun poured through it warming him almost as much as the liquor. Or was it the memory of how taken he’d been with Lady Amelia’s beauty that warmed him? Bloody hell.
“There you are, dear. I thought we might spend some time together.”
He turned his head as Aunt Grace breezed into the room. “I was just thinking of you.” Rather he was thinking of Aunt Grace’s house guest, but he would not admit to that. He sat on the settee across from her.
“Then my timing is serendipitous.” She flipped open her fan.
