A light of triumph enhanced my grandmother’s familiar smile. She had a habit of pushing things along until she got her way. Was her illness a front to manipulate me? Guilt encompassed my entire being. The ashen hue of her skin told its own story. Grandmama would never fake an injury simply to get her way.
“You are a dear girl, Amelia, one I will gladly call family,” Grandmama said.
“Thank you.” Amelia wiped a knuckle at the corner of her eye, still not looking at me. She was upset, and with good reason. I hadn’t asked for her hand in the best of circumstances. Had things played out differently, I would have called on her yesterday. The damage was done, and we were engaged, which was what we’d wanted from the start.
With a twinkling grin, Grandmama nudged my arm. She was pleased to no end by what she’d instigated. “Now I think I will go lie down. Oliver, see your fiancée home and make your formal announcement to her family.”
“Yes, Grandmama.” If her remaining time in this world was short, I would do everything in my power to grant her last wish. My duty to my title and my marriage to Amelia depended on it. She was my best friend and the woman I loved. I had lost sight of that in my pursuit of Noah. I couldn’t lose sight of that again.
Chapter Fourteen
Lord Noah Peterson
I sat back on the horsehair seat in the earl’s carriage across from Amelia and Oliver. The events in the drawing room still stunned me. I should have known the duchess would take things into her own hands. Her reasons cut into my soul. Her death would affect us all.
Amelia had been silent since we’d left the drawing room. Her head was turned away as she stared out the window into the blustery landscape, the brim of her bonnet hiding her face from view. The rain continued to pelt down on the roof of the carriage. The duke’s London home was only a block away from Amelia’s home, but the weather had made it impossible for us to walk to the ducal mansion.
“I must say, today has been full of surprises. Oliver proposed, and you accepted.” I tapped my cane on the roof, and the carriage jerked while the horses pulled the heavy equipage. She was understandingly upset over the duchess’s declaration. Amelia had known the woman her entire life.
“Only because Lady Gwendolyn forced him into it,” Amelia said in a tight voice.
Oliver colored the slightest bit at her chastisement. “I told you I would marry you. I just needed to find the right time.”
“You’ve had thirteen years. How much more time did you need?” Amelia looked at him, her stubborn chin lifted. She’dbeen shocked by the turn of events; I could read the struggle in her eyes.
“Come now, Amelia, no matter how it came about, the end result is the same.” I shifted in my seat, gripping the strap while the carriage merged into traffic. I was privy to both of their situations. While the proposal happened at the duchess’s urging, both parties had already come to the same conclusion.
“I beg to differ, Noah. I...it was humiliating.” She frowned, abject misery bringing her mouth down. I sympathized with her struggle.
“Then why did you say yes?” Oliver bit out. He’d been put on the spot, and although he’d committed to marrying her, he still had voiced his doubts.
“Because I was afraid if I said no, you’d never ask me again.” She glared at him. “You promised to marry me, and then you dragged your heels.”
“I gave you my word, Amelia, and I am insulted you would doubt it.” Oliver crossed his arms and gripped his hands into fists. “I just needed more time.”
“So you said before. Is there someone else you fancy?” she asked, meeting my regard before returning her attention to Oliver.
He shot a glance in my direction, his cheeks flushing. “No, there is no other woman for me than you, Amelia.”
For a brief second, I wasn’t sure if she’d bend until one slender hand reached over and clasped Oliver’s. “I am sorry if I doubted you. It has been a very trying week for me and after what your grandmother disclosed for you as well.”
He curled his fingers around her gloved ones. “I wasn’t even aware of the extent of her illness until she begged off last night.”
“When you said she missed dinner with the Queen, I didn’t believe it. I’m sorry.” Amelia sniffled, resting her head onOliver’s shoulder. “She mentioned a month might be too long. I think we should move up the date. To Sunday.”
