And free of her stays—providing her with more air.
By God, was she skipping to keep up with him? Leopold slowed his pace.
“To my estate, yes.” Despite having lived most of his life in the city, the subtle hint of salt in the air beckoned him.
“We can’t be far from the sea.” Either she’d been paying attention to their direction or she sensed it as well.
“We aren’t.” Leopold replied absently. Fitz was holding the door to the carriage open, and he performed an awkward bow when they arrived.
“Morning, m’lady,” he said.
Leopold’s old friend was as unfamiliar with gently bred women as Leopold was.
And today, Amelia did, in fact, look every inch a lady, wearing a maroon coat Mrs. Billings had foreseen Amelia would need, over a pink dress that peeked out from beneath the hem. She wore her hair in the same style as the night before, and in the sunlight, Leopold noticed a few hints of bronze woven amongst the golden strands.
She looked quite pleased with herself.
“Good morning, Mr. Fitz… herbert?” All that charm turned on poor old Fitz.
“Fitzgerald, actually.”
Lady Amelia cast Leopold a teasing glance, and he rolled his shoulders uncomfortably.
He’d gone two nights now on little sleep, but he couldn’t blame last night’s tossing and turning on the quality of the mattress.
To be fair, he couldn’t blame Amelia either.
His urges were his own problem. Unfortunately, even after dealing with those, sleep had been elusive.
He ought to have known better than to dwell on the past. Specifically,hispast.
When his younger self cashed in on his first investment, he had imagined the money would change things—changehimsomehow. It was the first and only time he’d known optimism.
It hadn’t lasted long.
He preferred to focus on the present, the only time that mattered.
Because he controlled his own actions, and therefore, his destiny.
He immediately felt the universe mocking him as he watched Lady Amelia climb into the carriage with Fitz’s assistance.
Leopold shot his old friend a scowl. “You might as well ride ahead. We’ll discuss your reports later this afternoon.” Leopold would ride in the carriage.
“Sure thing, Boss.” Fitz’s orders to the other riders faded as Leopold closed the door behind him.
They had less than ten miles to travel this morning, which gave him only a few hours to garner useful information from her—if there was any to be had.
He needed to shake whatever mood this was and get on with business.
Once he had her safely ensconced in Smuggler’s Manor, she wouldn’t pose such a distraction.
He wouldn’tallowit.
Leopold had a thriving business to run. If she expected him to sit for tea, take long walks along the cliffs, or pay visits to the neighbors, she’d be sorely disappointed.
God, he hated tea.
Lady Amelia peered out the window almost eagerly as the carriage rolled back onto the road.
