Rule number two. She’d been following rule number two.
Turning to stare at Mr. Toad, Amelia shook her head.Stupid man. He needed to stop making assumptions about her.
Determined to set the record straight, Amelia marched out of her chamber and nearly ran right into Fanny, causing the maid to drop the linens she’d been carrying.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Amelia gasped.
“Pardon, my lady.”
“Oh, no! It was my fault,” Amelia insisted. “I wasn’t looking where I was going, and I shouldn’t have come around the corner so fast. Let me—” She crouched down to help gather what had been a pile of neatly folded cloths.
“Thank you, my lady, but I was running too. Lots happening tonight.” Having collected the linens into a new stack, although not nearly as tidy as they had been before, the maid rose with an awkward smile.
But… What was so busy about this evening? A few hairs stood up on the back of Amelia’s neck. More than once, Mr. Beckworth had mentioned that she might be in danger. “Has something happened?” she asked.
If Amelia was in danger, and Mr. Beckworth had charged himself with protecting her, wouldn’t that put him in danger too?
“All of the men are working down in the cove.” Fanny sounded unconcerned.
“Oh,” Amelia said.Down in the cove.Which meant…Oh!
Smuggling was at hand!
“Does that mean Mr. Beckworth isn’t at home now?”
“No, my lady. These little missions of his can go rather late. I imagine he’ll be knackered when he returns.”
How could Amelia have her conversation with him if he wasn’t here?
“Thank you, Fanny,” Amelia said.
“Of course, my lady.” Amelia watched the maid scurry away and, not knowing exactly when Mr. Beckworth would return, moved quickly.
Emboldened because all of this wasonly temporary, Amelia rummaged through the wardrobe in her chamber until her hand landed on a very silky, very flimsy piece of fabric. Even before she had it all the way out, she knew the garment was exactly what she needed.
It, and a matching robe, only required a little freshening. Once she’d discarded her day dress for the scandalous ensemble, however, staring into the looking glass on her vanity, she nearly lost her courage.
But no. If her time at Smuggler’s Manor was only temporary, this could be her only chance…
She could do this.
Shewantedto do this.
With a nod, Amelia stepped away from the mirror.
Not allowing herself to reconsider her decision, she tiptoed into the corridor, and past the stairs until she was standing outside Mr. Beckworth’s chamber.
Recognizing that this was a rather momentous occasion, she turned the nob, entered, and oh, so quietly closed the door behind her.
She was quite willing to wait for as long as it took.
Once she got a few candles burning about the room, Amelia claimed the chair that was identical to the one in her own chamber and made herself comfortable.
And waited.
Because, he may have walked out on her earlier, but tonight, he’d have nowhere else to go.
WE NEED TO TALK
