“Indecent! Robert, he asked me to marry him. You asked me—no! You sought to force me into something that was indecent!”
“He’ll never marry you,” Robert said harshly.
“Oh?”
“It’s a lie. It’s a ploy. He’s disgustingly wealthy, and you are perhaps an heiress, but nowhere near as wealthy as he. He couldn’t possibly be serious. You’re not—”
“I’m not as disgustingly wealthy? Robert, take your hands off me. Contrary to your belief, not every man longs to awaken with wealth alone on the pillow beside him. Now leave me be.”
Robert stiffened and turned sullen. Although the pain of betrayal and shattered dreams was still with her, she was startled by the discoveries she was making. She did not like this side of him.
“You won’t marry him. He’s a bloody patriot.”
“Patriot? I believe the word might well mean many things. And I do intend to marry him.”
A slight cough interrupted them. Amanda swung around to see Lord Cameron. His eyes were alight with amusement and mockery. “Good night, my love,” he said, purposely turning her away from Robert. “I shall return very soon—to discuss the wedding plans, of course.”
She longed to kick him but she didn’t dare. Robert was still before her. She forced herself to smile. “Good night. My love,” she added.
He bowed deeply. At the door he paused, speaking with her father.
In a fury, Robert swung about and left too.
There were more guests bidding her good night. She longed to escape to her room, but she held her ground and maintained her smile.
Damien was the last to leave for his home, an hour north of his uncle’s estate. She kissed him and agreed to ride to Williamsburg with him soon. Then Damien said good night to her father.
“Yes. Good night, young man.”
They shook hands, and Amanda thought that Damien had been right—her father did not like him. She clenched her hands behind her back, wishing that he would not be so obvious.
The door closed. Danielle stood quietly before Lord Sterling, lowering her eyes. “Is there anything else, sir?”
Her voice still held a hint of a French accent, and Amanda thought that even that annoyed her father. He looked at Danielle distastefully, even though she was a wonderful servant. She managed the household staff and slaves, and did so very well, and still Lord Sterling never had a good word for her.
Amanda thought that Danielle stayed because of her. She wasn’t sure. Danielle’s husband and brother had died in the cargo hold of the ship that had brought them to Virginia from Port Royal, Nova Scotia. Her tiny daughter had died in that same hold.
“No. You are dismissed.”
Danielle turned to leave. Lord Sterling quickly shifted his gaze from his servant to his daughter, and the cold distaste remained in his eyes.
“And for you, girl.”
“What is it, Father?” Amanda said wearily.
“Come here.”
She was somewhat surprised by his tone, but too weary to fight him. She strode across the room to stand before him.
“Yes?”
She was stunned when his hand lashed out at her, catching her across the face with such violence that she fell to her knees, her head reeling. She screamed out in her surprise and pain. Danielle, barely out of the room, heard her cry and came rushing toward her.
“Stop!” Lord Sterling commanded Danielle. “It will be a whipping for you. You are dismissed.”
Danielle paused, then continued forward. Crawling to her knees, Amanda raised a hand to stop her. “I’m fine. Danielle,tu peux t’en aller maintenant.” she urged her in French.
Her father seemed to hate even the language. His eyes darkened further with displeasure as he stared down at her. “Don’t you ever go against my word. I made arrangements. You broke them.”
