“Where are you going? Dessert will be served next!” Nancy chirped.
Stephen gave a genuine smile. “I’m afraid I do not have a sweet tooth. You see, in the ton,the ladies withdraw after the dinner tothe drawing room, leaving the gentlemen behind to sip port and discuss important matters.”
“Do you mean gossiping?” Marjory asked.
“I do mean gossiping. But seeing as there is only one of me and more of you, I shall withdraw myself. Good night to you all. Sleep well tonight, if you can. We have a busy day tomorrow.”
His gaze fell on Amelia as he spoke, his words heavy with meaning.
She could not shake off the shiver ofdesirethat swept through her when their eyes met.
Oh, dear.
CHAPTER 13
Amelia could not remember the last time she had sat in such a fine carriage. The seats were thickly upholstered and lined infur,of all things. The whole structure was so well sprung that she could barely feel any jolt at all from the road beneath them.
Father had a carriage like this.With dark green lacquer and rugs inside, we could wrap ourselves up and stay warm and cozy on our journeys. He would sit on one side with Mama, the two of them nestled up together, while my sisters and I sat on the other side, whispering and laughing and looking out the window.
I imagine we looked like a real, happy family, and not a shameful secret.
She closed her eyes for a moment, swallowing hard. Now, taking cabs was a luxury they could not afford, and on the rare occasions they did, the interiors of the carriages were less than pleasant. The seats, thin and barely upholstered, dug into theirbacksides and legs, the hard backs jolting against their spines. There was always a thoroughly vile smell in cabs, a pungent mixture of liquor, vomit, and other people’s farts and belches.
Ugh. No wonder most Londoners preferred to walk.
Thiscarriage smelled faintly of oranges and soap. There were no crumbs or bits of dirt on the floor, no dust. It had clearly been cleaned recently, and from what she recalled, the outside of the carriage was a stunning black lacquer.
This carriage probably costs more money than I’ll ever earn in my entire life.
Amelia removed her hand from the furry seat and twined her fingers on her lap. Nancy sat opposite, chattering away to Letitia. Marjory sat beside Amelia, reading.
The journey to Redcliffe Manor seemed to be taking a horribly long time. She longed to fidget, but wouldn’t that be rude?
“The carriage carrying our things will reach the manor ahead of us,” Letitia said suddenly, cutting into Amelia’s thoughts. “The maids will have unpacked it all by the time we arrive. Won’t that be convenient?”
Amelia wasn’t sure she liked the idea of maids and footmen pawing through her things or her sisters’ things. She thought of Jane, the beautiful housemaid, and swallowed, shifting.
Jane, with a handful of other servants, would be traveling in the second carriage. The second carriage was laden with luggage and also contained Tiny and Dust. She was trying not to think about what it was like, traveling in a carriage with those two beasts.
She wondered if Jane had ever looked at Stephen and imagined a future with him. Sometimes housemaidsdidmarry their employers, rare though it was. Perhaps Stephen was a strange, wild enough man to do something so shocking.
And perhaps Jane had considered that. Amelia had certainly noticed the quick, hopeful glances the maid had cast at him.
“Is Jane one of the maids we are bringing with us?” she ventured, trying to sound calm and unconcerned.
Apparently, it did not work.
Letitia threw her a quick, knowing smile. “She is indeed. A pretty girl, is she not? The footmen are all a-quiver around her. The rules are that maids should have no suitors. That’s standard in any great house, but I always thought it unfair that faithful, hardworking servants should be forced to live lonely lives. I don’t mind if the servants have discreet romantic attachments. I shall miss them if they leave to get married, of course, but really, one cannot be too hard-hearted.”
“No, I suppose not,” Amelia murmured. “And does Jane have any suitors? She is so beautiful, I’m sure that she must have her pick of the men.”
“Not that I am aware of. Several of the footmen and the head gardener did their best to win her attention, but she would not be swayed. I imagine she has her sights set on a bigger prize.”
Amelia’s skin prickled.Bigger prize? What did that mean? Surely, Letitia could not be referring to Stephen.
No, that was madness. Madness! But then, hadn’t Jane given him quick, hopeful little looks? He was a handsome man, that was undeniable, and there was a mysterious air about him that some women might find fascinating.
Not Amelia, of course. She was far too sensible for that. Stephen could be as mysterious and handsome as he pleased, and she would be entirely unmoved.Entirely.
