Chapter Nineteen
Amelia had always liked London. Her father had insisted they spend most of their time in the city as she was growing up, so she enjoyed the hustle and bustle, the people and the noise. But as they turned into the drive of Hugh’s city estate a few days later, she felt less enthusiastic to be in Town than she normally would have.
It wasn’t that their trip had been unpleasant. With Lizzie in the carriage with them, their threesome had been jolly, indeed. She loved watching Hugh as he interacted with his sister. His gentleness and patience made her think about him as a father, and that idea thrilled her beyond measure, for she’d always wanted a large family.
They’d played games, read out loud to each other and had some good talks. And at night, at roadside inns? Well, Hugh had been happy to remind her how lovely it was to be alone together, too.
But now she thought of Brighthollow and the wonderful time she’d had on the estate. Things would change in London. Hugh would have matters to attend to and so would she. That bubble of privacy and contentment was gone, and she would have to navigate her way in her marriage here in this more complicated world.
Still, she smiled as the carriage stopped. Hugh helped his sister out first and then her. He held her hand a little too long as they faced the pretty brick façade of the estate.
“Welcome home, Your Grace,” he murmured low. “I hope you will like this place a little more now than when we left it.”
She smiled, for it was like he’d read her mind and her worries. His low tone soothed her immediately. It was funny how he could do that.
“I already do,” she reassured him as she slid her hand into the crook of his elbow and squeezed gently. “I cannot wait to see what pleasures London brings us.”
They entered the foyer and he leaned in. “Neither can I.”
As he released her, he let his hand glide down her back and tap her backside very lightly. She jolted at the inappropriate and utterly intoxicating touch and glared at him. Damnable man and his easy seduction. Now all she could think about was that chamber upstairs, and she couldn’t go up and drag him there until she finished with…
“Your Graces and Lady Elizabeth!” Murphy gushed as he took coats and motioned for servants to take them away. “How wonderful to have you home. You’ve several messages, and supper will be ready in less than an hour if you’re of a mind to rest.”
“Oh, I could certainly use a moment,” Lizzie said with a girlish laugh. “And I cannot wait to see my old chamber. Is it just the same, Murphy?”
He smiled at her. “Just the same, my lady. We did not dare move a thing in the hopes you would return soon.”
Lizzie’s face lit up and she clapped her hands together. In that moment, there was no doubt of her youth, and Amelia smiled. She liked seeing Hugh’s sister so bright and excited and carefree. This was what Amelia wanted for her and would fight to make sure she had during their time in London.
“Go on up then, Lizzie,” Hugh said. “Reacquaint yourself with our home.”
“I will. And I won’t be late for supper. I want to plan every moment of our walk in the park tomorrow with Amelia.” She leaned and kissed Amelia’s cheek before she scrambled up the stairs, calling out her maid’s name with every exuberant step.
“Being here looks to be good for her,” Amelia mused as Murphy bowed away and left them alone a moment.
Hugh smiled as he reached out to cup her cheek. “Being with you is good for her. Thank you for being so kind to her. And to me. You’ve brought new life to us both.”
Amelia’s lips parted at those sweet words and the warm expression on his handsome face as he said them. “It’s easy to be kind to her,” she said with a shrug that belied how important this moment was to her.
“I may be more difficult, but I appreciate it nonetheless. I hope one day I will even deserve it.” He ducked his head and brushed his lips to hers briefly. Far too briefly. Then he backed away. “Murphy will leave my messages in my study—I think I’ll take the time before supper to review them. Yours will likely be in your chamber before we choose a room to transform into your own study. I’ll see you later.”
She watched him go, her heart throbbing a bit too hard, a bit too loud. Telling her things that she still struggled to hear. How could she feel so drawn to this man when she’d truly believed herself in love with another just over a month before? What did that say about her and her fickle nature?
“Perhaps it only says youthoughtyou wanted boyish sweetness and in fact you needed something very different,” she muttered as she moved up the stairs toward their chamber and whatever peace she might find there.
But she knew it might not be any peace at all, for her heart fluttered and thoughts of her husband would likely plague her until they met again at supper.
Amelia drew a deep breath of cleansing air as she and Lizzie walked through the park together the next day. Normally such exercise cleared her mind, but today she was distracted by thoughts of…well, of a great many things. Chief amongst them was her husband. Hugh was so changed. That struck her every time she spent a moment with him. Kinder, softer, sweeter and so much more seductive.
She shivered as she thought of how he’d made love to her last night and then held her in his arms. She’d never wanted to leave.
“You are woolgathering again,” Lizzie giggled as they rounded a bend in the path.
Amelia shook off the troubling thoughts. “I am. It must be the travel that is making my mind wander.”
“Are youcertainthat is all it is?”
Amelia faced her with a forced laugh. “Of course, what else would it be?”
