His hazel eyes held an intensity that made her catch her breath. It was just as Margaret had said—he was speaking all the words she wanted to hear. It made Amelia uncomfortable, wondering if there was any truth to them.Be careful, her mind warned.
“I was very young then,” she said lightly. “You couldn’t have noticed me.”
Although, to be fair, she’d made a point to be near him at every opportunity. Aside from flinging herself at his feet, she’d done everything possible to gain his attention.
“How could I fail to see what was before me?” Lord Lisford tucked her hand into the crook of his arm as he flicked the reins and began taking the horses in a leisurely drive along the banks of the Serpentine. “You are as beautiful now as you were then. Only now, you’ve grown into a woman.”
His smooth tone of voice heightened her wariness, though Amelia was glad to be beside him. She said nothing, fully aware that his compliments were meaningless.
“I had to keep my distance for a time,” the viscount confessed. “Even now, I feel as if I cannot see you without hurting your sister.”
Amelia relaxed a little, for that much was true. “Itisdifficult,” she admitted. “And now that my parents have returned to London, we will be moving back into our own home.”
Which wouldn’t make their circumstances any easier. She didn’t like sneaking around, but what other choice was there?
“Perhaps I should speak with your father, Lord Lanfordshire, and discuss matters with him.”
That wouldn’t do any good at all. Her father was furious with the viscount and would as soon throw Lord Lisford out before he’d allow him to pay any calls.
“I don’t know that it would do any good,” Amelia said. “He’s very angry about what happened.” Even now, she didn’t know how to ease the way. “I could try to talk to Papa, but I know he doesn’t want you involved with our family.”
“Surely you must know how deeply I care for you,” Lord Lisford said, and his tone sounded so sincere, she almost might have believed it. Shewantedit to be the truth. Except for the fact that this was the first time they’d had a conversation longer than two minutes.
Her common sense remained wary while her wayward heart rejoiced. Amelia forced herself to think clearly. “This is the first time we’ve spent together. Though I’m flattered, don’t you think it’s a little early for you to care deeply about me?”
“Four years,” he said, reaching to take her hand in his. “I’ve been watching you for a long time. Waiting for you.”
Perhaps he meant it to be a compliment, but Amelia found it disturbing. He had courted Margaret only three years ago. Did he believe she was so naïve that she would believe he was already in love with her? Or did he speak this way to all women?
Her sister’s warnings could not be ignored. “I don’t want you to speak words of flattery to me,” Amelia began, deciding that truth was the best approach. “You may like me a great deal, but we hardly know each other.” She wanted to be acquainted with therealLord Lisford, not the dashing viscount who spoke compliments at every turn.
He was so taken aback by her reply, the smoldering mask dropped for an instant. “But—I thought—”
“If it is your wish to court me, by all means do so, but don’t treat me as if I haven’t a brain in my head. I know when a man is talking with wool in his mouth.”
His confusion was replaced by an honest smile. “You aren’t like any other women, are you?”
“Of course not. I believe a woman should speak her mind instead of pretending to be something she isn’t.” Amelia sent him an open smile, hoping he wasn’t disappointed by her candor. Honestly, though, she saw no reason to play games.
This time, she saw a hint of candor in his answering smile. “I really do like you, you know.”
“Of course you do. I’m quite likable.” Amelia’s heart twisted with elation when he dropped the façade and spoke the truth. Even so, she needed him to understand the woman she was. “I’m not as empty-headed as the sheep that flock to your side at every ball.”
He blinked at that. “No, I don’t suppose you are.” Brushing a lock of hair back, he added, “This isn’t at all the way I envisioned our drive. I somehow thought you liked me better.”
Oh, she did—there was no doubt of that. But pretty words meant nothing.
She straightened her shoulders and offered a compliment to soothe him. “You are quite handsome. Anyone can see that. But I think we need time to get acquainted before you speak with my father, don’t you?”
“You’re right,” Lord Lisford admitted. “And forgive me for speaking so boldly. It was just…I thought that’s what you wanted to hear.”
Amelia let out a sigh. “Perhaps the sheep enjoy that, but I would prefer the truth, above all else.”
“You arenothinglike your older sister,” he remarked.
“Of course not. Margaret obeys every rule, down to the last punctuation mark. I, however, believe that certain rules may be bent under the right circumstances.”
The smoldering look was back, and Amelia forced her attention back to the clear waters of the Serpentine. Charles Newport was a devastatingly handsome man with a great deal of experience wooing women. And shedidwant to be wooed, but only after she knew this man. She didn’t want empty words.
