Once Margaret was out of earshot, Amelia studied the linen game board. Each of the squares was embroidered with a figure, and from some of the stitches, David suspected that the girls had made it when they were learning to sew.
“There’s another square with the same figure, two rows down,” she whispered, moving Margaret’s maiden there.
“She’s going to know what you’ve done.”
“Of course she will. But where’s the fun in following the rules?” Amelia reached for the teetotum, but he stopped her.
“We’ll wait on your sister to return.”
She sent him a chagrined smile. “You and Margaret are perfectly suited to one another, do you know that? Both of you prefer to obey the rules.”
“I think there’s a rebellious streak within your sister even greater than yours,” he predicted. “She’s not as obedient as she looks.”
He’d met a few women who outwardly followed every rule. No one would have ever expected them to rebel as much as they had.
“You’re wrong.” Amelia moved her tin dog a square forward. “Margaret is excessively obedient, to a fault.”
“And I suspect obedience is a fault that you do not possess.”
She glanced up at him, and her green eyes sobered. “No, I suppose not. I’ve always believed in honesty. Too many women hide behind the rules, afraid to speak their minds.”
He leaned forward. “I believe that is why I like you, Miss Andrews. You would never retreat from the truth.” With her, he was at ease, knowing she didn’t voice falsehoods.
Idly, he spun the teetotum, and the hexagonal top whirled before it landed on a one. She stared down at the board, as if he’d made her uncomfortable with the words. It had been merely an observation; yet, he’d seen the flush of embarrassment on her cheeks. Before she could gather a response, he reassured her, “It is good to have an ally and a friend.”
Her shoulders visibly lowered, and she let out a breath. “Allies, yes.” She glanced back at her sister, but David kept his eyes upon her.
Although he knew it was a mistake, he couldn’t stop himself from saying what needed to be said. “As someone who would like to remain your ally and friend, let me offer my advice. Stay away from the viscount, for he’ll only bring you down into ruin. The man doesn’t know when to stop gambling.”
She still wouldn’t look at him. “You may be right. But I believe there is a good man in him. He’s made many mistakes, but that doesn’t mean he’s irredeemable.”
She was far too naïve in the ways of men. Lord Lisford had chosen his own path to ruin, and he didn’t deserve salvation from an innocent like Miss Andrews.
“Some men are better off left alone.” He picked up his game piece, toying with it a moment before he set it back down. “And you should know that they don’t change. No matter what they say.”
“I wish you would stop treating me as if I’m wearing blinders,” she sighed. “Idosee Lord Lisford’s faults. But I also believe he has a good heart, beneath it all. And that’s worth saving.”
“None of us wants to see you hurt.”
“I know it.” With reluctance, she put Margaret’s game piece back where it had been. “But believe me when I say my eyes are open.”
“The only person who can change the viscount’s behavior is Lord Lisford himself,” he said.
“And what of you, Lord Castledon?” she ventured. “When will you change your ways and start living again?”
Never, he wanted to say. Too many years had passed, and he’d grown accustomed to being alone. He toyed with his tin knight again, tilting it left and right. “I have no need to change my ways, Miss Andrews. I have several estates in England and in Wales, all of which are prosperous. I provide well for my daughter, and she has everything a girl could want.”
“Except a mother, you mean.” Amelia’s voice was soft, reminding him of his purpose.
“Yes. And that is why I am here. To find a woman capable of mothering my only child.” He suspected Miss Harrow would be the best choice, but it was reasonable to consider other possibilities. “I saw Lady Sarah Carlisle at Lady Rumford’s soirée last night.”
Before he could ask why she was there, Amelia shook her head. “Absolutely not.”
Though he wasn’t intending for Lady Sarah to be a matrimonial candidate—especially after what had happened before—it surprised him that Amelia held no sympathy for the young woman’s plight. “You’re judging her based on her brother’s behavior?” He knew that Lord Strathland had been a thorn in the family’s side and that he’d hired men to attack their family. The man had been imprisoned in an asylum for the past four years, from what David remembered.
“I will only say this—Lady Sarah needs to find her own husband without my intervention.” She toyed with her game piece,staring down at the linen. It was the first time he’d seen her this upset, and he couldn’t guess what had happened.
“Let us talk about your matchmaking again,” he suggested. “Do you honestly think Margaret would make a good wife for me?”
