Margaret let out a slow breath. “I won’t let her ruin everything we’ve worked so hard to create. And if she dares to breathe a word about Aphrodite’s Unmentionables, she’ll regret it.”
It became impossible for Amelia to avoid Viscount Lisford. He’d sent her flowers every day, along with badly written poetry. Worst of all, he shadowed her at every gathering she attended. It seemed that the more she tried to stay away from him, the harder he pursued her.
She needed to open her eyes to the other gentlemen during the Season, but although many were kind and the sort of man her mother would approve of, Amelia found herself comparing them to Lord Castledon.
What is the matter with me?she wondered.He’s meant for Margaret.
The earl would never consider her for a bride, especially after the way she’d made him a list of other candidates and practicallyforced him on her sister. In fact, he’d spent a good deal of time with Miss Harrow, and he’d also spoken with a few other women on the list. But each time she saw him with them, a shard of illogical jealousy poked at her. Sometimes she wished she could stomp her wayward feelings into the ground.
“Miss Andrews?”
When she glanced behind her on the patio, she saw Lord Lisford waiting. She was strongly tempted to pretend that she hadn’t heard him and to march in the other direction. But years of good manners prevented it.
She nodded in greeting to the viscount, who offered his arm. Amelia hesitated for a long moment, not wanting to encourage him. Before she could refuse, he said, “I haven’t gambled in a fortnight now. Ask any man here.”
She said nothing, but he came closer. “I promise you. That day in the gardens was the last time. You were right, you know. If I don’t make changes in my life, I’ll lose everything.”
Before she could leave, he took her hand and guided it to his arm. “Walk with me a moment, and let me tell you how you’ve influenced my life. You were my saving angel.”
Amelia’s stomach twisted in distaste as she recognized the emptiness of his flowery words. But she responded, “I am glad that you’re trying to stop gambling.” It was all she could offer him.
He continued leading her down the garden path, and she was now wishing she’d never taken a single step outside the ballroom.
“It’s more than that,” he said honestly. “I realized how much I need you. Amelia, my love, say that you’ll wed me.”
The wordsDear God, nocame to her lips, but she was prevented from speaking when he mashed his mouth upon hers. She was taken aback, and the next moment, his tongue tried to slip inside her mouth.
Her hand clenched into a fist, and she struck him hard across the jaw, jerking herself free. “No, I won’t marry you.” She wiped her hand across her mouth, still shaken by what he’d done. It was the most dreadful experience, and it left her horrified. “Leave me alone, and don’t ever come near me again.”
A blur of motion distracted her, and the Earl of Castledon emerged from the shadows. “Are you all right, Miss Andrews?”
Amelia knew she ought to be grateful for his interference, but instead, shame flooded through her, that he’d likely seen the viscount kissing her. Her hand also hurt from where she’d struck Lord Lisford. “Yes.” It was her pride that was gravely wounded. She should have known better than to accompany the viscount anywhere at all.
“I would suggest that you leave now,” the earl informed Lord Lisford. The hard edge to his voice made it evident that he would personally escort the viscount away if the man refused.
“You misunderstood what you saw,” the viscount argued. “I asked her to marry me.”
“And I believe she said no.” The earl started walking, half dragging Lord Lisford by the arm. “If you don’t go immediately, I’ll see to it that you’re carried out bleeding.”
Thankfully, the viscount obeyed and hurried out, not looking back. Amelia stood by Lord Castledon, her cheeks burning. She’d never been so humiliated, and right now, she couldn’t bear the thought of being near anyone. Her hands clenched against her arms, and she started walking toward the tall hedge, needing a moment to gather her composure.
“Did he hurt you?” came the earl’s voice from behind her.
“He kissed me when I didn’t want him to.” It was such a little thing, really, but confessing it aloud broke apart the shield over her hurt feelings. She couldn’t stop the tears from escaping, and she wished she could burrow into the hedgerow.
The earl held out his hand to her, and the act of kindness made her cry even more. He led her away, toward one of the stone walls. Amelia sank back against it, letting out her humiliation. “I shouldn’t have walked with him,” she wept. “I was trying to be polite, but then he forced me to kiss him. It was terrible!”
Amelia knew it wasn’t proper, but she couldn’t stop herself from leaning against the earl while she cried. His quiet strength was a balm to her wounded feelings, though she knew she was getting his cravat wet.
“It wasn’t supposed to be like that,” she whispered.
“What wasn’t?” His hand curled around her neck, and the warmth of his hand granted her even more comfort.
“My first kiss.” She wiped her mouth again. “It was like a wet fish.” She lowered her voice so that no one would hear. “And then he tried to put his tongue in my mouth!” A shudder came over her. “Can you even imagine such a thing?”
The earl let out a cough that sounded as if he were trying to strangle a laugh. “It must have been terrible.”
“It was a nightmare,” Amelia agreed. “If that is what kissing is like, I shall never kiss a man again.”
