Oh, but she wanted to. An idea sparked. “Then I must go find that pamphlet again at once, so I can learn all about this.” Fully intending to do just that and read more of it aloud, she pulled away from his touch and tried to stand, but he grabbed her about the waist.
“No need to do research. What you need to do is apply your knowledge.” His grip was strong but gentle.
His response had her insides quivering, and the imp in her demanded she push it. “No, I still need to amass more information on the subject. I really must go up there and find that pamphlet.” She attempted to wriggle from his lap.
He growled.
In the next instant he had thrown her over his shoulder and stalked toward the door.
“James, put me down.” She was caught between excitement and laughter. “James Garrison Huntington, you put me down this instant.”
“I’ll put you down when I—”
A knock sounded at the door, and he halted. Slowly, he set her feet to the floor. “What is it?”
Harrison opened the door. “Her Grace’s sister, Your Grace.”
“My sister?” Immediately, her good mood evaporated. “Which one?”
“Lady Amelia.”
She glanced at the clock on the fireplace mantel. It wasn’t even after noon. No one called before noon. “Something’s wrong.”
James nodded. “Let us see what it is.”
His words kept her from panicking. She was still getting used to having him support her. He opened his arm to allow her to precede him. As they strode down the corridor to the parlor, his hand remained on the small of her back, his signal that they would face this together.
When they entered the parlor, Amelia turned from the window and ran to her. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re awake. I knew you would be, I just knew.”
She embraced her sister then sat her back. “Now tell me what brings you here so early. Is it Father? Mother? Mariel?”
Amelia waved her hand. “No, no, they are all fine.”
Her heart lurched. “Teddy didn’t make it to France.”
Amelia frowned and shook her head. “Of course, he did. The ship has already returned to London.” She spun away, her hands in the air as she walked toward the settee. “By now he’s enjoying his grand tour. I have no doubt within the month he’ll forget all about his heartache.”
At the feel of James’ hands on her shoulders, she looked at him in question. What could it be?
He shrugged before looking at Amelia. “Could you tell us what brought you here so early?”
“I’m just so furious.” Amelia sunk down on the settee then arranged her skirts, careful to be sure they didn’t wrinkle.
Completely confused now, Joanna walked across the room and sat next to her. “What is it?”
“It’s my exhibit.”
That made no sense. Amelia’s exhibit had opened with many compliments in the papers. Even a distinguished artist had been quoted as saying she had great talent. Had something happened to it? “What about your exhibit?”
Amelia rose again and walked to the window. “It’s embarrassing.”
James moved to the door. “I’ll get Harrison to order some tea.” In an instant he had left the room.
Her husband was not only intelligent but understanding. “Amelia, tell me what happened. I can’t help if I don’t know.”
Her sister didn’t turn from the window. “They said I obviously knew nothing about the male anatomy.”
Oh, that would greatly hurt her sister’s pride. “Who did?”
