Amelia had three hours to decide what to say to Andrew when she saw him, but as the coach proceeded down the drive of Lyonsmere Hall, her words left her at the sight of three other coaches waiting before the stately home.
“It appears that Lord Sommerset and his mother are quite popular. Either that or they are hosting a special tea.” Joanna’s observation was on point.
If they had other guests, that made it particularly difficult to deliver the painting that sat on the seat beside her, across from James.
That gentleman sat forward. “Well, I for one will be happy to remove myself from this coach. As enchanting as it is to be accompanied by the two of you, spending hours couped up in here does have me anxious to stretch my legs despite the cold temperatures.”
No one had a chance to comment as the door was opened and the steps set. The duke lifted the framed portrait wrapped in brown paper and handed it to the footman. “Bring this in and give it to the butler.” He followed the painting out of the coach and extended a hand to her.
She took it and stepped down from the coach then waited as James helped Joanna down. The wind whipped across the drive, and they soon hurried forward followed by the footman with her painting. As soon as they were inside, James handed the butler his card and they waited. She clasped her hands together hard, her nerves threatening to make her visibly shake and she was determined not to. She was simply here to deliver a painting. That she hoped to talk to Andrew was of no import to anyone, and quite possibly, of no import to him as well. If that were the circumstance, then she would simply return home and continue as she had been.
Even she knew that to be the lie it was, but she held onto her belief anyway.
Though it was only a moment, it seemed like a whole season had gone by before the butler ushered them into the parlor where she followed behind Joanna and James, not sure how her reception would be with either Andrew or his mother.
“Your Graces.” Andrew’s mother curtsied. “What an unexpected surprise.”
Joanna turned to her and motioned her forward. “Yes, my sister has told us so much about you that we wished to visit before returning to Burhleigh Park.”
Andrew’s mother gave her a cold stare. “Lady Amelia, this is even more of a surprise.”
“Lady Sommerset, it is a pleasure to be here.” She kept her smile fixed.
“Humph.” Andrew’s mother turned her attention back to Joanna and James. As she made the introductions to the three ladies sitting about the room, Amelia was keenly aware that Andrew was nowhere to be seen.
“They have come to call on my son, as they are quite interested in him as a husband.”
At Lady Sommerset’s statement, Amelia scanned the faces of the three women. One blushed, one smiled, and the last narrowed her eyes at her. Clearly, they all knew she had turned Andrew away and hoped to capture him themselves. At the thought of him marrying any one of them, her heart started to race and her chest felt as if the great Colossus statue in Italy had fallen on her.
“Unfortunately, Andrew is out with his steward.” Lady Sommerset shook her head. “He cares too much for his people, I’m afraid.”
Unable to stomach spending another moment inside, she spoke. “We only came to deliver a painting he commissioned. Please let him know it is here.”
Joanna gave her a questioning look, but quickly confirmed her account. “Yes, I just couldn’t resist the opportunity to meet you. Please tell Lord Sommerset that we are sorry we missed him and hope we will see him again soon.”
Startled by what must have seemed like a sudden change in plans, Lady Sommerset curtsied. “I will be sure to tell him, Your Grace.”
She couldn’t wait for any more pleasantries. Turning around, she headed out of the room back to the entryway. As soon as the butler helped her with her cloak, she opened the door herself and ran for the coach, tears blinding her as attempted to enter, making it difficult to see the step. Despite the coachman’s help, she tripped as she climbed inside, landing on the floor of the coach, but couldn’t seem to gather the energy to get up.
She loved him!
The realization took her breath away for a moment as she struggled to breathe through the pain in her chest. She loved Andrew and she had lost him. No, she had tossed him away like an unsatisfactory canvas.
“Amelia!” Joanna’s voice from outside the open coach door, made her cringe.
Strong arms lifted her and set her on the seat next to Joanna as her sister grabbed her hand. “Amelia, what is it? Are you hurt?”
The coach started to move. Was she hurt? Yes, she was. She’d hurt herself. Despite her tears, she looked at Joanna and hiccupped. “I love him.”
Her sister pulled her against her and gave her a hug. “Are you sure?”
She nodded against her sister’s cloak.
Joanna pushed her away to look at her. “My God, you do.”
For some reason, she found the surprise in her sister’s face amusing, and she smirked before another hiccup took her.
“How can this be? You hardly know the man. Tell me it is not his handsomeness.”
