He looked at Miss Charlotte, and their glances locked. He hoped she wasn’t embarrassed by what she’d said at his party, for she’d done well to defend her sister like a lioness defending its cubs. He quite liked her for it. He offered her a friendly smile, which she quickly returned.
Yet when he looked at Miss Beatrice, he received a scowl.The deuce!If looks could kill, he’d be flat out on the floor with his body smoking from her scorching glare. Any man would do well to keep clear of that one.
Nevertheless, Henry sent her a friendly nod. She pursed her lips and turned away.Well!He snugged on the tartan monstrosities, feeling his toes curl at the ends. He would drink the blasted dishwater — or tea, as some professed it to be — and then he would attempt to get Amity alone long enough to put forth his hopes for their future together.
“It is unthinkable and also utterly splendid, Your Grace, that you came all this way to offer your apology,” Mrs. Rare-Foure said cordially. “A simple note would have done, if even that was needed. From what I understand, it was not you, but Lady Madeleine who—”
“Mother,” Amity interrupted her, and Henry was left to wonder how the woman would have characterized Madeleine’s ill manners. “I’m sure His Grace doesn’t wish to hear you speak ill of his fiancée.”
Henry started, nearly spilling his tea. “Oh, Miss Rare-Foure, I assure you, I am not engaged.”
Instead of appearing pleased as he’d hoped, a myriad of emotions crossed her artless face, until finally her expression settled upon looking crestfallen.
“The blunder with the wrong chocolate ruined your proposal. How awful!” She twisted her hands with dismay. “I cannot credit that Lady Madeleine would let a little thing like that dissuade her from accepting your hand in marriage. I feel terribly responsible. It isIwho should apologize toyou. Did your lady ever manage to enjoy aBrayson?”
Dear woman!Henry thought. She blamed herself for him not being engaged. Actually, itwasher fault, but for reasons she did not yet understand.
“The lady did taste theBrayson, after all,” Henry said. “What’s more, she loved it! You are to be commended. I, for one, think you should sell them in your shop.”
“I thought they were the perfect creation for your lady,” Mrs. Rare-Foure agreed, “but we shall not be sellingBraysons.”
“I never got to taste one,” Mr. Foure complained.
“I did,” Miss Charlotte said. “I liked them.”
“I am not fond of lavender,” Miss Beatrice said, giving Henry another hard look.
“Nor I,” he confessed, hoping to gain her as an ally, but she sniffed and sipped her tea. “In any case, despite Miss Rare-Foure’s fine confectionery, I am not engaged.”
Not wanting to speak any more about it, he swiped a plain biscuit off the tray in front of him and took a bite.
“I suppose it is not out of place in this discussion,” Mr. Cole began, “for me to shareournews.” The man glanced at Amity and said, “Miss Rare-Foure and I are engaged.”
Henry swallowed too quickly and choked. Suddenly, he was coughing crumbs onto his pants, rattling his cup and saucer to the point of spilling his tea, and desperately trying to take a breath. When Mrs. Rare-Foure and Amity stood in concern, causing the other men to stand, as well, Henry held up his free hand.What did the women intend to do, smack him on the back?
Knowing his face was probably ruddy with exertion, and still unable to speak, he simply shook his head, waiting for everyone to be seated once more.
“My apologies,” he croaked, at last, all eyes upon him, even as his own were watering.How embarrassing!Pulling a handkerchief out of his pocket, he wiped his mouth and brushed down his pantlegs. “I suppose I was overly hungry and wolfed that down like a ... well, like a wolf.”
Miss Charlotte laughed, which made everyone relax. For his part, he was stunned.Amity was engaged!And she was blushing profusely, looking as if her shoes were two sizes too small.
Sipping the tea more carefully, finding it not as bad a beverage as usual, he let it clear his throat and tried to speak again.
“When?” he asked, looking from Amity to her fiancé, belatedly realizing how curt his question sounded. He should have congratulated them immediately, but what kind of man did that before trying to steal the woman away?
“Two days ago,” Mr. Cole said.The blighter!Reveling in having taken the only female Henry had ever cared for. It had taken him barely a couple weeks to realize that fact, whereas this lawyer had known her for at least a year. Mr. Cole had dallied all these many months and then snatched her at the last minute.Outrageous!
Her parents seemed happy enough with the turn of events. Surely, they would be even happier with a duke for a son-in-law.
He needed to speak to her at once. Setting down his teacup, Henry looked at Amity “May I speak with you alone?”
