The revelation was so acute it forced her to suck in a breath. For a second, she went completely still, her hand still clasping his while she pondered this new idea. Was it really possible? Glancing up, she considered his expression. It showed no hint of such emotion, yet she’d felt it, she was absolutely certain of it.
“My lady.” His tone was gentle but curt, reminding her of time and place, and the fact that she ought to release his hand.
She did so swiftly, all thought of a mutual attraction evaporating the instant she turned to look at her house. Her hands came up to cover her mouth and drown out the cry that escaped as she took in the scene. Black patches marred the wall above two of the window frames. The front door was charred, and the lock appeared to have been broken, no doubt so the firemen could get in and put out the flames.
Disheartened, Amelia climbed the steps and went inside, her heart plummeting even further at the sight she beheld. The stairs had collapsed in a pile of debris that now sat in a pool of water. Lifting the hem of her gown, she walked on through to the parlor, the library, the ballroom and finally the dining room. With each step she took, she felt her heart drop a little bit more. There was water everywhere, and most of the window frames had been burned away, the glass gone to leave nothing but gaping holes in the walls.
An ache began to fill her as she thought of the extra expenses. At least one wall would have to be torn down completely, and parts of the floors and ceilings that had looked fine before now bore evidence of irreparable damage. By the time she came to a halt before the glassless dining-room windows and looked out into what had once been an overgrown garden, she felt raw inside. Not a hint of color remained. Everything was encased in black.
“We can fix this.” Coventry’s voice summoned her attention but failed to lift her spirits. He came to stand beside her.
She continued to look out at the hopeless display of destruction. “I suspect it would cost a small fortune to do so. Certainly more money than I have at my disposal.” Her voice took on an absent tone as she fought the pain that threatened to swamp her.
“Listen to me.” When she failed to respond to his demand, he turned her with the force of his hands so he could look at her directly. His features were set in firm lines, portraying a keen determination that she completely lacked at that moment. “We can fix this. The house is not beyond repair, and I will happily supply the necessary funds until you are able to pay me back through your fund-raising.”
She stared at him in surprise. “Why would you do that?”
“Does it matter?”
Exhausted from having to recognize that she had failed before she’d really begun and now faced with a good solution, she did not feel like arguing with him. So she shook her head. “No. I suppose not. But you are assuming that my fund-raising events will be successful enough to cover the expense. Your plan is not without risk.”
“No.” He gave her a fleeting smile. “I don’t suppose it is. But I believe this is more important to you than any amount of money will ever be to me.”
Her composure finally crumbled in response to his undeniable generosity, and when the first tears rolled down her cheeks, he pulled her into his arms. With her face snug against the soft wool of his jacket, she inhaled and found herself cocooned in a rich fragrance of musk and sandalwood. One hand settled against her waist, holding her to him while the other soothed along her spine. It was lovely, this intimate closeness. She could feel the strength in his shoulders and chest as she leaned a bit closer, pressing more firmly into the warm embrace he offered.
“I don’t know how to thank you.” Her words were muffled against his jacket, but he heard her nonetheless.
“No need. I am simply happy to ease your concerns.”
A few more seconds ticked by before she reluctantly pulled away. “Forgive me,” she felt compelled to say, “I was overwrought by the shock of it all.”
Reaching up, he tucked a loose curl behind her ear and looked at her with such overwhelming kindness she almost started crying once more. “There is absolutely nothing to forgive since you have done nothing wrong. If anything, I overstepped, though I do believe circumstance will forgive me for doing so.”
“Without a doubt,” she agreed. There was no hint of the heated longing with which he’d regarded her in the carriage, only a friendly countenance. It made her wonder if she’d been wrong to suppose he might ever have thought to kiss her. She’d been so certain before, but if she’d been right, now would have granted him apt opportunity. Yet there was nothing to suggest he even considered such a thing.
Unsure of what to make of that, she chose to set her mind elsewhere. “Can you please inform the laborers today that we are ready to take them on? I would like them to start work as soon as possible.”
“Of course.” They walked out to the foyer where they exited the house and returned to the carriage. “Does Monday still suit you in terms of visiting the lumber mill, glazier and stone mason?”
“Yes. I have no other plans for that day.”
He nodded. “I would recommend you take some time either today or tomorrow to consider your first fund-raising event. Lady Everly can advise you, but I think it would be good to start engaging people in your project.”
“I will attend to it as soon as I get home. Thank you, Coventry. Your kindness today has been such a comfort while your friendship... I cannot tell you how much it means to me.” Even though it would never be nearly enough. With Coventry, she would always long for more.
Chapter 14
An entire week had passed since Amelia had gone to see the results of the fire. A crew of laborers had been hired, and they were now busily removing all of the damaged wood from the structure. In the meantime, she and Coventry had placed an order for cherrywood flooring, crown glass windows and enough marble tiles to replace the ones that were cracked in the ballroom. The rest would simply be polished as well as possible since replacing the entire floor would be an unnecessary extravagance.
This had occupied three of her days so fully that she had allowed no time to meet with Mr. Lowell or Mr. Burton, who’d both come to call on her twice while she’d been out. Juliette and Lady Everly had met with them instead, but their disappointment in having to forgo Amelia’s company had apparently been made very clear, which was why Lady Everly had insisted she let them escort her to Gunther’s for an ice by the time Friday morning rolled around.
The excursion had been pleasant enough, and their interest in the progress she was making with the school had helped a great deal in keeping her focused on their conversation. Now, standing with her sister in the Falconrich ballroom, Amelia saw them make their approach together with another gentleman whom she easily recognized as Doctor Florian.
“Good evening, ladies,” Mr. Lowell said once he and the other men came within speaking range. Mr. Burton was wearing a grand smile as usual, while charm oozed from Mr. Lowell’s smooth countenance. He would no doubt have had the ability to weaken Amelia’s knees a little if it wasn’t for Coventry. The duke had made her completely immune to any other man’s attention. “We have been looking everywhere for you.”
“It is such a crush though,” Burton said. He glanced around at the many people who filled the large room. “You must forgive us for not finding you sooner.”
“Of course we do,” Juliette said while Amelia offered the men a reassuring smile.
