“Yes. It didn’t take him long. And the pleasure he found in doing so was unmistakable. I...” He paused, and Amelia spied a look in his eyes that she’d never seen before. It spoke of deep comprehension and resolve. He darted a look in Heather’s direction before returning it to her. “There are things I must say to you, Amelia—things that will hopefully help you understand why I have been so reluctant to pursue a deeper attachment with you. It is not that I do not care for you, but that I—”
“Please.” She couldn’t imagine what might have prompted him to tell her this now, but she had to stop him before he broke her heart all over again. She could not bear the thought of having to listen while he spoke of the love he’d felt for his mistress and how he would never feel that kind of love again. She’d come to terms with it—accepted it—but she had no desire to be tortured by it.
“There is no need for you to explain.”
“Of course there is.”
She shook her head. “I would rather you didn’t.”
A frown appeared upon his forehead. “Amelia—”
“Oh! I thought I heard voices,” the dowager duchess said as she entered the room.
Stepping away from Coventry, Amelia went to greet her. “I came to inform your son of an incident.” She then relayed a brief version of what she’d told Coventry earlier about the man she’d seen in the street.
“How unnerving,” the dowager duchess said with a look of distinct alarm. She addressed her son. “You must escort Lady Amelia and her maid home from here. I absolutely insist upon it.”
“My thought exactly,” he murmured.
“But first,” the dowager duchess said, “I do hope you will stay for luncheon. We are having mushroom pie and mackerel.”
Thanking her for the kind offer, Amelia walked with her to the dining room while Coventry followed behind. She’d escaped his explanations, thank God, but she was still very much aware of his presence and of the thoughtful way in which he watched her later during the ride home. It was almost as if he was plotting and planning something, though she couldn’t for the life of her figure out what it might be.
Chapter 20
As reluctant as Amelia was to hear what he had to say, Thomas knew he had to have a serious word with her. Considering the developing relationship between them and his recent thoughts of marrying her, he was going to have to make her hear him out and then see where the truth would take them.
Arriving at the pleasure garden with his mother that Saturday, they approached the supper box where Amelia, Juliette and Lady Everly were keeping company with Mr. Lowell, Mr. Burton, Viscount Tibsandthe Earl of Yates. Worst of all, Viscount Tibs’s head was dipped toward Amelia’s while he spoke, and she was looking very amused by whatever the hell the man was saying.
“Calm yourself,” his mother murmured before they drew within earshot of the group. “You look as though you’re prepared to go to war.”
“If there is one to be fought, Mama, then I am ready for it.”
His mother chuckled, and then they were suddenly greeting the others and finding places to sit. Lady Everly, who’d risen when they’d arrived, waved them into the spot she’d vacated, denying Thomas the chance to sit beside Amelia.Annoying woman.
“You look lovely tonight, ladies,” Thomas said, glancing at each of the women in turn. He allowed his eyes to linger a second longer on Amelia, but she failed to meet his gaze when she thanked him for the compliment.
“We are fortunate to be in their dazzling company,” Mr. Lowell said, his eyes on Amelia as he spoke. She blushed in response to the compliment, which made Thomas feel like punching the man.
Christ!
The woman had turned his head.
His chest tightened against a deep inhalation of breath. He did his best to calm himself. She was exceptional, her beauty and character more enticing than any other. And he... God... the way he felt about her. He’d be damned if he could put it into words, but he knew he ached to be close to her, to hold her in his arms and to bask in her vitality.
Sweetmeats arrived, but he wasn’t hungry. At least not for food. Amelia leaned across Tibs to say something to her sister, and Thomas almost leaped from his seat when he saw the man’s eyes fill with pleasure. Only his mother’s staying hand kept him from acting irrationally.
“I have been taking a look at the bill you proposed,” Yates remarked. He popped a piece of sweetmeat into his mouth.
Thomas shifted his gaze to meet the earl’s. “Thank you, but it does not appear as though it will be accepted. So perhaps we ought to discuss something else since such a topic is unlikely to interest the ladies.” A discreet reminder that politics was not to be discussed in polite society.
“On the contrary, I find myself intrigued,” Lady Juliette said.
“It is a tiresome matter,” Thomas stated.
“Are you saying we lack the patience or skill to comprehend it?” Amelia asked.
His mother tried to hide a snort, and he knew right away he’d lost the fight. “No. Of course not.” What else could he say when all eyes were now trained on him? He glanced at Amelia, who’d finally decided to give him her full attention. Well then... “I was trying to change the law of inheritance.”
