“I knew she had plans of this nature,” Huntley said, reaching for the bottle of brandy that stood on a nearby tray. Turning over two glasses, he poured a measure into each of them and slid one across the desk to Thomas. “What I did not know was the location or the state the building was in. I imagined an investment opportunity in Mayfair. I also asked her to seek your assistance with it. You must forgive me for not informing you of this, but it wasn’t even brought to my attention until the day before my departure. Sending word must have slipped my mind.”
Thomas took a sip of the brandy, relishing the soothing effect it had on him. After being knocked unconscious and later punched, he could do with a bit of fortification. “I found out anyway though. You ought to know I tried to dissuade her.”
“How did that go?”
Thomas thought back on the many arguments he and Amelia had had during the course of the last four weeks. “Your sister can be very insistent when she sets her mind to something.”
Huntley grinned. It was the first sign of understanding he’d shown since his arrival. “I see that you have gotten to know her quite well during my absence.” The comment instantly sobered him. Leaning back in his chair, his face took on a grave expression. “Have you really compromised her, or did Lady Everly exaggerate?”
Knowing that this would be the most difficult part to explain, Thomas braced himself for Huntley’s reaction. “She and I were seen stepping out of the foliage at Vauxhall Garden by numerous witnesses.”
“That hardly answers my question.”
“I have kissed her,” Thomas confessed.
“Is that all?”
“Is that all?”Thomas gaped at his friend. “Nothing else is required, Huntley. Especially not when considering our positions. She is a lady and I am a gentleman. A kiss is enough to dictate the necessary course of things.”
“Did anyone see you kiss her?”
“No. Of course not. But assumptions will be made.” Thomas took another sip of his drink. “One cannot take a woman into a dark and secluded spot without people thinking the worst. Her reputation will be destroyed unless I marry her.”
Huntley nodded, and Thomas finally thought he’d managed to make him see reason, until he asked, “Does she wish to marry you?”
“I hardly think that is—”
“Relevant?”
Huntley gave Thomas the sort of chastising look that made him feel like the ass that he knew he was turning into. He’d allowed lust to guide him through all of this without paying attention to Amelia’s best interests. She’d tempted him, and by God he should have known better than to allow it.
As if reading his mind, Huntley said, “Ignoring her thoughts on the matter would be a mistake.”
“Then what do you propose we do?”
“I’m not really sure, but I will not force her into an undesirable marriage.” When Thomas opened his mouth to protest, Huntley held up his hand, silencing him. “My parents had one of those, and it affected not only them but their children, as well.”
“But the scandal will be enormous.” He could feel himself floundering without the support he’d expected to receive from Amelia’s brother. “Your entire family will be affected. Think of Lady Juliette!”
Tilting his head, Huntley seemed to consider that for a moment. Thomas held his breath. “We will get through it if we must,” Huntley said, smashing all hope Thomas had of a quick resolution. “What matters most to me is my family’s happiness, not accommodating other people’s notions of what must be done. And since we have recently gotten ourselves through an equally large scandal, I am confident that we can face another without too much harm being done. Lady Juliette can easily wait another year before seeking a husband in earnest. By then this whole thing will have been forgotten. Especially since the very same people who are likely to criticize us will be equally pleased to have my good favor.”
“But—”
“Unless of course there is something besides duty that prompts you to ask for Amelia’s hand.” Huntley raised a daring brow. “Is there, Coventry?”
Thomas stared back at the man who’d become a close friend in recent months. His insides rebelled at the very idea of letting Amelia go, of not holding her in his arms again and feeling her lips move softly over his. Rising, he crossed to the window and looked out into the street.
“She has captivated my interest.” He spoke to the glass pane while envisioning her joyful smile and the temper that sometimes happened to overtake it—especially whenhemanaged to vex her. Shaking his head, he allowed a grimace. “I can think of little else when we are apart. My every thought these past few weeks have been of her, of seeing her again, of helping her with the school, of... of...”
“Yes?”
Struck by a sudden spark of clarity, Thomas turned to face Huntley, who was looking annoyingly smug and amused. “Are you enjoying yourself at my expense?”
“Absolutely, but that does not answer my question.” Huntley’s smile broadened. He waved his hand. “Do go on. I believe you are about to have an epiphany.”
Of kissing her and touching her... of sating both their desires.
Thomas wisely kept those thoughts to himself. But the imaginings he’d had! They’d left him in a painful state of discomfort most nights. And yet he knew it was more than lust and his duty to protect her that kept her on his mind. It was the bond that had formed between them and the fondness it had provoked. He cared for her. Deeply. More deeply than he had ever cared for any other woman.
