He briefly explained the circumstances of their accidental meeting. “She revealed that she was escaping Wellworth Park as her parents were trying to marry her off to the aging derelict who owned it.”
“Not a pleasant way to find out what yourintérêt amoureuxthinks of you.”
“Indeed.” He remembered how his heart had sunk at her words.
“However, I can see that she now regards you in quite a different light.”
“Can you?”I find that hard to believe, but I hope you’re right.The beat of his heart pounded in his ears.
“You can’t see it?”
He shook his head. “No, I do not.”
She threw up her hands in disbelief.
“Pardon my cynicism.” A brief nod accompanied his words.
“You don’t know her as I do, so you need to believe me, and you need to act as though I am correct.” She wagged a finger in support of her words.
“Do I pull her into my arms and kiss her, or drop to one knee and propose?”
“Neither, young man. Mark my words. Not yet.”
“So, what ought I do?”
“Spend time with her. Let her see that you are more than your age and your war injury. Christmas is but days away. As I see it, you have two choices—you may spend Christmas here in Bath or we can all return to Wellworth Park.”
He traced his fingers along the smooth length of the cane that lay across his lap. “If we return to my estate, there will be her parents to contend with, who already have pressed her about marrying me. At the same time, if we stay here, it will mean that both my parents and hers are left alone at Wellworth Park at Christmastime, which seems callous.”
“If you explained to your parents your reasons for deserting them this Christmas, would they condemn you or encourage you in your mission?”
“I have no doubt they would excuse me, for the sake of winning Miss Fortescue’s affections.”
“Excellent. And I think you should have no qualms about abandoning Amelia’s parents. I’m sure they will enjoy living the high life over Christmas, at your expense, especially as they’re secure in the knowledge that their daughter is with you. That is more than enough of a seasonal present for them.”
He gave a brief laugh in appreciation of her character assessment. “However, I will need to return home for the New Year’s Eve ball I’m hosting. I hope you and Miss Fortescue will join me on the return journey and stay for some time at Wellworth Park?”
“I would be delighted. But Amelia can make up her own mind. For now, let us plan our Christmas activities. I’m looking forward to it enormously. I’ve missed having my Amelia around this last year. Where are you staying in Bath?”
“At The Christopher.”
“You shall sleep there, but during the remainder of each day you will be here or escorting Amelia around the town.”
There’s nothing I’d rather do.“I look forward to it.” He stood and bowed.
“Return tomorrow morning, Major. You can start your campaign then.”
He had this one chance to win Amelia’s affections. His chest tightened around his pounding heart as hope and trepidation warred inside him.Would he be successful?
