Page 20 of The Ruin of Miss Amelia Burrowes

“Have I, Miss Locke?” She tried to make her voice light, but it turned out rather shrill instead.

“Yes, indeed.” The lady spooned up more of her ice and nodded. “I’ve never seen him this…happy. Have you, Haversham?”

Lord Haversham shook his head gravely. “No, I confess I have not. And I’ve known Ainsley almost my whole life.” He turned kind eyes on Amelia. “You bring out the best in him, Miss Burrowes. He is content at last.”

“Thank you, my lord. Miss Locke.” Amelia didn’t quite know what to say. She’d never thought of Nathan as other than loving and kind, but she’d never known him when not in her presence. If she truly helped him to be happy… “I know Lord Ainsley has given me a joy I had long despaired of. And if I have done the same for him, I can only thank God for it.”

“He’s much easier in his manner. Much less dictatorial toward me.” Miss Locke cut her eyes toward Lord Haversham, who returned her gaze with an innocence that would fool no one. “If for nothing else, Miss Burrowes, I thank you wholeheartedly for that.”

“Here we are.” Nathan appeared as if out of thin air and handed her a glass dish filled to overflowing with the sweet, chocolatey confection she loved.

“Thank you, my lord.” She managed to restrain herself from taking a large spoonful, remembering Lord Haversham’s recent difficulties. Still, she popped the spoon into her mouth quickly, reveling in the sweet taste she so seldom got to enjoy. “Umm. This is delicious. How is yours?”

“Delicious as well, although it’s as savory as it is sweet.” He spooned up a rather large bite then, with a glance at his friend, wolfed it down.

Amelia held her breath, waiting to see if there were to be ill effects, but Nathan continued to scoop the ice into his mouth in larger and larger spoonfuls, seemingly completely unconcerned about the possibility of a frozen mouth. When he’d finished, he smiled at them all before his countenance grew serious.

“I’m glad we came across you here, Kate, Haversham, as I am going to ask your help with a matter of grave importance to me and Miss Burrowes.”

The joy of the outing dimmed for Amelia. He was going to tell them about the incident in the gallery. Well, they had a right to know what kind of woman Lord Ainsley was marrying—one who might be snubbed publicly at any time, any place. They should be prepared for that possibility.

“Has something happened, Nathan?” Miss Locke’s voice turned serious, her demeanor suddenly alert.

“Yes, an unfortunate unpleasantness at the Old Bond Street Gallery just now.” Nathan’s face grew grim. “A woman known to Mrs. Burrowes gave Miss Burrowes the cut direct.”

“Good Lord.” Miss Locke glanced at Amelia, an uncharacteristic softness coming over her. “Are you quite all right, Miss Burrowes?”

“I am, Miss Locke.” She sighed, this confession coming hard. “It is not the first time such a thing has happened, although it is the first time in years.”

“And the fact that it has happened, and likely will continue to happen, has made me realize we must all work together to uncover the true circumstances from all those years ago to convince the ton that Miss Burrowes had acted in a scandalous manner when she actually had not.” Nathan’s gaze traveled from one to the other of the little circle.

“What do you think we can do to help, Ainsley?” Lord Haversham spoke up, his face drawn into sober lines.

“I’m requesting that we all meet tomorrow morning, at my house, to discuss what course of action we can take to remedy the situation.” His voice grew harsh. “I will not have the ton refusing to accept my wife in Society. So Miss Burrowes will tell us all exactly what transpired ten years ago with Lord Carrington, and we must figure out how that led to the misconception that she acted in a wanton manner.”

“So you want us to go sleuthing around town, brother?” Miss Locke perked up, as if this was a challenge she would love to undertake.

“Not around town, most likely, but if it takes a sleuth to get to the bottom of this, I’ll put my money on you, Kate.” Nathan turned to Amelia. “Are you ready to take this on, my dear? It may be painful to recall what happened all those years ago.”

Amelia shook her head. “I’ve lived with the shame of a ruined reputation this whole time because my family couldn’t convince the ton of my innocence.” It made her humble that Nathan had such rock steady faith in her virtue. If they could prove it beyond a shadow of a doubt before the wedding, she would relate everything to them. “But if you all are willing to try again, I will tell you everything I know.”