âYou were prepared to marry me all those years ago. Dare I hope that you still find the idea agreeable?â
âGerardâ¦â Amelia gasped. âYesâ¦â
She meant to say more, but he lowered his head to kiss her on the lips. Amelia responded with all the love that was in her, her arms going about his neck as her body melded with his. This was what she had longed for, dreamed of so many lonely nights! She had never expected to be so fortunate.
âMy beautiful Amelia,â Gerard said. âI am a fool! You are such a sensible woman. You understand everything. You would not do something stupid because of a foolish quarrel. I should have asked long ago. You are exactly the woman I need in my life. You will not expect more than I am able to giveâ¦â
Amelia withdrew a little. She waited for him to say the words she needed to hear, but he did not speak of love and she was conscious of her disappointment.
âI look forward to our wedding, Amelia. You will have the comfort and security of marriage and I shall have a beautiful, gracious wifeâ¦â
Recent novels by the same author:
MARRYING CAPTAIN JACK
THE UNKNOWN HEIR
THE HOMELESS HEIRESS
THE RAKEâS REBELLIOUS LADY
A COUNTRY MISS IN HANOVER SQUARE >*
AN INNOCENT DEBUTANTE IN HANOVER SQUARE>*
And in the Regency series The Steepwood Scandal:
LORD RAVENSDENâS MARRIAGE COUNTERFEIT EARL
And in The Hellfire Mysteries:
AN IMPROPER COMPANION
A WEALTHY WIDOW
A WORTHY GENTLEMAN
*A Season in Town trilogy
Amelia stood for a moment on the steps of her house in Hanover Square, gazing across to the Earl of Ravensheadâs London home, which was at the far side. She knew that he was not in residence and supposed that he was at his estate in the country. It was only because she had wanted to do some shopping for Christmas and deliver some gifts that she and her companion had themselves come to town for a few days. She had hoped that she might perhaps meet the earl, at the theatre or at some other affair, but it had not happened.
âIs something wrong?â Emily Barton asked.
Amelia looked at her in surprise and then realised that she had sighed. Her companion was a sensitive girl and always seemed to know when Amelia was out of sorts.
âNo, I was merely wondering if I had forgotten anything. I should not wish to arrive at Pendleton and then remember something I had left behind.â
âI am sure you will not.â Emily smiled at her. âI helped Martha pack your trunks and I am certain nothing was left out.â
âThank you, my love. I know I can always rely on your good sense.â
âYou are not upset by your brotherâs visit, I hope?â
For a moment Ameliaâs eyes clouded. Her brother, Sir Michael Royston, had paid her a brief but intensely unpleasant visit to complain. He always seemed to be in a temper these days and Amelia had come to dread his visits.
âNo, dearest. As you know, my brother isâ¦difficult. However, I am not upset.â She took Emilyâs arm. âCome, we must not keep the horses standing. I want to make good time, for the sky has all the appearance of bad weather and I would like to get to Pendleton before it turns to snow.â
âI am looking forward to spending Christmas with our friends,â Emily said and smiled as she glanced across the carriage. They had been travelling for some time now and the streets of London had given way to pleasant countryside. âBefore I came to you, Amelia, Christmas was always a time of regret.â
âWas it, my love?â Amelia Royston looked at Emily in concern. She was aware of her companionâs secret sorrow, but it was something Emily hardly ever spoke of. âAre you happier now that you have been living with me for more than a year?â
âOh yes, much. If onlyââ Emily broke off and shook her head. âNo, we shall not think of things that make us sad. Do you think that the Earl of Ravenshead will be at Pendleton this year?â
âSusannah said nothing of it when she wrote to invite us,â Amelia said, and a faint colour stained her cheeks. It almost seemed that Emily was reading her thoughts. âWhy do you ask, Emily?â