The Heiress of Winterwood - By Sarah Ladd Page 0,12

can persuade him. Winterwood is a large estate. He need never even know she is here.”

“I declare, Amelia, I do not understand you. Why can you not just enjoy your life with Mr. Littleton? The child’s father has returned. He will see to her.”

Her aunt gave a firm nod, calling a close to the conversation.

Amelia glanced at her cousin, who continued to stare down at her plate. She had hoped that Helena would come to her defense, help convince Aunt Augusta that she was right. It would hardly be the first time the cousins had allied themselves in such a fashion. But this time Helena remained silent.

Whether the room was indeed suffocating or it just felt that way, Amelia managed to survive dinner. It was clear she had more difficult decisions ahead of her. Her family might not understand her now, but she could only pray they would come to share her perspective. She still cared for Edward. But his refusal to allow Lucy to remain at Winterwood was forcing Amelia to choose between a future with him and her commitment to Lucy.

And that was really no choice at all.

The next morning every muscle in Amelia’s body tensed as she waited once more in the drawing room, listening for the sound of carriage wheels. This time, instead of waiting for the captain, she waited for Edward Littleton. And yesterday’s optimism had faded to a nervous melancholy.

Helena, dressed in a silk-embroidered gown of jonquil satin and with glossy hair coiled tightly to her head, rose from the settee with practiced poise and moved to stand beside Amelia. Concern creased her flawless brow as she laid her hand atop Amelia’s arm.

“I do hope you are not upset with me for mentioning Captain Sterling’s return to Mother. You know her disposition, and she would find out about the visit sooner or later. Far better it is for her to find out from you or me than from another source.”

Amelia drew a deep breath and looked toward the window, fearing that if she looked her cousin in the eyes, her true feelings would be evident. Perhaps Helena’s intentions had been innocent. But her cousin’s behavior had been unpredictable since Amelia’s engagement to Edward had been announced several months prior. Amelia had hoped that sharing her plan to propose to the captain might restore the closeness between them, but unease remained.

Amelia released the breath she’d been holding. Harboring resentment toward Helena would do nothing but steal her energy. “Think nothing of it.”

As if content with Amelia’s response, Helena patted her hand. “Good. Now, let us forget the entire thing.” A pretty smile brightened her cousin’s narrow face. “After all, the captain declined your offer, did he not? I shall never mention it, and the captain, if he is any sort of gentleman, would take it to the grave. So it will be as if your little indiscretion never happened.”

Amelia fought to hold her tongue. Indiscretion? She turned away to reach for her shawl. Would she never be able to persuade Helena that she’d proposed out of pure necessity?

Did Helena’s approval even matter?

At the sound of a shout and a carriage on the drive, Amelia lifted her head. Her uncle—and Edward Littleton—had arrived.

“Do you hear that?” Helena left Amelia’s side and lifted the velvet curtain. “There, see! Father and Mr. Littleton are here. I’ll have Mother call for tea. Amelia, be calm now.”

Amelia smoothed her skirt and pinched her cheeks. Edward would be a guest at Winterwood for a little more than a day before traveling on to London for business. In that time she had to convince him to open their home to Lucy. She had little other choice.

The click of the door’s latch echoed through the halls, followed by the sound of rain pounding the stone steps outside. Then Edward’s hearty laugh filled the room. She eased at the sound. He was in a pleasant mood.

The moment Edward stepped into the drawing room, his eyes sought her. She could not help the girlish smile creeping over her lips or the flush rushing to her cheeks under the directness of his gaze. Even after the turmoil of the past weeks, she could not deny the pleasure his exuberant attentions afforded her.

He was certainly feeling exuberant today. He barely acknowledged Aunt Augusta or Helena before brushing past James, ignoring the butler’s attempt to take his belongings. He simply peeled off his wet greatcoat and dropped his beaver hat on a wingback chair before hastening in Amelia’s