The Heiress of Winterwood - By Sarah Ladd Page 0,52
the ivory fichu around her neck before stepping over the threshold. The sun’s bright light flooded through the window and bounced around the breakfast room, reflecting from the gilded mirror to the silver service to the sparkling ruby at her aunt’s neck.
Amelia squeezed a greeting through her constricted throat. “Good morning.”
Her uncle didn’t acknowledge her. Her aunt glared at her. Sympathy balanced in Helena’s red-rimmed eyes, but she said nothing. Amelia sat down in her chair, and immediately Sally was at her elbow with tea. She sipped the steaming liquid, hoping its warmth would soothe her mounting anxiety.
Tension hovered in the air, daring someone to be the first to speak. Finally, her aunt’s biting voice stopped Amelia midsip. “Since no one will address what has transpired, I shall.” She turned and thrust the full brunt of her glare onto Amelia. “I hope you are satisfied. In one night you have destroyed everything your uncle and I have worked so hard to create for this family. Everything!”
Uncle George snapped his paper closed and let it fall to his lap. “Don’t bother, Augusta. She has made her decision.”
Amelia snuck a glance at Helena, hoping to garner support, but Helena stared at her lap.
Aunt Augusta’s face reddened and trembled as she spoke. “Indeed she has, with little concern for the welfare of those who have sacrificed for her.”
Amelia’s Wedgwood teacup clattered against the saucer when she set it back down. Her shoulders slumped. How many times must she defend her cause? Would anything she said make a difference? She forced strength to her voice. “I hope that one day, Aunt, you will be able to understand why I have made this decision.”
“Oh, I know full well why—because you are a selfish, ungrateful girl!” Aunt Augusta swatted her napkin against the table. “You think you know better than anyone else how the world should be organized, and you consider nobody else’s concerns but your own. Think of poor Mr. Littleton! The man is heartbroken. How can he ever hold his head up in society after such a public disgrace?”
In a fluster, the plump woman pushed herself away from the table and paced behind Helena. “I would wish nothing like it on my worst enemy. And have you given any thought to how this scandal will affect your uncle’s business? The livelihood we all depend upon? I daresay you have not.” She pressed a handkerchief to her nose, and a sob broke her voice. “And I shudder to think of what this scandal will do to your cousin’s chances of making a suitable match when word is out. Selfish.”
Amelia stiffened at her aunt’s biting words and finally found her voice. “Edward will recover—of this I am certain. There is no reason why my decision should affect any business dealings.”
Her uncle huffed, and she turned to find his small eyes fixed on her. “Edward is about to be, or at least is supposed to be, a partner of mine—that is how my business will be affected. Once trust is broken, Amelia, it is not easily repaired. I gave Edward my permission to court you. I gave him my blessing to marry you. Now he has been betrayed in the vilest of manners. I shouldn’t blame the man if he never spoke to any of us again.”
Amelia’s ears flamed, and she tried to swallow. She wanted to tell them that though Edward appeared amiable, he was actually a treacherous man. Couldn’t her uncle see he was only interested in a partnership because of Winterwood’s fortune and would turn on his partner as quickly as he would on his intended? But such arguments would all be for naught. They were determined not to listen.
Uncle George continued, jowls trembling. “Edward is staying at the village inn. I plan to go to him later today to sort out this fine mess and try to salvage what is left of the family name. You may care little for your reputation or that of Edward’s, but this scandal will shed negative light on all of us.”
Amelia’s pulse quickened. “Edward is still in Darbury?”
“He departed from Winterwood in the black of night, Amelia.” Aunt Augusta stared down her nose. “Where did you expect him to go?”
Amelia felt as if the air had been stolen from her lungs. How could Edward remain in Darbury after being refused? What if he planned to stay?
Augusta stepped behind Helena and rested her hand on her daughter’s shoulder as she stared at Amelia. “If you are fortunate, by