The Heiress of Winterwood - By Sarah Ladd Page 0,57
actions.”
She shifted her weight backward. “But I still have my outside things on. Give me a minute to tidy up and I—”
“It would be rude to keep your guest waiting.”
He yanked on her arm, causing her to stumble forward several steps. Only when she almost fell did he loosen his grip. “Take off that coat and hat. I’ll wait.”
His eyes were hard under wiry eyebrows as she removed her outer garments. She threw a pleading glance at James, as if he could in some way help her, but her uncle was the master—for now, at least.
Slowly she freed herself from the pelisse.
“Come on, girl.” Uncle George walked ahead of her down the hall and stepped back to give her room to enter. She handed her items to James before stepping into the sunlit chamber.
She scanned the room. Her aunt and cousin sat on the settee. Aunt Augusta regarded her with a haughty sneer. Helena would not look at her. Instead, she stared toward the far corner of the room.
Amelia’s breath caught as she followed Helena’s eyes to see Edward Littleton standing there. Jane had been correct—his appearance was much altered. Red rimmed his dark eyes, and his complexion, usually vibrant, was sallow and pale. A day’s worth of stubble blackened his strong jawline. A crumpled cravat hung loosely about his neck, and his wrinkled tailcoat hung open over dirt-smudged fawn breeches. She gaped at him in stunned silence.
Aunt Augusta stood abruptly, pulled Helena to a standing position, then half dragged her to the doorway.
“Wait! Where you are going?” To her own ears, Amelia sounded like a bewildered child. She took a step to follow them, but they ignored her. Uncle George opened the door just wide enough for his wife and daughter to slip past, then followed them out and slammed the door behind him.
Amelia turned slowly to face Edward. She clenched her fists with such intensity that the nails dug into her palms.
His dark eyes flicked from her to the door and back to her again. “Is this what it has come to, Amelia?”
He took an unsteady step toward her. She clasped her hands protectively in front of her and stepped back. He advanced on her again.
And then something shifted within her.
She thought of Captain Sterling’s bravery. His strength. He might not be here, but she could be strong on her own.
She must be strong.
She stood her ground, daring him to come closer. “Why did you visit the Hammonds?”
Edward extended his palms toward her. “Look at me, Amelia. I haven’t eaten. I haven’t slept. You’ve driven me to desperation. Please release me from my misery. I—”
“You have not answered my question.”
“Why do you suppose I went to the Hammonds?” His short laugh sounded almost like a sob. “Regardless of what you think of me, Amelia, I am not a fool. I know you hold Mrs. Hammond’s counsel in high regard. I thought if she talked to you—”
“That I would what? Change my mind?”
He smoothed his ebony hair, then tugged at his striped waistcoat, the same one he had worn the previous evening. “One could only hope. Do you think I like this? Pleading for your uncle to let me into his home so I can beg you to reconsider? I admit that I’ve behaved poorly. I said things I shouldn’t have. But I love you. That has not, nor will it ever, change.”
“It’s too late, Edward. What’s done is done. My decision is made.”
He took another step toward her. She tensed but did not back away. “I know you, Amelia. You don’t mean that.”
“On the contrary, Mr. Littleton. You don’t know me at all.”
“Mr. Littleton?” His head jerked back as if she had slapped him. “Such formality. Is that how it is to be?”
“It is.”
A flash of anger sparked in his eyes, but then his expression softened. “Apparently I did not realize how much you cared for the child. I can admit I was wrong. If you’ll reconsider, she can stay with us as long as you like. Please, darling Amelia, reconsider.”
“I’m sorry, Edward.”
Another laugh. “So I am to believe the captain has truly caught your fancy, hmm? What line of lies has he fed you? Or perhaps he’s showing you the ways of the world?”
He took yet another step in her direction. Every muscle in her body poised to move quickly if need be. “Mr. Littleton, I want you to leave.”
He lunged forward, grabbing her hands and pulling her toward him. “No, I will not leave. By my