The Heiress of Winterwood - By Sarah Ladd Page 0,67
air. “You will regret not helping me in my time of need, brother.”
They stared at one another, William swaying slightly, Graham frozen to the ground. Then William broke eye contact and stomped down the path in the darkness.
Graham watched him, doubting the foxed fool could find his way home in his current state. But then again, he didn’t really care.
He looked up at the black night. Only a few stars twinkled through the thickening clouds. Strange how the sky looked the same from the middle of the country as it did on the sea. Same sky. Same man. Different trials.
He turned to a trickle of light spilling onto the path. Strange, he thought he’d closed the door. He looked up and caught a glimpse of Amelia’s retreating form.
Amelia had not intended to eavesdrop. When she saw Graham and his brother go outside, she should have kept herself planted firmly next to Jane. She shook her head, regretting her indiscretion. But her punishment for curiosity was steep, for now she knew the truth.
She’d been mistaken when she thought she’d seen a glimmer of affection in Captain Sterling’s eyes when they were alone in the Hammonds’ hall. The captain was marrying her for Lucy’s care. Nothing more. And why should that sting? That had been the plan all along, had it not? A marriage of convenience. But she cringed to realize the captain now knew of the incident between her and his brother. She should have told him before. What must he think of her?
Amelia nodded to Mrs. Mill’s account of her daughter’s baby and managed to ask perfectly timed questions without paying real attention. She praised the beauty of Mrs. Bell’s silver dress and admired the detailed tambour work on Mrs. Dyer’s reticule. She smiled. Laughed. Performed all of the tasks required to win their approval. After all that Jane had done to protect her, how could she let on that the evening was anything other than perfect?
On the other side of the drawing room, Captain Sterling, Mr. Carrington, Mr. Hammond, and a handful of other men clustered around a game of whist. Their laughter rose above the ladies’ chatter and the fireplace’s merry crackle.
Amelia shrank back against her chair and stole a glance at Graham. Again. His sable hair curled over the high collar of his black tailcoat. His military posture and bronzed skin set him apart from the rest of the men in the room.
Without warning, he turned and looked in her direction. A corner of his mouth tugged upward. She jerked her head down.
The conversation between William and Graham played once more in her mind. What were the west fields, and why were they talking about Edward? And why had they been talking about her inheritance? Why was William challenging Graham on matters of character and loyalty? And heaven help her, William did remember their kiss. And now the captain knew of it too.
She’d be a fool not to acknowledge the obvious. She had let her mind go somewhere it shouldn’t, and now her heart would pay the price.
Amelia wanted to believe the romantic love stories she and Helena had devoured. She wanted to share a love like that of Jane and Mr. Hammond. But perhaps Aunt Augusta had been right. Love didn’t come to a girl whose only asset was her fortune.
A pat on her hand drew her attention.
Amelia glanced down at Mrs. Dyer’s hand resting on her own. With great reluctance she met the woman’s eyes. A knowing grin creased the older woman’s puffy face. “You’re staring, my dear.”
The women giggled like schoolgirls. Mrs. Mill held up her hands to quiet the group. “Now, ladies, who among you could blame young Miss Barrett for not being able to take her eyes off of the dashing Captain Sterling?”
Fresh snickers circled the group.
Let them believe it. Let them all believe this is a match made of love. Keep what little dignity you have intact.
Snow clouds obscured the moonlight, and trees blocked the flickering light from the torches in front of the vicarage as the carriage rumbled down the path to Winterwood. The journey would be a short one and the hour was late, so if Graham was to make his apology, he needed to do it quickly. He needed to speak with Miss Barrett alone. He was uncertain of how long she’d been present for his discussion with William, but her distant expression made it clear she hadn’t liked what she had heard.