What Happens in Piccadilly - Chasity Bowlin Page 0,57

in any way aware of Burney’s actions, it didn’t show in the least. Amelia, sweet and pretty as ever, was dancing with a calf-eyed young man who looked at her as if she’d hung the moon in the stars.

Rather the way he looked at Miss St. James, he thought bitterly. Try as he might, he could not get her from his mind. Nor could he shake the feeling that something terrible was about to occur. Between Burney’s threats and stupidity, and constantly worrying that someone might see her who had also been a guest in Averston’s home and observed the portrait of Veronique Delaine, he was ready to chuck it all and pack her off to the countryside, willing or no. The fear that it might very well come to that had not escaped him.

The song ended. The young fellow Amelia had been dancing with escorted her back to her mother. He’d have his dance with her and then take his leave. Before he could cross the room to claim his dance, the butler entered, and with all the pomp the scrawny man could muster, announced the arrival of their latest guest.

“His grace, Lord Gerald Alford, Duke of Averston!”

There was a murmur from the gathered crowd. Averston wasn’t one to attend such events, and he certainly wasn’t one to make nice with debs. Which meant that Averston could be there at Burney’s behest. Had the man changed his mind about Burney’s investment scheme? Or was there something more sinister at play? If Burney had broken his word and shared with Averston the truth about Miss St. James, it would have disastrous and possibly deadly consequences for her.

Winn was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He was obliged to dance the next set with Amelia and if he failed to do so, she would be humiliated. But he couldn’t risk Averston getting away before he had a chance to speak to the man and determine what, precisely, he knew.

The decision was taken out of his hands. Mrs. Burney waved at him happily, indicating that she was well aware the next set was his. Biting back a curse, he closed the distance and bowed to the young woman.

“Good evening, Amelia. You look lovely tonight. I believe the next dance is mine,” he said.

“Indeed, my lord,” Mrs. Burney gushed. “We are most honored by your presence here.”

Winn didn’t have to respond because the musicians struck the first chord. Instead, he offered Amelia his arm, smiled at her mother and led the girl onto the dance floor.

“Don’t mind Mama,” she said, utilizing the in vogue French pronunciation of the word. “She’s quite determined to make a match between us despite the fact that I’ve told her countless times we would not suit.”

Winn nodded. “Your mother is a very determined woman. She will not give up on a match between us until you’re matched with someone else. Even then, I have doubts.”

Amelia laughed softly. “She doesn’t understand. You’ve been like an older brother to me as long as I’ve known you… and I’ve little doubt that you see me much as you would a younger sister. The truth of the matter is, there is a gentleman that has caught my eye.”

Winn’s eyebrows arched upward. “And who might that be?”

“I’m not quite ready to say… not just yet,” she admitted, as she twirled to the music. When they were facing one another once more, she added, “You’ve been such a dear friend to us. It seems terribly demanding to ask it, but would you be so kind as to look after Charlie? I think things are not at all well with him.”

Winn’s expression remained placid. “What on earth would make you think such?”

“He’s very secretive now, when he’s never been before,” she replied. “And I’ve caught him in the study late at night, poring over the books and drinking heavily. He looks so terribly worried at such times. I tried to convince him that I didn’t need a ball like this, that the expense was too great, but he was insistent.”

Winn sighed. “Amelia, you are very dear to me. And you do need this ball. If you are to impress this gentleman and make a suitable match, having a debut such as this is a necessity. I will help Charles if I can.”

“Will you invest in this scheme he keeps talking about?”

“No,” Winn said. “But I will make an offer to him to loan him a certain amount of money and steer him toward