by Rose Pearson
“Well, mayhap I shall not miss Jacintha and Jessica quite so much,” Amelia replied, a wry smile on her face as she thought of her two other sisters who were, at times, a little trying. “But you, my dear Harmonia, have been both a sister and a friend to me. There are times I can hardly believe we are so many years apart, for you have wisdom beyond your years. How I shall miss your company!” Tears threatened, even though Amelia practically burst with happiness and she was forced to pull out her own handkerchief and dab delicately at her eyes.
For a few minutes, the two sisters tried to get their emotions under control, laughing at one another’s efforts to stop their tears, only for more to fall from their own eyes. Eventually, Amelia felt able to put her kerchief away and, glancing at herself in the mirror, saw that she looked quite well regardless of her tears.
“I am so happy for you,” Harmonia said, as she delicately placed the veil over Amelia’s head. “I know that he will make you very happy.
“Indeed he will,” Amelia replied, a small smile on her face as she adjusted the veil. “A marriage with love can only be happy, I think.”
Harmonia said nothing, glancing away from Amelia as she fiddled with the locket around her neck.
“You must promise me not to do anything foolish, Harmonia,” Amelia said, firmly, grasping her sister’s hand to get her full attention. “Swear it to me. I cannot leave you without knowing that you will, at least, come and speak to me before you do anything.”
There was a long pause but, eventually, Harmonia nodded. Letting out a long breath of relief, Amelia smiled and patted her youngest sister’s hand. “Good, I am glad. And it means you will have to come and visit me very often.”
“As often as I can manage,” Harmonia promised, as a rueful smile tugged at her lips. “After all, with you to be a married lady, the responsibility of finding a suitable husband now falls to me.”
Amelia chuckled. “I do not think papa will rest easy until we are all wed.”
Harmonia’s smile faded. “Is he very sick, do you think?”
There was a short silence. “I do not know,” Amelia admitted, quietly. “Papa can be tired and need to rest, but that does not mean he is ill. It simply means he is getting a little older, although that gout of his does flare up from time to time.” Her heart wrenched as she thought of leaving her father’s home, aware that she would not be able to care for him in the way she had been used to doing. “You must look out for him. Encourage him to rest whenever he is tired and make sure he eats well.”
“Not too much brandy, then,” Harmonia replied, the atmosphere lifting at once as she laughed.
“Yes, precisely,” Amelia agreed, chuckling to herself as she recalled just how many arguments she had been forced to have with her father over his penchant for the best French brandy. “Although I am glad to know he is happy about my marriage. It would not have done to have him disappointed in my choice.”
Harmonia smiled gently. “You need have no concern in that regard, Amelia. Our father is more than content. In fact, I believe seeing you in such a happy state has made him quite satisfied.” She smiled at Amelia and lifted one eyebrow, her gaze running over Amelia’s dress. “Well,” she said, a little more briskly. “I think you look quite the picture of perfection, Amelia dear. We do not want to keep your husband to be waiting! Shall we go?”
Amelia turned to give herself one last look in the mirror, knowing that this would be the last time she would leave her bedchamber and leave her home. Her new bedchamber and new home would be with her husband, and life would be very different from what she had been used to.
“Yes, we should go,” she said, softly, a smile spreading across her face as excitement began to run through her. “I can hardly wait to say ‘I do’.”
Chapter One
Six months earlier
Lady Amelia Seaworth sighed happily to herself, settling into the window seat with her newest novel. Below her, the streets of London were busy with carriages, couples walking arm in arm and even a few street urchins, but Amelia did not give them much attention. She was far too eager to begin her new book.
However, Amelia was not about to have the peace she craved. No sooner had she opened the first page than the door to the library opened and her father, the Duke of Westbrook, came in.
“Amelia? Are you in here?”
Managing to abstain from rolling her eyes, Amelia let out a small sigh and came down from the window seat, leaving her book there. Hopefully, she would be able to return to it soon enough.
“Yes, papa?” she asked, smiling at her dear father. “Are you in search of me for some particular reason?”
Her father did not return her smile, making Amelia grow a little anxious.
“Indeed I am,” he replied, gesturing to a seat by the fire. “Come now, sit with me. I have something I must discuss with you.”
Goodness, this is serious indeed, Amelia thought to herself, her book now entirely forgotten. Hurrying to sit opposite her father, she settled her hands in her lap and looked at him in eager expectation.
“Amelia, I had the doctor visit me before we left for London,” her father began, holding up a hand as Amelia began to exclaim at once. “It was nothing serious, I assure you. Just a little trouble with my gout.”
“Oh,” Amelia murmured, flopping back in her chair in relief. “Is that flaring up again? I had not known.”
Her father grimaced, his gaze drifting away from Amelia and towards the fire. “I confess I have kept such trifles from both you and your sisters. You already have enough to do, stepping in where your mother ought to be, particularly with Harmonia. She was just a child when your dear mother passed.” His gaze softened as he thought about his lost love, making Amelia’s heart tear. Clearing his throat, he smiled and dashed a faint tear from his eye. “I know you are a strong woman and you do take very good care of me, Amelia, but there are some things that I need not concern you with.”
“Regardless, I should know when you are feeling unwell, father,” Amelia protested, gently. “You know how we all care deeply for you.”
His expression softened. “Yes, I am well aware of that, Amelia. That is precisely what I wish to talk to you about.”
A fluttering came into her stomach as her father’s expression grew somewhat serious. His dark green eyes lost their humorous gleam as he ran one hand through his thinning grey hair.
“I have decided that you each need to find yourselves a husband.”
Amelia blinked, staring at him. “Whatever do you mean?” she asked, a little breathlessly. “You have always left us to ourselves to make such a choice.”
“And mayhap I was wrong in doing so,” her father answered, gravely. “For who is going to care for you when I am gone?” Amelia opened her mouth to protest that her father would live to see a great many days yet, but he shook his head to silence her, clearly not finished speaking. Amelia was forced to lapse into silence, biting her tongue as best she could.
“Seeing the doctor today confirmed to me that I am not a particularly well man,” he continued, heavily. “Besides, I am getting older.” He gave her a half smile, his expression almost rueful. “I have tried to deny it for a great many years, but the march of time continues on. It is time you and your sisters married so that I can be sure you are all happy and settled before I pass on.
Amelia shook her head, refusing to accept what her father said. “No, papa, you are too harsh on yourself and much too melancholy.”
“Within the year, Amelia,” her father interrupted, not listening to a single word of her protest. “You are all to be engaged or wed by this time next year.”
Amelia was rendered speechless, almost unable to accept what had been said. By next year? The thought was preposterous!
“Did you really think we came to London simply for a holiday?” her father asked, softly. “It is the height of the Season, Amelia. You and your sisters are all out, therefore there is no reason you should not enjoy these few weeks, with the i
ntention of securing a proposal.”
“And I am to be first,” Amelia spluttered, aware that, as the eldest sister, it fell to her to lead the way. She had been out for some years and, at the age of four and twenty, had thought she might spend the rest of her life as a spinster. After all, she was practically on the shelf but being the daughter of a Duke might give her a little more time to find a match. Not that she was particularly keen on the idea, however.
Her father shrugged as Amelia struggled to contain her shock. “I confess that I hate the thought of you all leaving my home and my company, but it is best this way. And yes, as you are the eldest, it falls to you first. You must lead by example, Amelia.” Leaning a little closer to her, he searched her face. “I need to know that you will go into this with a willing spirit, Amelia.”
Amelia wanted to rebel, to tell her father that she simply was not ready to find a husband, that she was quite content here, but the earnestness on his face prevented her from doing so. She could not deny him this, not when he was clearly worried for his daughters.
“If I must,” she muttered, sitting back and pressing a hand to her brow. “But it will be a man of my own choosing, father. I cannot be forced into matrimony.”
The relief he felt was evident. “But of course,” he replied at once, smiling at her gratefully. “Just to know that you are, at least, looking for the right gentleman takes a great deal of worry from my mind.”
Amelia nodded absently, not quite sure how she was meant to find the right kind of gentleman when she had given very little thought to love and matrimony these last few years. In truth, she had spent most of those years caring for her father and ensuring that her sisters were not left to run wild. When their mother had died some years ago, it had fallen to Amelia to run the household and she had grown very content with her role in life. She had not considered her long-term future, even though she had always been aware that there was a little confusion and uncertainty over who the estate might fall to, once her father died. He had always seemed so robust and hearty, even with his occasional attacks of gout but it was clear to her now that he considered his life drawing near to a close – even though she did not agree with such a thought, of course.
“Now,” her father continued, interrupting her fast flowing thoughts. “I have tickets secured for the four of you to Almacks for tomorrow night. Your cousin, Lord Luke Darnsley, will accompany you, given that my health requires me to be abed early these days.”
“To Almacks?” Amelia repeated, surprised. “Goodness, father, you have been busy!”
He chuckled. “You are not the only one with a determined spirit, Amelia. Have you never thought where you got your determination from?”
Amelia could not help but smile. “I suppose you are right,” she murmured, getting to her feet. “I had best inform my sisters.”
Reaching for her hand, her father squeezed it gently. “You are very good to me, Amelia. You need not tell them of the urgency to wed if you do not wish to. Once you are married, the others will follow suit, I am quite sure.”
Bending to press a kiss to her father’s brow, Amelia pressed his hand gently before quitting the room, her heart heavy. Not that she would reveal such a thing to either her father or her sisters! Amelia was determined to put a brave face on things, even though the very thought of finding herself an eligible and worthy gentlemen filled her with anxiety.
“Ah, I am glad you are all still here,” Amelia smiled, putting on a bright expression as she walked into the drawing room. Jessica was busy with her embroidery, Harmonia was reading quietly and Jacintha was writing something at the desk in the corner. They each looked up as Amelia entered, aware that she had only just taken her leave to read quietly in the library.
“Is something wrong?” Jacintha asked, putting down her quill. “You look strained.”
“No, nothing is wrong,” Amelia assured her, as cheerfully as she could. “The reason I have returned to you all is that father has just informed me that we are to attend Almacks tomorrow evening.”
A stunned silence filled the room for a few seconds before each sister burst into questions, practically running towards Amelia who felt quite overwhelmed by it all. There were questions about dresses, what they would wear, who they would dance with, who would be attending, who was going with them, who would introduce them....the questions went on and on until Amelia, feeling quite weary, extricated herself from her sisters and went to sit down in one of the chairs. Of course, they followed, although it was Jacintha and Jessica who continued firing questions at her whilst Harmonia began to study her quietly.
“I do not have all the answers for you, I’m afraid,” Amelia protested, holding up her hands to stem the flurry of questions. “I am only telling you what father told me.”
“We are to find a beau, then?” Jacintha asked, hope flaring in her eyes. “I had thought father might have every intention of us enjoying a Season when he suggested a trip to London! After all, I am twenty and Jessica is two and twenty – it is high time we found ourselves husbands!”
Amelia thought quickly about how best to present what her father had said without informing her sisters about the urgency of her father’s request for them to wed. “You are quite right, Jacintha. Father has decided that it would be best for us all, in time, to wed. And one cannot wed if one does not meet eligible gentlemen!”
“And where better than Almacks?” Jessica finished, giggling wildly. “Oh my! I must go this very moment to look through my new dresses. I am quite sure I will never find one to wear!”
“I will go with you!” Jacintha exclaimed and, much to Amelia’s relief, they left the room together.
Harmonia let out a long breath, relaxing in her chair. “Goodness, Amelia! This has come as something of a surprise. Father has never been particularly keen on allowing us to mix with London society before.”
Amelia nodded, her lips twisting a little in a rueful smile. “He thought to protect us, I think. After all, daughters of Dukes are particularly eligible, particularly with the inheritance we shall each receive. He did not want us to fall head over heels with rakes who have nothing but a shilling or two to rub together, even though they keep up every appearance of being just as wealthy as ever!”
Harmonia did not smile. “He intends for us each to wed, then,” she said, thoughtfully, still studying Amelia. “That must be something of a trial to you. I know how settled you are.”
“It came as a surprise, that is true,” Amelia answered, slowly. “Yet I gave my assurance to papa that I would do as he asks. It is to bring him a little relief, I think, to know that we are all settled.”
“But you must be the first,” Harmonia commented, her sharp eyes piercing Amelia’s calm demeanor. “After all, I am but nineteen so have some time before I must find a match – but I can tell that you are not as settled as you appear.”
Amelia smiled sadly. “You have always been able to see what I really feel, Harmonia. Yes, I am not settled in the least. I would rather stay here with father, continuing in my role as it is. But, it seems, that is to be taken from me.”
There was a short pause.
“But should you marry, you have the prospect of having your own family and running your own household,” Harmonia pointed out. “It is not all bad, Amelia.”
Amelia sighed heavily, knowing that her sister was right. “I shall try and make the best of it, I suppose. After all, what else can I do?”
“You can find a beautiful dress that sets off your eyes and makes you as lovely as can be,” Harmonia declared, rising to her feet and catching Amelia’s hand so as to pull her from her chair. “Come now, sister dear. Let us find you just the most perfect of dresses for Almacks tomorrow!”
Chapter Two
“Come, come now! We must not be tardy!”
Amelia glanced up to see her cousin, Lord Luke Darnsley, enter the room in something of a flustered state. He was in his usual smart attire, his dark blonde hair neatly tied back at the base of his
neck and his cravat absolutely impeccable. All in all, he looked quite dashing, were it not for the sharpness of his tongue and the way his eyes darted from place to place.
“We are quite ready,” she said, in as pleasant a voice as she could manage. “May I thank you for accompanying us, Darnsley. We very much appreciate your kindness.”
Luke did not reply, simply grunted and gestured towards the door of the drawing room. The sisters walked through one after the other, although Luke followed after Harmonia leaving Amelia to walk behind, alone.
The carriage ride was a quiet one, for no-one felt much inclination to speak in their cousin’s presence. He was not an unkind man, but rather a man who had something of a sharp tongue and could often mock his cousins should they behave in a way he thought ridiculous. Even Jessica and Jacintha were silent, although Amelia knew they were both utterly thrilled to be attending Almacks. She also noticed that her cousin’s eyes continually strayed towards Harmonia. Of course, second cousins married quite often, but Amelia did not think they made a particularly good match. Harmonia was kind and gentle, always aware of what was going on and making sure to aid where she could. After all, she had been the only sister who understood the difficulties Amelia faced in being the first one required to marry! Luke, on the other hand, appeared distant and aloof. No, they would not suit at all, even if her cousin could not take his eyes from her sister!
Once they had arrived at Almacks, Amelia stuck close to her sisters and cousin. After all, as much as none of them wished to dance with him, he was the only one who could introduce them to anyone else! As their chaperone, Luke held something of a large responsibility which Amelia was not quite sure he particularly wanted. Regardless, she stayed by him, nodding to first one gentleman and then another.