by Laura Martin
Whilst he’d been sitting in bed recuperating, filling his time with sketching and reading, Edward had decided he would approach Amelia as any man with an interest in a young woman would. He would attempt to court her. Not that he’d told her this yet, of course. Tonight he’d arranged for them to attend a small country dance, nothing too conspicuous, but an occasion where there would be dancing and high spirits and hopefully a few snatched moments alone. Maybe then he would be able to find the words to explain his cautious optimism about the future and gauge Amelia’s reaction to his new level of interest in her.
Just as he glanced again at the clock he heard footsteps coming from the hallway above.
‘Have I made you wait?’ Amelia asked as she began to descend the stairs.
She looked beautiful. Dressed in a pale blue gown Edward had sent Mrs Henshaw to buy just for Amelia, she looked as though she belonged at the royal court, not accompanying him to a country dance. Her eyes sparkled with excitement and perhaps something more and she moved with such grace it looked as though she floated down the stairs.
‘Yes.’ He cursed his abruptness, but Amelia just smiled.
‘Well, it’s a good job I know you don’t mind.’
‘Oh, my goodness, don’t you two look like royalty?’ Mrs Henshaw said as she bustled out into the hallway and looked them both up and down.
Amelia twirled in her dress, letting Edward catch a glimpse of the bare skin of her upper back before placing her hand lightly on his forearm.
‘You take care of her, Sir Edward,’ Mrs Henshaw said. ‘The young men will be flocking to her side.’
Edward didn’t mean to let Amelia out of his sight. The young men of the village would not even get a chance to court Amelia. He had perfected his glare if any strayed too close or tarried too long.
‘Goody, you look very lovely this evening,’ Amelia said as she finished her twirl. ‘Are you accompanying us to the dance?’
Edward looked his housekeeper up and down and realised Amelia was right, Mrs Henshaw was dressed in her finest. He wondered if she had taken it upon herself to chaperon them and his heart sank at the thought.
‘Well, I am going to the dance,’ Mrs Henshaw said, her ruddy cheeks colouring a little. ‘But I wouldn’t dream of inviting myself along with you two young things. Mr Guthry is calling for me in half an hour.’
‘Mr Guthry?’ Edward asked, bemused.
Amelia clapped her hands together in joy and Edward wondered if there was something he was missing.
‘Well, you have a wonderful time, Goody, and give our regards to Mr Guthry. Perhaps you would be so kind as to ask him to visit tomorrow so we can discuss what his assistant found in London when he was seeking my cousin.’
‘Of course, my dear.’
Edward could see the flicker of worry on Amelia’s face at the thought of her cousin. They did not know the whole story yet, but Mr Guthry had sent a short note telling them his assistant had not been able to find Lizzie in London. There had been some sort of accident involving the house Lizzie had been staying in and Lizzie, along with Amelia’s aunt and other cousin, had travelled to Cambridgeshire whilst they recuperated. Amelia had been beside herself with worry, and Edward made a mental note to send someone to Cambridgeshire himself to track this errant cousin down.
Amelia placed her hand on his arm and together they walked outside.
‘What was that all about?’ Edward asked quietly, gesturing back towards Goody.
‘I think Goody and Mr Guthry are courting.’
‘Really?’
‘Really. He’s stopped by on a couple of occasions and always finds some excuse to head to the kitchens to seek Goody out.’
Edward supposed it made sense. Both had lost a spouse many years ago and now lived solitary lives, and both were kind and jolly people. When he thought about it they were a perfect match for each other.
‘He’d better not steal my housekeeper,’ Edward grumbled.
Amelia swatted him on the arm, ‘I know you want them to be happy,’ she said. ‘Anyway, I don’t think wild animals could drag Goody away from you and Beechwood Manor. No, if things go well I think you would be more likely to gain a live-in estate manager rather than lose a housekeeper.’
Edward grunted, but he rather liked the idea of Mrs Henshaw finding a bit of happiness of her own.
‘Are you nervous?’ he asked as he helped her up into the waiting carriage.
‘I’ve never been to a country dance before,’ Amelia answered.
‘I’m sure it’s not like the grand balls you’re used to.’
Amelia shook her head. ‘I’ve never been to a grand ball. Sometimes my father would take my cousin and me to one of the regimental balls, but I’ve never been to anything special.’
Edward didn’t say anything, wondering if she was regretting having to stay in the country with him rather than taking her rightful place in London society.
‘I suppose if I hadn’t run off to chase Captain McNair I’d be getting ready for some grand ball now,’ Amelia said with a small smile.
‘Do you wish you were?’
‘There’s nowhere I’d rather be,’ she said, squeezing his arm.
Edward wondered if he should kiss her. Sitting next to her in the carriage with his thighs pushed up against hers and her hair occasionally tickling his neck, he felt almost intoxicated with desire. It would be so easy to lean over and kiss her. He knew she wouldn’t object, he’d seen how she looked at him, how she shivered when he touched her. Amelia would welcome the kiss, but he knew he should hold back.
They both deserved more than a hurried kiss in a moving carriage. Edward deserved the time to work out what he was feeling for Amelia and Amelia deserved to be courted and wooed by a man who was sure of what he could offer. It would be the cruellest deed imaginable if he kissed her and led her on only to tell her he could never love her and they didn’t have a future together. So with a gargantuan effort Edward sat back and listened to Amelia talk of the regimental balls in India and reminisce about the time before she’d met Captain McNair when she was happy.
* * *
As they pulled up to the village hall Edward jumped down from the carriage, turned and assisted Amelia out. She looked nervous and quickly glanced right and left as if checking the coast was clear.
‘He won’t be here, Amelia,’ Edward said softly. ‘McNair will be far away by now.’
She nodded, relaxing a little as he led her into the hall. The dancing had already started. A group of lively musicians were playing a familiar tune on their assorted instruments and the hoard of people gathered in the village hall were twirling and stomping and sashaying in time. The room was hot from all the warm bodies crushed inside despite the large open windows and high barn-like ceiling.
As soon as they entered all eyes were on them and a murmur of surprise spread round the hall. He’d been a recluse for too long for his re-emergence into society to not cause a stir and now everyone would want a little piece of his story.
‘Sir Edward,’ a portly man called as he hustled over. Edward desperately tried to remember the man’s name and summoned up a smile. ‘What a pleasure to see you here. We are honoured you have graced our simple country dance with your presence.’
‘May I introduce a dear friend, Miss Amelia?’ Edward said, watching as Amelia curtsied.
‘A pleasure to meet you. I hope you enjoy the dancing tonight, Miss Amelia.’
‘I’m certain I shall. The music is so lively and the atmosphere wonderful.’
The portly man beamed at the compliment.
‘Sir Edward, let me reintroduce you to some old faces who will be delighted to see you again.’
Edward was about to protest when the portly man beckoned over a rather handsome young man.
‘This is my son, Mr
Leonard Goone. Leonard, I’m sure you remember Sir Edward? And this delightful young woman is Miss Amelia.’
Goone the Younger bowed over Amelia’s hand. Edward felt his frown beginning to build as the younger man lingered just a few moments too long over her hand and flashed Amelia a charming smile.
‘Maybe you could lead Miss Amelia in the next dance, Leonard, whilst I have a word with Sir Edward.’
‘It would be my pleasure...if you would do me the honour, Miss Amelia?’
And just like that Amelia was whisked off in the company of an attractive young man whilst Edward could only watch. He wanted to run after them, snatch Amelia away and squirrel her back to Beechwood Manor where he didn’t have to share her with anyone.
The next ten minutes dragged by, with reintroductions to all of the most important men of the area. Edward had known these men well before the fire and all were eager to renew their acquaintance, but he only had eyes for Amelia. Whilst the older men droned on about crop prices and finding a decent land agent, Edward nodded and agreed without paying much attention. His eyes were fixed on the dancing and in particular one very beautiful young woman in a light blue dress.
The young men were flocking to her and if he didn’t step in soon she wouldn’t have a single dance left for him.
‘Please excuse me for a moment,’ he murmured and stepped away.
Quickly he strode across the room, waited for the current dance to finish and then inserted himself in between Amelia and her partner.
‘I say, old chap, I think it’s my dance next,’ a young man with a rather flamboyant taste in clothing said.
Edward restrained himself from growling at the man and instead fixed him with a silent glare. The man backed away. Next to him Amelia giggled.
‘There was no need for that,’ she said as he took her into his arms for the next dance.
‘There was every need.’
For the next five minutes it was as though they were the only two in the room. He held her close, probably closer than was socially appropriate, his hands pressing against the silky material of her dress. Amelia was light on her feet, a natural dancer, and she needed only the gentlest of guidance from him. For his part Edward actually enjoyed the dance. Never before could he remember wanting the music to continue for eternity, but tonight he didn’t want the magical moment to end.
‘Thank you,’ Amelia said as the last note was played.
‘Shall we step outside for a few minutes? It’s rather warm.’ Edward swept Amelia out of the path of an eager young man, glaring at the impromptu suitor until he cringed under the force of Edward’s disapproval.
‘That would be lovely.’
The doors to the hall had been thrown open in an attempt to cool the stifling room and many couples and groups had drifted outside. Edward guided Amelia to a spot under the great oak that stood in the village square a few hundred feet away. Here they were still visible to the rest of the guests in attendance, but they would have a modicum of privacy at least.
It was a clear night and for a few moments they stood looking up at the stars in the sky.
‘When I was younger my father would spend hours pointing out constellations,’ Amelia said. ‘I never paid much attention, but I wish I had now.’
Edward smiled. He could imagine a younger Amelia restless and inattentive to her father’s lessons.
‘That one up there that looks a little like a plough, that’s Ursa Minor. And this one over here that looks like a bear, that’s Ursa Major.’
‘You paid attention to your lessons.’
Edward smiled. ‘My father was a bit of an enthusiast when it came to stargazing. Sometimes on clear nights he would take me up to the roof of Beechwood Manor and we would just lie back and spend hours looking at the stars.’
It made him feel peculiarly content to know that on one of those occasions somewhere half a world away Amelia might have been looking at the very same stars.
‘Amelia, I’ve been wanting to talk to you ever since the incident on the beach,’ Edward said, feeling as nervous as a schoolboy on his first day at school. ‘That whole episode put a few things in perspective and...’ He trailed off. Amelia wasn’t listening.
He coughed, his heart sinking as he wondered if she just didn’t want to hear what he had to say, then followed her gaze over his shoulder.
Strolling towards them down the village high street was Captain McNair. He had a cruel smile on his lips and twirled a walking cane as he approached.
Amelia was frozen in place and even as Edward grabbed hold of her arm she didn’t respond. This wasn’t the time or the place for a confrontation with McNair. If he could just get Amelia back to Beechwood Manor he would be able to protect her better.
Bodily he dragged Amelia a few steps before her head snapped round and her eyes met his. He’d never seen such an expression of despair or panic and he wished he could make her feel safe from this scoundrel and whatever else life had to throw at her for ever.
‘Let’s go,’ Edward said quietly.
McNair was only two hundred feet away when Amelia jerked out of her trance and responded. Hand in hand they dashed down the high street and rounded the corner to where the short row of coaches were waiting to take the few people who lived outside the village home. Edward spotted their coach and Tom the groom who was acting as coachman for the evening in the middle of the row.
‘Tom,’ he roared, waking the slumbering man.
Tom sprang upright, rubbed the sleep from his eyes and guided the coach into the middle of the road just as Edward and Amelia reached it. Edward near enough threw Amelia inside and vaulted up after her. The coach was already moving by the time he’d settled on one of the seats, but he was just in time to see McNair jump out of the way of the moving carriage as they thundered past.
As the Captain disappeared into the distance Edward saw him point after the carriage with the walking cane and then slowly draw the handle across his neck. Next to him he heard Amelia choke back a sob. Quickly he gathered her in his arms and held her tight to his chest.
He would protect her, no matter what.
Chapter Twenty
Amelia was a nervous wreck. Every little sound made her jump and cower and every shadow made her heart beat just that little bit faster. She wasn’t sure how McNair had traced her back to the village, but it didn’t really matter. By now he would have worked out where she was staying and it was only a matter of time before he appeared to exact his revenge.
All night different scenarios had been charging through her mind. In one he arrived with an unforgiving magistrate who ruled she should hang for attacking a decorated Captain. In another he waited until she fell asleep and then slipped in and stabbed her whilst she slumbered. Needless to say Amelia hadn’t slept at all.
Edward had stayed with her the entire night. On their return to Beechwood Manor he’d instructed a fire to be lit in his study, then he’d settled her down into one of the comfortable armchairs and taken up position in the other. All night he’d sat with her, talked to her in his calm, soothing voice, and when the first rays of light had filtered in through the window he’d escorted her to her room and promised to remain in a chair outside the door whilst she rested for a few hours.
A light tap at the door made Amelia sit up and a few seconds later Edward entered quietly.
‘I heard you tossing and turning,’ he said.
‘I can’t sleep, every time I close my eyes I think he’s going to pounce on me.’
Edward approached the bed and after a moment’s hesitation sat down next to her.
‘I will protect you, Amelia. McNair won’t get close to you.’
She looked up into his deep dark eyes and saw the sincerity burning there and felt herself relax a little.
‘Why are you doing all this for me?’ she
asked quietly.
Edward frowned as if he didn’t understand the question.
‘All of this. I’m not your responsibility and I just keep bringing you trouble.’
Amelia found she was holding her breath whilst she waited for Edward’s answer. She wanted him to declare his love for her, to tell her he would do anything for her, tell her she was his entire world. Deep down Amelia knew it couldn’t be true, that it would be just too much to hope for, but she wished all the same.
‘Come for a walk with me,’ Edward said. ‘It’s a beautiful day and if we’re outside then McNair truly won’t know where to look. There’s eight hundred acres of land out there for us to get lost in.’
She wondered if she should push him, repeat the question, but something told her he would answer in his own time. Maybe when they were away from the house and he’d had chance to clear his head a little.
Edward waited outside her door whilst she changed and escorted her downstairs to his study. Before leaving they picked up a blanket to lay on the grass if they fancied a rest and as usual Edward packed some paper and pencils into his bulging satchel.
Being in the fresh air did make Amelia feel better. All night she had tormented herself with McNair’s face, but now with Edward’s reassurance that he would protect her and a warm breeze clearing some of the cobwebs from her mind she felt a little more positive.
They walked in silence for a while, both lost in their own thoughts, and it was only as Amelia realised she didn’t know where they were that she started to pay attention to their surroundings.
‘Where are we?’ she asked, looking around, trying to find some familiar landmark to orientate herself. In the time she had been at Beechwood Manor she had explored much of the estate, especially the parts close to the house, but she didn’t recognise where they were now at all.