“At any rate, Mother, Miss Talbot has somehow found out about me, didn’t believe me when I insisted I couldn’t afford a bride, and expects that I marry her, soon, or she’ll tell what she knows to anyone who will listen.”
She gasped.
Conrad leaned closer. “Must I spell out for you what would happen if that were to occur?”
Slowly shaking her head back and forth, his mother let out a groan. “No. You don’t.”
“At least we agree on that.”
“What happens now?”
“Now? I suppose I have no choice but to marry her. And the sooner the better.”
“Wait. If you marry her too soon and people have not noticed the two of you about together, tongues will wag.”
“What do you suggest? I have no choice.”
“You must court her.”
It was Conrad’s turn to groan. “Can I not just wed her and get it over with? She’ll find out soon enough that she was wrong about my finances.” Even though that had changed thanks to Oliver, he still needed to keep up the front to his mother for the time being.
“No, you cannot. You must take her to all of the events that young people attend when they are planning to wed.”
This can’t be happening. “But I do not wish to do all of that.”
“Conrad, this is something I must insist upon. If I’m to be saddled with some whiney, sniveling girl for a daughter-in-law, it must at least appear proper to an outsider. You will court her. And that’s final.” She crossed her arms over her ample bosom.
Perhaps she was right. That one time. Though he’d never admit it to her face. “Very well.” I guess I can do a couple of social events. As long as it doesn’t involve the out-of-doors.
She clapped. “Wonderful. I’ll come up with a list of all the places you must take her.”
“How many places are we talking about? I’d thought perhaps the opera. And if necessary, spend a few minutes at a ball.”
“Oh, Conrad, that won’t do. Not at all.”
Chapter Seven
Amelia’s heart fluttered. Today was her first outing with Conrad. Lady Lofton, who she had yet to meet, had apparently insisted that Conrad properly court Amelia prior to their upcoming nuptials. Where would they go? The Tower of London zoo? Or perhaps the Bird Sanctuary? Either would be fine with her, as long as it was out-of-doors.
Her maid handed her a warm pelisse to wear over her dress. Earlier, when Amelia had glanced out the window, she had noticed the tree branches swaying in a slight breeze.
She’d decided on a mint green dress because she knew how well it complemented her red hair and fair skin. Would Conrad agree? A frown crept over her face. Why am I wondering that? I’ve not given him any choice in the matter of marrying me. Chances are, he hates me for what I’m doing. And who could blame him?
With a shrug, she left her room and headed down the long staircase. Her father had requested to see her before Conrad arrived. Surely Father wouldn’t wish to speak to Conrad today?
Amelia bit her lip. You ninny, naturally he will. You’re to be courted by someone who may be your future husband. As far as her father knew, it was still just speculation. But Amelia knew differently. And she could tell no one. How would her father treat Conrad? If she knew her father, he would be overly friendly with him because of his title and wealth.
How will Conrad treat me? If it’s how I deserve, he’ll be hateful and rude. But perhaps… just perhaps, he’ll see past my indiscretion and see me for who I truly am.
Doubt plagued her. No, Amelia, that’s not likely to happen. She may as well push that dream aside. But it’s what I truly want. When she’d kissed Conrad, something happened. Some kind of spark ignited deep within her. She’d always been curious about him, and even thought him attractive, but they’d never exchanged more than a few words.
Lucy, though, had thought him repulsive. Conrad was the opposite in looks of Oliver, so it made sense that she might find him unattractive. But repulsive? No. Oliver was handsome, true, but in an obvious, tall, dark and muscular way. Conrad, though, possessed the tall, lithe frame Amelia preferred. His skin was too pale, but Amelia would remedy that with their outings to various parks about the city. Plenty of outdoors and sunshine would take care of it.
And those eyes… pale blue so clear they revealed his soul, as if secrets resided there just waiting to be uncovered.
Secrets…
Certainly Conrad had wanted the secret of his parentage kept hidden and it had been, until Amelia came along.
Guilt weighed heavily on her heart. She wished Conrad would have succumbed to her charms the old-fashioned way and would have asked for her hand without her resorting to blackmail.
Amelia gritted her teeth. It was with no thanks to her father, though. What was a woman supposed to do when faced by the choice of that, or having to marry a man who was eighty? Still, now she felt the weight of remorse. It wasn’t fair to Conrad. Not in the least.
She entered her father’s study and stopped abruptly. There he stood, Lord Lofton. Why hadn’t the butler alerted her of his arrival? Conrad turned. Amelia’s mouth went dry. Those eyes. They seemed to be even more arresting than the other evening when they’d been together. When she’d touched his face, kissed—
“Amelia.” Her father’s gruff voiced caught her attention.
“Y-yes, Father?”
“Lord Lofton is ready to take you out for the day. Do you have a proper chaperone?”
“Of course. Annie will accompany us.”
“Fine.” He smiled at Conrad. “Delighted to make your acquaintance, my lord.”
“It’s my pleasure, as well, Mr. Talbot.” But his smile didn’t reach his eyes. And why would it? He surely didn’t want to be there. “And you as well, Mrs. Talbot.”
Until that moment, Amelia hadn’t noticed her mother sitting in the far corner. What would her thoughts be about Conrad? Amelia had no doubt she would hear them very soon.
Conrad turned to Amelia and held out his arm. “Miss Talbot? Are you ready to depart?”
She knew she should bow out, knew what she was doing to him was wrong… But when he looked at her like that, his eyes peering into hers, her memory of their shared kiss still lingering on her lips, she couldn’t. Just couldn’t. She wanted to know the man much better. And if afterward, she saw that they wouldn’t be a proper match, that it would be a mistake to marry, then she would break it off.
Just let me see what it’s like to be in love, just this once then I’ll let him go… Until then, she’d enjoy their time together. And maybe, if things went exceptionally well, Conrad would see her for more than someone who had once taken advantage of his station. Someone he could care for…
No, Amelia. Why would that ever happen? Considering what you’re doing to him, why would he ever love you?
The truth of it burned in her stomach. Yes, it was a horrible, despicable thing to do. With that, though, Amelia was even more determined to make it up to Conrad. He will fall in love with me. I know it.
She took his arm, and they walked to his waiting carriage, with Annie close behind. Amelia raised her eyebrows. If the driver had gotten any closer to the door, he would have been parked on top of their hedge. Was this normal behavior for him?
She glanced to her right to see Conrad’s reaction. He didn’t seem in the least upset about the location of his carriage. In fact, his steps increased in speed as if he were in a hurry to reach it. How odd.
The groom assisted her and Annie into the carriage and Conrad followed them up. Annie sat next to Amelia, sitting so close that Amelia was crowded into a corner. She eyed the maid. Good heavens, couldn’t the woman give her some room? She leaned in Annie’s direction until the maid frowned and finally moved away.
A quick glance to Conrad showed a slight lifting of one side of his mouth. He thought her dilemma amusing? Her own mouth lifted in response. Perhaps there was hope for the man yet.
Amelia batted her eyelashes at Conrad. “Wh
ere might we be going today, Lord Lofton?”
He smoothed down his already perfectly groomed light hair. “I thought perhaps we might stop at a shop somewhere and have some tea.”
Tea? Her smile fell from her lips. “Oh.”
“Is that not acceptable, Miss Talbot?”
She shrugged. “I was hoping for…”
“Yes? What were you hoping?”
“I rather had my heart set on something different.”
“And what might that have been?”
“The Bird Sanctuary. It’s one of my favorite destinations.”
His already pale complexion turned pure white. “Ah…”
“Is something amiss, my lord?”
He tugged at his cravat. “No… no… I, that is, no.”
“Wonderful. The Bird Sanctuary it is.” Why was Conrad so frighteningly pale? She couldn’t imagine anyone not liking the Sanctuary. The trees, the flowers, and of course the birds. The ducks and geese were some of her favorites, but she also had a fondness for the common cuckoo. It was such a funny bird and always made her laugh.
Conrad instructed the driver of their destination and then he sat back against the seat. With a shaky hand, he withdrew a white handkerchief from his coat pocket. Perspiration dotted his forehead, but disappeared once he blotted his face with the piece of cloth.
It wasn’t warm outside. Actually, the day was quite cool. Why would he be perspiring? Unless he was ill. Amelia narrowed her eyes as she scrutinized him. Pale, clammy, skin, clothes that hung on his slight frame. But he had no cough or sneeze at present. He’d had that coughing fit at her home, but she hadn’t thought him ill then, either. Perhaps he just needed more time outdoors. Much more time.
It will be my mission not only to get him to draw closer to me, but to ensure that he has an enjoyable visit with lots of fresh air and sunshine.
The nearer they got to the Sanctuary, the more birds Amelia noticed. Chirping, twittering, flying, and darting about the carriage. Her heart gladdened. She’d spend every day there if she could. A brown and white bird flew by the window, squawking a greeting as it went.
A gasp sounded from across the carriage. Conrad’s mouth hung open. What in the world was the matter?
Amelia edged forward. “Lord Lofton? Are you unwell?”
He swallowed, the action moving his cravat in and out against his neck. “Fine. Yes… perfectly…” He wiped his face with his handkerchief. “Fine.”
She’d thought he couldn’t become any paler, but he had. Amelia left her seat and crossed the carriage to sit beside him. Annie harrumphed and mumbled something Amelia was certain wasn’t polite.
Conrad shifted his blue eyes to her, but he said not a word. His eyes widened as she leaned toward him.
“Is there anything I can do to help, my lord?”
He moved his head back and forth, so slowly she almost missed the negative response. But his eyes… those beautiful, glorious eyes, stayed on hers. Amelia felt movement beneath her hand. With a glance down, she sighed. When did I reach out to place my hand on his? His gaze traveled down to their joined hands as well. A slight lifting of the corners of his mouth, so slight she’d thought to have imagined it, was the only indication of his thoughts.
Amelia smiled back until she heard a throat clearing from the other seat. Annie frowned and narrowed her eyes.
As Amelia slipped her hand from Conrad’s, she glared back at the maid. No-good interfering spy. Why can’t she mind her own business? Of course, Amelia and Conrad required a chaperone, but surely the woman could afford them a modicum of privacy?
As surely as Amelia sat there, she knew Annie would expect her to resume her seat across from Conrad. A slow smile spread on Amelia’s lips. They were nearly to the Bird Sanctuary gate. I’m staying right here.
The women glared at each other until Conrad tapped his boot.
Oh dear. I’m not making a very good impression on my husband-to-be, am I?
The carriage wheels squeaked to a stop. A groom opened the door and assisted Amelia and Annie safely to the ground. Conrad followed, his eyes darting in every direction as if he feared someone would do him harm once he alighted from the safety of the carriage.
Amelia latched onto Conrad’s arm as soon as he made it available. She cared not what Annie thought, as the maid walked behind them. Time was of the essence for Amelia to help Conrad see her for the woman she really was. Annie could go jump in the duck pond for all she cared.
Now there was an idea. Stop it, Amelia. You must be nice.
They walked along a shady path beneath some large oak trees. Amelia inhaled the fresh air and sighed. She turned to Conrad. “Don’t you just love to breathe the wonderful air here at the Sanctuary?”
Conrad frowned.
She tugged him closer. “Go ahead. Take a breath. For me?”
With a shrug, Conrad nodded. “As you wish, Miss Talbot.”
“You silly thing. Call me Amelia.” She lowered her voice so Annie wouldn’t hear. “We are to be married after all.”
“All right, Amelia.” He took in a deep breath, expanded his chest, and let out a wheeze to rival a donkey’s bray.
“Good heavens.” Amelia patted his back. “Can you breathe?”
“That is my fervent wish.”
“You needn’t inhale the entire Sanctuary at once.”
“I’ll certainly try to keep that in mind the next time I require oxygen.” He wheezed again.
Amelia grinned. So the earl had a wit about him. All the more reason to think she’d picked the right man to…
Blackmail. The ugly word hung in the corners of her mind. It was wrong, wrong, wrong! But I don’t want to be married to that wrinkled old coot.
“Something amiss, Amelia?”
She swung her gaze in his direction. Oh dear. She’d done it again. Her annoying habit of having arguments with herself was going to get her in trouble. “No, everything is wonderful. Thank you for bringing me to one of my favorite spots in London.”
Conrad tugged at his cravat and eyed the tree nearest them. “Yes. My p-pleasure.”
Why did he seem to be less than thrilled that they were here? She’d never known anyone to balk at a lovely day spent seeing the trees, listening to the birds and taking a leisurely stroll through the extensive grounds.
A sound, not unlike the purring of a kitten, came from just ahead. “Listen. I hear some turtledoves. Don’t you love them?”
Conrad mumbled something she couldn’t quite make out. Was that adorable or abominable?
She tugged on his arm. “Let’s take a closer look.”
With his heels dug into to the path, he resisted. Why was he being so stubborn? She gave a yank, this time stronger, which dislodged him from his rut. He stumbled into her and she caught him just as he would have fallen.
Nose to nose with him, Amelia’s heart raced. How could Lucy not have thought Conrad attractive? Those eyes would be the death of her. And Amelia was relieved that she’d not noticed anything malodorous from Conrad’s breath. Standing this close to him, and having kissed him earlier…
“Pardon me, my lord. I didn’t intend for you to stumble.”
“Then what was your intent? To tug on me so hard I ended up in that tree?”
Amelia’s mouth dropped open. At first. Then, a tiny tickle of laughter moved up her throat until her whole person was overcome with giggles.
Conrad removed his arm from her grasp. “It’s not that amusing.”
“Oh come now. It was a little amusing.” She held up her hand, holding her forefinger and thumb an inch apart. “Just a little?”
One of his eyebrows rose, followed by the other. “Perhaps…” He moved her thumb closer to her finger until no light could be seen between. “That much.” The corners of his mouth lifted in the genuine curve of a smile.
Delighted, Amelia nodded her head. “Yes, perhaps.” Suddenly anxious to see more of the Sanctuary with Conrad, she grabbed his arm again. With a tug, she started up the pa
th, but again felt his resistance.
She turned. “What now? Is there something wrong?”
“Has anyone ever told you that you are quite bold and forward?”
A sputter came from her lips. Of course, her parents had told her that, but usually others simply ignored her brashness or overlooked it. He had actually said the words. “I… Um…”
“I’m not saying it’s repugnant or abhorrent.”
She bristled. “I should hope not.”
“In fact, I prefer it to someone who’s overly meek and timid.”
She tugged his arm again, pleased that he approved of her personality. Once again, he didn’t go with her.
He held up his other hand, first finger in the air. “But… don’t you think the gentleman should take the lead?”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
“Pardon?”
She’d said that out loud? Oh dear. “Well, I…”
“You don’t think you can have an enjoyable outing if you’re not in control?”
“I’ve never…”
“What’s that?”
She lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “I’ve never… tried.”
“I see.”
Amelia frowned. “Just what do you see, Conrad?”
“You seem to like to have you own way.”
“And what’s wrong with that?”
“It can’t always be your way.”
She stomped her boot, causing a small cloud of dust, which rose up and around them. Conrad coughed to the point that Amelia feared for his health. “Oh my, let’s sit down on this bench just ahead.” She watched him closely for signs of further resistance, since she was taking the lead again, as he’d put it.
A nod was her answer, as he couldn’t seem to speak around the coughs. She led him to the bench and sat down next to him. A quick succession of boot taps came from the left. Annie now stood in front of them with her arms crossed. She eyed the nonexistent space between Amelia and Conrad and glared.
She wants us to move apart? Amelia shook her head.
Annie stepped closer, moving her finger back and forth in the air, as if they should indeed separate. Now.
Amelia lowered her eyebrows, pulling even closer to Conrad as he hacked and coughed. I think she means to sit between us. I don’t think so. “No.”
The Unwanted Earl (The Love Bird Series) Page 6