It moved three inches.
Cecilia laughed. “I can see this might not be the game for me.”
“Nonsense.” Lucy put her arm around her. “It’s only your first day. Let’s step over next to Oliver to give Conrad a try.”
Bother. They haven’t forgotten me. I should have scurried behind that oak while they were otherwise occupied. I do not want to do this. At best, I will humiliate myself.
Amelia strolled in his direction. Sunlight dappled across her pale skin and glinted across her eyes, which looked to be caught in bright green flames. Her plump lips curved into a smile. Exactly how long had it been since she’d kissed him that first night? Had that really been the only time?
Funny that, since he’d replayed it so many times in his mind that it should have been a thousand kisses instead of one.
“Conrad, it’s your turn.” She wrapped her long fingers around his upper arm and squeezed. Her breast pressed against his sleeve.
“I…” His mouth went dry.
Amelia angled her head. “What was that?”
“That is, I’d rather not play.”
“Rather… not?”
“Yes, that’s right. Rather. Not.”
“Don’t be silly. Come along.” She tugged hard and he stumbled. A scant moment before he completely lost his balance, she wrapped her arms around his middle. “There now. I have you.”
Oh my… you certainly do.
“Ready?”
He leaned forward, his eyes half closed. To kiss you? Always…
The slight intake of air through her partly opened lips was his only clue that he should not do what he had intended.
He opened his eyes wide and turned his head. Oliver chuckled. Lucy’s hand was over her mouth, holding back laughter. And Cecilia’s face was red, but she, too, had a mischievous grin.
Hmm. He stood upright again and pulled away from Amelia. He straightened his hat and coat and cleared his throat. What was I thinking? I’d completely forgotten the rest of them were even here!
Amelia bit her lower lip and her nostrils flared slightly. Was she trying to hold back amusement as well? “Um… ready to play Pall Mall?”
He stood up straight. “Of course. That’s what I… I… Of course.”
She tugged on his arm again drawing him toward the others but kept a tighter hold on him. Did she think he would fly away?
Stop thinking of bird references. It only gets you in trouble.
The other three in their party were all still grinning like Bedlamites.
All right… in more trouble.
He accepted the mallet from Oliver and stepped to the ball that sat a couple of feet away. As he bent slightly at the waist, Amelia’s long arms came around his middle from behind. The aroma of lavender engulfed him. Her fingers grasped his where they held the mallet.
What is she doing? Doesn’t she realize that I want nothing more than to throw her to the lawn and ravage her with kisses?
Amelia placed her chin on his shoulder blade. “Now just bring back the mallet slowly and give it a good smack.”
His hands shook. Smack? Smack what? Oh yes… the ball. But thoughts of anything besides her warmth against his back, her arms dangerously close to his lower extremities, and her sweet scent drifting around his nose flew away on the breeze.
Somewhere in the back of his mind, he acknowledged that he pulled back on the mallet and then drew it forward toward the ball.
“There! You’ve hit the ball, Conrad.”
He looked down.
It had moved one inch.
Oh the humanity.
Laughter came from behind and from a few feet away.
He shut his eyes briefly. Blast! I cannot appear as meek and mild as my little sister! Conrad pushed away Amelia’s arms and leaned down to the ball again. He turned his head to the side and said through clenched teeth. “Stand away, I’m going to hit it. Hard.”
Though Amelia still smirked, she nodded and stepped back a few feet. “As you wish, Lord Lofton.”
She was mocking him! No more of that. He bent a little farther and pulled back on the mallet, raising it high above and behind him.
With all the strength he could muster, he swung it down. The loud crack of the wood against the ball echoed about the gardens and back. I’ve hit it! His elation turned to horror, however, when the ball not only sailed through the air, over the intended target of the hoop, past a row of roses and hedge and toward the very tree behind which he’d hoped to hide but a few moments prior.
Oh no…
The ball climbed higher and punched through thick leaves halfway up the tree. A startled squeak, followed by a chattering squawk produced something small and red that fell from above.
What in the world…Conrad squinted. A squirrel?
The rodent, its fur bristled and its tail waving like a raised flag ran right at Conrad. Its little razor-like teeth were bared.
It’s going to bite me!
Shock and fright coursed through Conrad. His hands turned icy and the mallet slipped to the ground, landing with a thump.
Run. I should run. Why won’t my legs move?
The animal raced forward, its tiny claws tearing into the dirt. It chattered louder and jumped into the air.
And landed on Conrad’s shoulder.
Conrad screamed.
I’m going to die at the hands of the earth’s tiniest beast.
He closed his eyes. This is not how I envisioned my end. How sad. But how fitting. A lonely earl and his executioner… the squirrel.
Cool air wafted over his forehead and hair. The squirrel’s chatter increased but was somehow harder to hear. If it’s on my shoulder shouldn’t it be louder?
He opened his eyes. The red squirrel, with Conrad’s headwear clenched in its teeth, had jumped to the ground. It tugged the hat toward the tree. The animal was moving backward because the hat was bigger than the squirrel. Does the insane rodent think it’s going to drag my hat up into—?
Quick as lightning, the squirrel dove beneath the hat and turned. Its tail and feet were the only things visible beneath the brim. Conrad’s hat ran up the side of the tree and disappeared into the leaves.
Conrad’s heart raced. With a shaky hand he pointed in the direction where the squirrel had disappeared. “That fluffy-tailed fiend has absconded with my hat!”
Chapter Twenty
A flurry of activity spun around Amelia. Today Conrad and his mother were coming for a visit. Her stomach twisted in knots. She’d met her future mother-in-law so she knew how disagreeable she could be. But her own mother might be even worse. How would they get through having tea with both of them without someone doing someone else serious bodily harm?
A kitchen maid whisked by her with a tray holding several different types of tarts. How many people did her mother think they would be serving? Another maid carried a huge pot of steaming tea. If they consumed its contents, they’d float away as if on the Thames.
“Amelia, you’re not wearing that, are you?”
She glanced down at her new dress. The one she’d had specially made for today. “Yes… I was thinking that—”
Her mother squelched any further words to her response. It was amazing what the woman could do with a frown and lowered bushy eyebrows.
Amelia turned and headed back to her bedroom to change. She knew what her mother wanted her to wear… that outlandish bright green dress that along with her red hair made everyone wish for Christmas. But if she didn’t wear that, Mother would have an apoplectic fit.
Today would not be a good day for one of those. Not that any day was.
When she reached her room, Annie was there. What did she want?
The maid, her face red and angry, practically seethed, chest heaving, boot tapping against the wooden planks of the floor.
What now…? “Something amiss, Annie?”
“Why yes, as a matter of fact.”
Sorry I asked. “And that would be…?”
“I’ve
been told by one of the grooms that you had an outing yesterday.”
“Alert the news. It’s a miracle.” She stepped to her closet and drew out the ugly dress of her mother’s choosing. It was Annie’s job to do that, but Amelia hadn’t the time to wait for her to finish her tirade before dressing.
“What I’ve heard is that you had someone else, a stranger, along as your chaperone.”
Ah… so that was it. “Yes.”
“So you don’t deny it?”
She turned sharply. “Annie, I’ll thank you to watch your tone. Sometimes I think you forget your place.”
Annie had the decency to look chagrined. For about three seconds. “Who was the girl?” She at least fetched the shoes that matched the gown while she pouted.
“Not that it’s any of your concern, but she is a… friend of Lord Lofton’s.”
Annie’s eyebrows rose to her hairline. “Oh? A friend?”
Amelia groaned inwardly. I’ve done it now. Who knows what kind of drivel the irritable maid will spread now. “Yes. A friend.” She turned her back. “Kindly unbutton me. I’ve guests coming soon.”
Rough hands undid the buttons, tugging harder than was necessary.
“Leave the buttons intact, Annie. I do plan to wear the dress again at some point.”
Her maid harrumphed.
Why is she the one that Mother insists I must use? But then she brightened. Soon, though, very soon, I won’t have to deal with her any longer. I won’t live here. I’ll be Lady Lofton. Amelia chuckled.
“Something amusing, Miss Talbot?”
“Yes.”
Annie’s hands paused over the buttons. Amelia could guess the other woman desired to know what caused Amelia’s change in mood.
Amelia shook her head but said nothing further. Too bad for you, dear Annie. You’ll have to stew on it because I won’t be sharing my happy thought with you.
Once dressed, she winced at her reflection in the looking glass. Hopefully her appearance in the horrid thing wouldn’t cause Conrad to turn tail and run. Though she couldn’t blame him. For the dress or…
She wished just for one day she could forget about how their betrothal had come about. When she’d first come up with the scheme, she hadn’t really known Conrad. She’d met him, but hadn’t spoken to him much beyond polite platitudes.
Since spending time with him, though, something had taken control of her heart. I never expected that. Was just desperate for a way out of marriage to a wrinkled old goat. But Conrad’s eyes had drawn her in. And when she’d kissed him… Scandalous, yes. But she’d thought it necessary at the time to fully secure their future union. She’d needed the further excuse of kissing him in hopes that Annie would tattle to Amelia’s parents. And she had.
That kiss… Her lips warmed at the thought of the searing heat that had raced though her body all the way to her slipper-covered toes.
How could physical contact with someone you barely knew make such an impact?
Instant attraction. She’d heard of it before but had never believed it truly possible. Well it was.
And it’s happened to me.
She left her room, leaving Annie gaping at her. Let her wonder at my amusement. It will give her something to do, since she doesn’t seem to do much else around here.
As she descended the stairs, her good humor fled. Mother was yelling at the butler in her nasal whine. Something about a stain on the settee.
That stain, a tiny almost imperceptible speck, had been there for years, a product of a drop of spilled red wine that no one had noticed at first. And when they did, that stain was set and could not be removed.
Mother was the only one who ever even noticed it. Amelia had had to lean down very close to the fabric and squint to even make it out.
She sighed. Was this the way the visit with Conrad and his mother would go? Probably.
Getting their two maternal figures together might not have been such a great idea.
She reached the bottom of the stairs and stopped. One of the downstairs maids rushed by her in tears.
But isn’t that how she treated Annie? Amelia frowned. But she deserved it. She’s so mean and the other servants are at least cordial. A tiny speck of guilt nagged at her but she pushed it away. No time to dwell on it now. Our guests will soon arrive.
A knock came from the front door. The butler passed by Amelia and headed in that direction.
They’re here! She pressed her hand against her middle. Stay calm, Amelia.
Her mother emerged from the parlor, perfectly coifed and dressed. “There you are. And don’t you look divine?”
Amelia glanced down and inwardly winced. She took care not to let her feelings show on her face. That would only incite her mother’s further irritation and now was not the time for that.
As she stepped to the parlor to stand with her mother, Amelia glanced around. Everything seemed in order. But then of course it would be. That was what her mother was good at. Yelling at the servants until perfection was achieved.
Poor people. But you don’t feel any remorse toward treating Annie the same way. She again pushed aside the thought. That’s different. She’s spiteful and mean.
The butler reached the door and opened it, welcoming their guests.
Conrad handed the butler his hat and then looked up.
Must be his third favorite hat, since the red squirrel now owned one and the elephant had drooled on the other.
His gaze connected with hers and he smiled. He tilted his head slightly toward his mother and raised his eyebrows.
Ah yes, I agree. Mothers can be so trying. With a nearly imperceptible nod, she smiled back and darted a glance toward her own mother.
Conrad gave a wink. Wink?
She bit her lip, suddenly overcome with mirth. Oh dear, if this is to be the flavor of the visit, I’m not sure I can hold in my laughter.
Amelia’s mother took Amelia’s hand and tugged her to their guests. The four stood face to face, eye to eye. But no one spoke.
Boots tapped and sighs were heaved. Why wasn’t Mother saying anything? Was she waiting for their guests to speak first?
Fine. Then I will take the lead.
Amelia curtseyed to Conrad and his mother. “Lord Lofton, Lady Lofton, how pleasant to see you today.”
Conrad’s mother grimaced. Wonderful. So that’s how it would be, then.
Conrad nodded his head. “And you as well, Miss Talbot. Mrs. Talbot, lovely to see you again.”
“Welcome to our home.”
Lady Lofton mumbled something that sounded like tripe, but Amelia couldn’t be sure. Judging from Conrad’s sharp intake of breath, however, proved it to be something not very kind.
The butler stood in the doorway to the parlor. “Tea is served, Mrs. Talbot.”
She nodded once, a short, jerky movement, and followed the butler into the nearby room.
Conrad waited until all of the ladies were seated before sitting down next to his mother.
How I wish it were just he and I, alone… A memory of them that first evening when she’d invited him to her small gathering floated through her mind. Her tight, low-cut dress. Strawberries and cream.
That kiss. Oh my.
Her mother looked at her and frowned. “Amelia, you’ve a flush.”
She grabbed her handkerchief from her sleeve and waved it in front of her face. “Have I?”
Conrad’s expression was one of amusement. Left eyebrow raised. Right side only of his mouth turned up. Was he remembering the same?
A maid served them tea and tarts and then stood in the corner to await further instruction. Amelia was glad it wasn’t Annie. That maid’s reaction might have been to throw the tarts at them and pour tea in their laps.
No one reached for their tea. No one nibbled even a bite of their tart. What now? Should she say something? Do something?
It being the first and only time she’d entertained a betrothed at her home, she knew not how to begin.
Her mother
saved her the trouble. She leaned forward and glared at Conrad’s mother. What was she doing? She’d never even met the woman. Of course I know how disagreeable Lady Lofton is, but she doesn’t.
Could it possibly be a case of recognizing a nasty kindred spirit?
Lady Lofton leaned forward as well. Saints be praised, the two matriarchs weren’t alone in the room. Amelia wasn’t sure who would emerge the victor. Or even alive.
Conrad tapped his mother’s arm to gain her attention. “Mother…”
She didn’t pay him any attention.
He tapped harder. “Mother.”
She turned her head. “What?”
“Perhaps you and Mrs. Talbot could discuss something pleasant, such as…” He shrugged. “The… wedding?”
Amelia’s heart leapt. That was the first time he’d actually mentioned it. The wedding. Their wedding. The event that would change their lives forever.
Lady Lofton shrugged. “I suppose.” She looked at Amelia’s mother. “What do you think?”
“About what?”
“About discussing… the wedding.”
“It’s already planned.”
Amelia’s jaw dropped open. “It is?”
Her mother glared. “It is.”
Conrad heaved a sigh. “Very well, then. How about we discuss something else?”
His mother frowned. “Such as?”
“The…” He glanced at Amelia.
Poor man. At least he was trying. She added, “The… weather?”
Lady Lofton scowled. “What’s so interesting about the weather? It happens every day. And it’s outside. And it can stay there.”
This isn’t going well. Not in the least. Amelia picked up her tea and took a sip. Still too hot. She set down the cup and swallowed, and then placed her napkin over her mouth. If she made too much of a fuss, it would only give her mother something else to complain about. Her eyes watered and she swallowed again.
Conrad nodded at her as he picked up his own cup, as if thanking her for the suggestion of drinking the tea in lieu of starting another maternal argument.
No no no! I didn’t mean for you to — Oh this would be… She held out her hands to get his attention, but it was too late.
The Unwanted Earl (The Love Bird Series) Page 15