“But… son…” Andrew squeezed Conrad’s hand. “I do appreciate it. Truly… it just would be…”
“I want to do this for you. Please. Allow me?” He blinked rapidly, trying to ward off the tears that threatened to tumble down his cheeks.
Andrew peered down at him. “It’s something you really desire? To have us live… on your property?”
A huge smile spread across Conrad’s face. “Oh yes, it is indeed.”
Andrew shrugged and looked at Cecilia.
Conrad released Andrew’s hand and returned to his chair. “So you’ll accept?”
Cecilia moved to her father’s side and put her arm around his shoulders but said not a word. Andrew reached up and patted her face. “Would you like that, daughter?”
“Oh, Papa… It’s your decision.”
“But would you like it?”
A whisper, so low that Conrad had to lean forward to hear, came from her lips. “Yes, Papa. Yes, I would. And I know Mama would, too.”
Conrad released the breath he’d not realized he’d held.
Chapter Twenty-eight
“My wedding day is tomorrow!” Nervous excitement rippled beneath Amelia’s skin. Her exclamation, however, seemed not to have much effect on her cat Sunny. He barely opened one eye before going back to sleep. At least he’d stopped trying to nap on her wedding dress. Mother would be livid if she found out.
She’d taken it upon herself, no surprise there, to have the arrangements made. At least Amelia was allowed some say in her gown.
She sat down and ran her fingers over the ivory fabric of her dress that was spread out on her bed. Tiny seed pearls lined the edge of the bodice and the cuffs of the long sleeves. Small ribbons of emerald green were tied in bows near the hem, giving the dress some added color. Amelia had wanted her gown to be solid emerald, but Mother wouldn’t hear of it.
She lifted her shoulders in a shrug. No matter. I still get to marry my sweet Conrad. When he’d visited her and told her who Cecilia really was to him and his plan to help them financially, she’d loved him even more than she had before. Although she’d been quite angry and hurt when he’d first arrived.
The thought that he and Cecilia might have been involved… She swallowed and shook her head, ashamed at her words that day. Accusing him of the worst sort of behavior. Shame brought heat to her face. What he must have thought of her, running away from his house, refusing to see him when he called and then being cruel to him when he did gain entrance into her home.
But he had made it clear that he still wanted her. Longed to be with her. When he touched her face or kissed her, she harbored no doubt of his thoughts. She sighed. Tomorrow morning would be the ceremony, then a reception, and finally…
Amelia touched her fingers to her lips. She had kissed Conrad, more than once, and held his hand. Beyond that though…
Beyond that was a mystery. What would happen tomorrow night? Had Conrad had prior experience? Something told her that no, he hadn’t. He’d indicated that women usually did not care for his company, and since Cecilia had turned out to be his sister and not his…
Time to stop dwelling on her flawed past assumptions. The important thing was that she was to be his wife. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around her middle, barely able to contain her joy.
A knock came from the door.
Probably Annie, who’d been even ruder to Amelia since finding out that she’d been replaced as a chaperone by Cecilia.
She smoothed her hands over the dress one last time and then hung it in her armoire. “Come in.”
The door opened. But it wasn’t Annie. “Mother?”
“I need to speak with you, Amelia.” She slipped into the room and shut the door behind her.
Her mother never came to her room just to talk. “What about?”
Mother crossed the room and sat on the bed. She patted the coverlet. “Sit with me, won’t you?”
Suspicion slowed Amelia’s steps. What could she want? But when she reached the bed, she sat down.
“Darling, since you are to be married tomorrow, I thought we should discuss… a few things.”
Oh heavens… she didn’t want to talk about… Heat coursed through her as embarrassment about discussing that brought to mind her mother drawing pictures of couples… Oh dear.
Or worse yet, Mother making reference to her and Father when they—
She shuddered. No, surely not.
“Amelia, you’ve a flush. Are you feeling ill?”
“I’m fine.” Just go away.
“Tomorrow will change your life forever. You do realize that, don’t you?”
“Of course.”
“Don’t be scared, darling.”
“I’m not.”
Her mother stroked a finger down Amelia’s cheek. “My poor brave daughter. You have no idea what will happen to you.”
“Mother, why are you talking like this?”
“I’m afraid that it’s a woman’s plight to have to put up with certain… things once she’s wed.”
Amelia stood and walked to the window. Anything was better than looking at her mother as she described what Amelia was fairly certain would be coming next.
Steps sounded behind her and Amelia’s shoulder warmed as her mother touched her. “It’s all right to be afraid.”
Amelia turned. “But I’m not afraid.”
“You don’t need to put on an act for me.”
“I’m happy I’m going to marry Conrad tomorrow.”
“Of course you’re excited for the ceremony. It’s what happens after…”
“I’m looking forward to that, too.”
“Amelia! How gauche.”
“Why wouldn’t I want to experience that with my new husband?”
“It’s unseemly.”
“Perhaps some would think so, but I don’t.”
Her mother grabbed her by the shoulders. “That’s because you have no idea what’s in store for you.” She turned away. “I was so naïve. I didn’t realize that when you’re alone with your husband—”
Something must have happened on her parents’ wedding night to upset her mother, but Amelia had no desire to hear of it. Please don’t tell me…
“There are certain attributes that a man possesses that a woman does not.”
Amelia covered her eyes with her hand. She’s actually going to say it.
“You see, a man has a… well it’s sort of a…”
No… no…
“I guess you could compare it to a smaller version of an elephant’s—”
“Mother!”
“You need to hear it before it’s thrust upon you at—”
“Mother, really!”
“I’m only trying to help, darling.”
“You’re not helping. Not in the least.”
“But when your father and I first…”
Stop talking.
“He took off his trousers and…”
Please stop talking!
“This thing appeared.”
Oh!
“I nearly had an apoplectic fit right there on the bed.”
Just go away now.
“And when I realized that he intended to place that, that thing in my—”
“Mother!”
“You need to know what’s going to happen to you.”
“No. I don’t.” She placed her hands on her mother’s shoulders, turned her toward the door, opened it and unceremoniously shoved her out into the hall.
“Amelia! How dare you—”
As she slammed the door on her mother’s words, she grimaced. While it was true that she had yet to experience physical love, hearing about it from her mother’s point of view was not the way to find out about it.
Chapter Twenty-nine
The wedding ceremony had been brief, thankfully. With the two mothers glaring at each other from across the short aisle, a longer ceremony might have resulted in bloodshed. Amelia couldn’t believe she was married. Married! Lady L
ofton. Lady Amelia. Lady Amelia Lofton. Would she ever tire of the title? A one-sided smiled crossed her lips. No. Definitely not.
A warm hand wrapped around her waist. “Ready for the reception, darling?”
Amelia sighed and leaned into her husband’s arm. Her dream had come true. She was married, but that was only part of it. Conrad, as amazing as it seemed, did truly love her, in spite of their nefarious beginning. “Quite ready.”
They were helped down from the carriage by the footman. They’d ridden in the carriage alone. A first, since they’d always required a chaperone. Amelia took her husband’s arm. “I know we don’t need Cecilia anymore. But I’m going to miss her company.”
“We can see her as often as you like. I also enjoy her company, you know.” He patted her hand on his arm.
“True. Now she’ll visit us as a friend and a sister.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Not that I’ll tell anyone.”
“I know you won’t. I trust you completely.”
Amelia let out a sigh. “Thank you.”
“And perhaps we won’t be able to acknowledge her as a sister, but I plan to tell everyone that she is our relation.”
“A cousin?”
“Distant, yes. It may be acceptable if we use that title for her, instead.”
“I wish you could say who she really is. Acknowledge your relationship.”
“As do I. Nevertheless, she, her mother and Andrew will always be family.”
“I’m glad.”
“The interesting part of that will be my mother’s reaction.”
“I think interesting may be putting it mildly, Conrad.”
He laughed. Such a hearty sound. When she’d first met him, he rarely even smiled.
They entered through the gate to the Bird Sanctuary and walked along the same path they’d taken before. Conrad, though still not liking birds in any form, had made great strides in his willingness to participate in more frequent outdoor activities. And Amelia had told him that she would reciprocate. Whenever he was content to stay indoors, she would stay with him.
Small price to pay for marrying her true love.
Perhaps, if he sat next to her, she’d even find enjoyment in needlework.
Dappled sunlight through swaying tree branches caused Amelia to squint. Surely Conrad had issues as well, as he seemed especially sensitive to the sun’s brightness. Whereas some might be impatient with him for his reactions to things and his sensitivities, Amelia felt a fierce protectiveness, wanting him to be comfortable and content.
A light breeze lifted small wisps of hair nearest her face. The day was absolutely breathtaking. Blue skies. Twittering birds. The pungent scent of pine trees.
And the perfect man at her side.
As they continued on, passing several trees and benches, they neared the spot that Amelia had chosen for the reception. Voices could be heard. Also quacks and proop-proops of the ducks in the nearby pond. She glanced at Conrad to gage his reaction. Would he be alarmed? Anxious?
With his pleasant expression, he appeared calm. Content. Happy. All the things she wanted for him.
They crossed a grassy field and passed beneath a natural canopy of tree branches that opened onto a lush valley of wildflowers and chirping birds. Their guests came into view, standing as a small group. Conrad’s mother had her arms crossed over her chest. Amelia’s mother simply frowned. Oliver and Lucy stood side by side, and Amelia’s father gazed off into the distance.
Lucy hurried to them as they neared, the long grass swishing against the hem of her dress. “I’m so happy for you both.” She hugged Amelia and took Conrad’s hand briefly.
“Thank you, Lucy. That means quite a lot.” Conrad lifted his mouth in a smile.
Oliver joined them. He nodded to Amelia and reached out to shake Conrad’s hand. “I wish for you all the best.”
A slight pinkish hue traced up Conrad’s cheeks. Amelia tilted her head. She must ask Conrad someday about his history with those two. Something told her it would be quite the interesting tale.
“There you are!” Conrad’s mother, now the Dowager Duchess of Lofton, rushed to them. “We thought you’d gotten lost.”
Conrad raised an eyebrow. “Mother, really… We’re only a few minutes behind you.”
She placed gloved hands on rounded hips. “Conrad, could you not wait for… that… until after the reception?”
Amelia gasped.
“Mother.”
“Now see here.” Amelia’s mother stepped forward. “How dare you say that my daughter would do that?”
“She’ll be doing that soon enough. It’s quite common, you know.”
Amelia’s mother huffed out a loud breath. “Well! I never.”
“You must have at least once.” The Dowager Duchess pointed to Amelia.
“Mother, please!” Conrad stomped his boot, causing a cloud of dust to rise. He coughed, but before he could retrieve his handkerchief, Amelia reached into his coat pocket and handed it to him.
He turned to her and blinked. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She looked forward to all of her duties as his wife, even small ones. To her it took so little effort, but to Conrad, it seemed of the utmost importance.
Then it shall be important to me as well, from now on.
A small table had been set up beneath the shade of an enormous oak tree. Glasses of Madeira sat waiting.
Conrad tucked his handkerchief away and smiled at Amelia. “Ready to celebrate?”
“Always.” She giggled and covered her mouth.
“Amelia. Control yourself.” Mother’s frown was formidable enough to frighten away an entire flock of crows. Too bad such a flock was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps they would carry her off somewhere…
Be nice, Amelia. It’s your wedding day.
Conrad pulled her closer. “Please, don’t bother controlling yourself on my account.”
Amelia gasped, but sputtered another laugh.
From behind them, she recognized her mother’s tsk-tsk.
After today, I won’t be subjected to that any more. At least not every day.
A maid handed the wedding couple glasses, and then served the others. Amelia’s father hadn’t said much during the ceremony, and now looked… She squinted. Was he crying?
Mr. Talbot swiped moisture from his eyes. She’d like to believe it was because he would miss her, but she knew him well enough to know better. He was crying on his own behalf. With Amelia gone, there would be no one to intercede between him and her mother when Mrs. Talbot was in one of her tempers.
Which was often. Unfortunately.
Conrad raised his glass. “I know this is an unconventional venue for a reception, but it’s my wife’s favorite place on earth. Thank you for joining us to wish us well.”
The Dowager Duchess harrumphed and didn’t bother to lower her voice. “I cannot fathom why anyone would find this place enjoyable. It’s repulsive, disgusting—”
Conrad glared at her, his eyes narrowing to mere slits. “Please refrain from saying another word on the matter.”
“Well, I-I—”
“This is Amelia’s day and I intend to do everything in my power to make it special. For her.”
Amelia grabbed his hand and gave it a hearty squeeze. Was the warmth in her chest a sign that her heart was melting? How had she ended up married to the man of her dreams, when she’d set out only to avoid marrying an octogenarian with tentacles? “Thank you, Conrad.” She blinked her eyes against tears that threatened to fall.
“My pleasure.” He looked deep into her eyes. Could he see into her soul as well? Her legs unsteady, she grasped his hand even tighter for balance. Those piercing blue eyes would be her undoing every time. Of that she had no doubt. Especially tonight, once they were finally alone… A shiver ran through her, imagining his kisses, his touch…
Oliver raised his glass. “Here’s to two very special people. I’m delighted that you’ve found each other an
d wish for you a most happy life. May your love increase daily.”
“Thank you.” Amelia felt heat touch her cheeks. Were they red?
Conrad’s mother took a swig of her drink and plunked the glass on the table. “Well I for one have had about all I care to take of this particular celebration.”
Conrad turned and opened his mouth as if to speak, but wasn’t given the chance. Amelia’s mother frowned. “And I’ve had all I care to hear from the likes of you.”
“Well!” The Dowager Duchess darted out her hand and grabbed Amelia’s mother’s arm. She pinched her fingers together, causing the other woman to howl in pain.
A scuffle ensued, with hitting, kicking, and… spitting.
Amelia sucked in a breath, unable to believe the atrocious sight. A look at Conrad showed him to be doing the same. His mouth hung open.
The mothers scratched and fought like two cats tied together in a wet sack, screeching and yelling. They pushed and shoved, eventually ending up very close to the edge of the pond. Ducks flapped their wings and quacked, as if cheering them on.
And then…
Water shot into the air as someone fell into the pond. As soon as the gush of water collapsed, Amelia could see who still stood on the bank, drenched, and who had taken an impromptu swim.
She raised one eyebrow. “Oh dear. My mother just pushed your mother into the pond.”
Conrad rolled his eyes. “I suppose we should rescue her…” Although he took not a single step in that direction.
“Now your mother is cursing. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard that particular word used in that particular way.” Amelia winced. “Sounds uncomfortable.”
“Oh believe me. I’ve heard it before. My whole life.”
“The good news is, if she’s able to curse, then we know at least she’s not drowning.”
“True.” Instead of heading to the pond and the wet mothers, Conrad wrapped his arms around Amelia’s waist. He pulled her close as he leaned down and gently kissed her, his lips caressing hers. Soft, gentle, but insistent. A kiss that promised more, much more after the reception had ended. When they were alone and could do as they liked. Amelia cared not that others could see them.
The Unwanted Earl (The Love Bird Series) Page 21