by Ella Edon
Merseyside grinned.
“Because I like seeing you squirm. It’s not often that happens.” He spread his hands. “It’s a shame because Miss Colburn is a very pretty girl. I know of several men with minor titles who are vying for her attention, but she brushed them all aside.”
“If only her uncle would actually arrange a match for her,” Derby muttered. “Then she could leave me alone.”
“You do know everyone’s going to be talking if you don’t find a wife soon.”
“I’m a healthy man in my prime. I’ve got plenty of time to consider marriage.”
Merseyside shook his head.
“You know that doesn’t wash with Society. If a woman reaches twenty-five and isn’t married, she’s considered to be on the shelf and no longer marriage material. If a man reaches thirty and isn’t married, rumors start about him. And they’re not very pleasant, as you very well know.”
Derby did know. He had heard many rumors of fellow nobles who had not married until they were in their thirties or even in their forties. People had whispered if the nobleman in question found himself lacking in a certain area, or if he just wasn’t keen on women at all. Marriage was everything in Society, no matter what your sex was.
Derby didn’t care what people thought. If it wasn’t to his liking, he wouldn’t do it. He wasn’t going to get married to appease the masses.
“You do need to think about it, even if you don’t follow through right now.” Merseyside went on. “I mean, who’s going to be the next Earl of Derby?”
“I’ve already got that in place.” Derby gestured at his friend. “If I don’t produce an heir of my own, as my brother-in-law, it will be inherited by your second son.”
“My second son?”
“You’re married to my sister. That means you’re the next in line, in essence.”
“I know that. I was more concerned about you saying my second son.” Merseyside sat back with a grunt. “No pressure, then.”
Derby would have found this amusing, but his mood wouldn’t allow him to find some mirth in his brother-in-law’s discomfort. Not for the first time in the two weeks since they had last seen each other, he found himself thinking about Amy. Derby knew that Amy was now unavailable, and he shouldn’t even be thinking about her in any capacity. But his mind just wouldn’t let go, and it was haunting him.
He was such a fool. How had he not known? Amy would have told him, surely? Clearly, they weren’t on close terms anymore. Amy saw him merely as a convenience because of his contacts, nothing more.
Derby shouldn’t have fallen for that. He should have sent her back to her father and told him to sort it out. This was none of his business. But, of course, because it was Amy, he had to make it his business.
“Besides,” he grumbled, staring into the fire, “she’s engaged.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“There is a woman I desire to be my wife, but she’s engaged to someone else, and I’m not permitted near her.”
Merseyside was staring at him strangely. Then he frowned.
“I didn’t realize Miss Hartley was engaged. She tells Sarah everything, and Sarah would most certainly have said something about it.”
“Maybe she…” Derby caught himself and stared at him. “How did you know I was talking about Amy Hartley?”
“Who else? Sarah told me a while back that you’ve been in love with Amy Hartley for some time.” Merseyside smirked. “And from the way you’re blushing, I’d say she was right.”
Derby gritted his teeth and snarled. He shifted in his chair.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not in love with her.”
“Are you sure about that?”
No, he wasn’t. Derby had come to terms with his feelings towards Amy over the last two weeks. It had hit him in the face after Viscount Hartley had left. He was in love with Amy, and that made his motives entirely dishonorable. No matter what she said, Derby would do whatever she wanted.
And that was a bad thing. Derby wasn’t about to be shown up as a fool when the woman he loved was engaged to someone else. It was painful to think about Amy marrying another man, but it was already sorted. As far as he was aware, things were practically finalized. Nothing could change it.
But Merseyside was shaking his head.
“If Sarah didn’t know, then it can’t be true. You know that Sarah knows practically everything, even though we’ve been away for nearly a month.”
“Practically everything. Not absolutely everything,” Derby pointed out. “Amy’s engaged, and I’ve been warned to stay away.”
“Even though you’ve been asked by her to see who’s sending her those letters? Sarah told me about them,” Merseyside added as Derby sat up.
“Sarah’s been doing more than pillow-talk with you,” Derby muttered. “And even then. Hartley sent me a letter the morning after he confronted me, telling me that the letters weren’t any of my business, and Amy was simply getting flustered over something silly.”
Not that he had really got anywhere. His contacts were still looking, but they were turning up nothing. The letter-writer was very good at covering his tracks.
Maybe it was for the best that he didn’t look any further. Derby didn’t want to be under the thumb of his childhood friend, even if she had walked away with his heart. But that didn’t sit well with him at all.
Merseyside sighed and drew himself to his feet, stretching out his arms.
“Look, I’m due to meet Sarah in the park. Do you fancy joining us? Some fresh air would do you good.”
It probably wouldn’t, but Derby needed a distraction. His sister always made him feel better. He stood, rolling his shoulders.
“Possibly. I need to see the light before I wither away.”
* * *
“You’re very quiet.”
Amy looked up to find Sarah staring at her. A little ways behind them, hovering near the path, was Victoria. Her chaperone was shuffling from foot to foot, giving Amy a look of disapproval.
It was then Amy remembered where she was. Sarah had called around unexpectedly, declaring that she was going to take Amy out for a walk, pointing out Amy’s sudden paleness. Hartley had grumbled about it, but he conceded on the condition Beatrice’s maid went along to watch over Amy. Amy had been eager to get out of the house. She had been confined to the house, mostly her room, and she was desperate to get out.
Now she was in Regent’s Park on a gorgeous sunny day, and Amy wished she was back in her room. The feel of the sun on her face was nice, and the gentle breeze was refreshing, but Amy’s mood was still low. She couldn’t bring herself to enjoy the wander in the park with her closest friend.
Absently, she rubbed at her cheek as she gave Sarah a sheepish look. The scar had faded, and you could barely see it, but Amy was very much aware of it.
“Forgive me, Sarah. I’m not myself right now.”
“I’m not surprised.” Sarah snorted. “After being kept a prisoner for two weeks, you’re clearly not going to be yourself.”
Amy said nothing to that. She could see Victoria glaring at her, and she was in no mood to deal with the matronly woman’s attitude. Amy took Sarah’s arm.
“Let’s get back to the path. I think I’ve stared at the lake long enough.”
“I’ll say. I was beginning to think you were going to fall in.”
“I wouldn’t do that.” Amy stepped back onto the path, biting back a wince. Her knee had recovered, but she hadn’t walked this much since that night. It was starting to complain. “I prefer to wear dry clothes.”
Sarah laughed and squeezed her arm affectionately.
“There’s the girl I grew up with. I was beginning to wonder when you were going to come back.”
“It’s going to take a while before I’m back to how I was.”
“After what has happened to you, I’m not surprised.” Sarah glanced down at Amy’s legs. “How is your knee now?”
“It’s fine.” Amy lied, resisting t
he urge to limp along. “I can manage.”
“If you can’t, we can sit down.”
“I told you, I’m fine.”
Sarah sighed and tugged Amy towards a nearby bench.
“You are such a liar.” She accused, pushing Amy to sit. “You sit there and rest. We don’t have to go at a brisk pace all around the park.”
“But…”
“No, buts.” Sarah sat beside her, taking Amy’s hand. “You suffered a traumatic experience, and you’re still on the mend. I shouldn’t have asked for you to come out.”
Amy smiled and squeezed her friend’s fingers.
“I needed to get out of the house.” She made a face at Victoria, who was still hovering nearby. “Even if I have to be under guard.”
Victoria scowled back at her. Sarah laughed.
“Ignore her. She’s a silly old bat.”
“I’m not going to argue with that.”
Sarah sat back, and Amy noticed her rubbing her belly. Sarah’s face was a grimace.
“Are you well? Do we need to go back?”
“I’m fine. I’ve just got a bit of flu.” Sarah waved away Amy’s concerns. “I just need some fresh air, that’s all. Anyway,” She shifted to face Amy, “Has my brother found out anything about this person writing to you?”
Her brother. Derby. Amy felt the heat build in her belly at the mention of him. Then a chill came over her. She sighed and shook her head, looking down at the ground.
“I wouldn’t know. I haven’t heard from him in two weeks.”
Chapter Eight
“You what?” Sarah’s mouth fell open. “The pair of you have never gone that long without speaking in some way. It’s always been like that with you two.”
“I wouldn’t be that dramatic about it,” Amy protested.
“But you’re always in touch.” Sarah stared at her. “What’s happened to you two?”
“I would like to know.”
“You honestly don’t know?”
“No, I don’t.” Amy scuffed her slipper on the graveled path. “One minute, we’re talking, and he’s eager to help me with my problem, and the next, he’s completely cut contact. I’ve written to him to ask about progress, but he’s never replied.”
“Maybe your letters got intercepted,” Sarah suggested. “I’m sure your father’s monitoring your mail now.”
“I’m very careful. Clara takes them on her afternoons off and delivers them personally. She asks if there’s a reply, and she’s always told no.”
Amy was beginning to wonder what she had done to upset him. Derby wasn’t one to get easily offended, but she had to have done something to cause him to cut contact. But she had no idea what sin she had committed.
“Well, I saw him when I got back yesterday. We had dinner.” Sarah frowned. “He was a little...off, I would say. I asked him about it, but he changed the subject very quickly. In fact, whenever I asked about you and the situation, my brother discarded me and concentrated on my husband.”
Amy winced.
“That doesn’t sound good at all.”
“No, it doesn’t. Have you two had an argument since I’ve been away?”
“I have no idea.” Amy’s head was starting to hurt. She pressed her fingers to her temples. “I’ve been thinking it over in my head, and I can’t think of what I’ve done to upset him.”
Amy was coming to terms with the fact she had been abandoned, yet again. She should never have allowed her mother to influence her and go to Derby for help. This wasn’t something she should have gone to a man who wasn’t her father or husband about. People would certainly be whispering by now if word of Hartley confronting Derby had got around. Amy wanted to hide away in her room again. She didn’t want to face anyone anymore.
She had been abandoned before. Why did this one hurt the most?
“Oh, Amy.” Sarah sat up and put an arm around Amy’s shoulders, giving her a gentle hug. “We’ll get through this. We’ll find out what’s going on.”
Amy said nothing. There was nothing she could say. She jumped when Sarah suddenly stood up and waved.
“What is it?”
“My husband’s arrived.” Sarah flashed Amy a smile. “This might be a good time for you and my brother to discuss a few things. If your chaperone allows you to do so.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Amy looked around. Then she saw Derby and Merseyside coming along the path. Derby was using a cane, tapping it on the ground as he walked. He had a slightly heavier step than normal, and he was barely breaking a smile as Merseyside laughed as something. The Earl looked as handsome as ever, and the cut of his clothes fit his figure perfectly. The outfit looked new, barely worn in.
Amy’s heart sank. If she had known Derby was going to be here, she wouldn’t have come out at all. Suffering from lack of sunlight was preferable to being in Derby’s presence right now.
But Sarah was tugging her to her feet, pulling Amy along as she went to join her husband and brother. She smiled adoringly up at Merseyside, who greeted her with a warm smile and kissed her hand.
“You look like the walk has done you some good, my dear.”
Sarah laughed and swatted his shoulder.
“Such a flatterer, as always. Daniel.”
“Sarah.” Derby nodded at his sister. Then his eyes flickered over to Amy, and the look on his face turned to stone. “Miss Hartley.”
Amy felt her breath catch in her throat. She had never seen Derby look at her like this before, and it made her icy cold. Not for the first time, Amy wondered what her father might have said to him that night. That was the only thing she could think of that could have Derby so cold with her now. Whatever it was, it had worked. Derby was looking like he would rather be anywhere else but in her presence.
“Amy?”
Amy jumped. Sarah was looking at her expectantly, her arm slipped through her husband’s. Amy looked down at the ground, shuffling from foot to foot. Her bad knee was starting to hurt even more, and Amy had to bite her lip to stop herself from whimpering.
“I need to head home, Sarah,” she mumbled. “I’m not feeling too well.”
“Are you not?” Derby murmured. “I hope it’s nothing too bad.”
Amy flinched. He sounded so sharp, unfriendly. Somehow, she managed to look up at him and met his gaze squarely.
“A few pains that will mend in time, I’m sure,” she said stiffly. “Good day, my lord. Lord Merseyside.”
Barely remembering to curtsy before she walked away, Amy turned and hurried along the path. She pushed past Victoria, who spluttered in indignation but followed her. She would not break down now. She wouldn’t.
* * *
Another ball. This was the third ball in a week, and Amy was exhausted. For some reason, everyone had decided to host large events very close together as the end of the season drew to a close, and Hartley had taken it upon himself to bring Amy along to all of them.
Amy’s knee was still aching. Standing up for too long had made it even worse. Now she was walking around with a limp, something her father chastised her for. Amy tried to beg for time alone and not going out again, but Hartley wouldn’t listen. He kept pushing her to go and meet more people, refusing to let her sit down or take a break.
Amy knew what was going on. Hartley was desperate for a man with a title to wish to marry her. He wanted to get her off his hands. Amy was a pawn and was being thrown around as such. Several men had approached her and asked her to dance, and Amy had even had some of them come to call on her in the past two months. But whenever the suggestion of anything further came up, Amy began to panic and would run from the room.
Hartley was in despair over her reactions, but Amy didn’t care. The men Hartley and Beatrice chose were certainly undesirable. It was as if Hartley was attempting to find a man much like himself to keep her in line.
Amy didn’t want to marry any of them. And she couldn’t bring herself to forget about the one man who had her heart. Derby disliked h
er now, and he wouldn’t be seen in her presence alone. Even when they were at the same evening soirees, Derby stayed on the other side of the room. Amy wished that he would talk to her, give her some respite. He knew that she hated balls, and she hated being made a spectacle. If only he would help her again.
It was going to take a long time to mend her broken heart.
“For goodness sake, Amy!” Beatrice hissed, prodding her sharply in the side. “You need to get out there and talk!”