Amelia spent a pleasant half an hour in the nursery, playing with Lisa, who had been given several presents, including a pretty doll from her father. Lisa was delighted to have two dolls, especially as Amelia’s had curly hair.
‘She is like me,’ she said and put the doll up against her face. ‘Thank you, Mademoiselle Royston.’
‘You may call me Amelia. We are going to be friends, Lisa.’
‘Papa says you are to be my mama.’ Lisa’s eyes were large and apprehensive. ‘Will you live with us, Melia?’
‘Yes, I shall live with you and your papa,’ Amelia replied. ‘That is why I want us to be friends, dearest. As you grow up, it will be I who buys your dresses and teaches you to be a young lady. You will have a governess, but she will be kind and I shall make certain that your studies include games as well as the dull things.’
Lisa’s face lit up, then a shy expression came into her eyes. ‘Will you love me,
mademoiselle
?’
‘I already love you,’ Amelia said and took her into her arms, hugging and kissing her. ‘You are a delight to me, Lisa—and perhaps one day you may have brothers or sisters to play with you.’
‘I should like that but…Papa will not send me away when you are married?’
‘No, of course not. Why should you think that?’
‘Nanny told me it would happen if I did not do everything she told me.’
‘That lady has been dismissed. I shall choose another nurse to help look after you, and I assure you that she will be kind.’
‘I love you,’ Lisa said as she climbed on Amelia’s knee and put her arms about her neck. ‘Nanny hasn’t left yet, Melia. I saw her in the garden as I looked from my window. She was talking to someone—a man. I have seen her talk to him before, but she said that if I told Papa she would whip me.’
‘She was very wicked to threaten you like that.’
Amelia controlled her anger. ‘Your papa has dismissed her. If she has not already left this house, she will do so within a few hours. I dare say your papa thought it would be unfair to make her leave at Christmastide. However, she will not be allowed near you again.’ Amelia touched her hair. ‘You must always tell Papa or me these things, Lisa, if someone hurts or frightens you—or if you see someone who makes you feel uncomfortable.’
‘I will tell you. Papa might think I was telling tales—and gentlemen do not approve of such things.’
‘There are times when telling a grown-up the truth is important. If someone frightens you, Lisa—or threatens you—you must tell us. Please promise me you will?’
‘I promise.’ Lisa slid from her lap as some of the other children came running into the nursery school-room. They were all clutching new toys of some kind. ‘I must not keep you,
mademoiselle
. Nanny said that mothers only spend a few minutes with children; they are too busy to waste their time with us.’
Amelia smothered a sigh. Gerard had not dismissed that woman a moment too soon!
‘When we are all living together, you will spend a part of your day with your papa and me when he has the time. It is true that gentlemen have their business to keep them busy, but I assure you that I shall take you for walks and I think your papa might teach you to ride a pony.’
‘Ride a pony?’ Lisa’s face lit up. ‘Truly? Would Papa truly teach me to ride himself?’
‘I am sure that he will, as soon as he considers you are ready.’ Amelia kissed her cheek. ‘I must go now, my love, but I shall ask your papa if he will take us both for a little carriage ride after dinner.’
Amelia received an enthusiastic hug. She was smiling as she went downstairs. As she turned towards the large drawing room where she knew many of the other guests had gathered, she was unaware that she was being watched from the gallery above.
Turning away to return to the room she would have to leave in the morning, Lisa’s former nanny, Alice Horton, gave a spiteful smile. The Royston woman was riding for a fall. She had not hesitated to use her position and influence to have Alice dismissed from her position, but she would not see herself installed as the Earl of Ravenshead’s wife. There were plans afoot that would prevent their marriage. When
he
had first approached her, Alice had been reluctant to give him any informationa bout her employer or his daughter. However, she had no such scruples now.
He
had paid her well for the news that Lisa was to have a new mama very soon.Alice had enough money to see her through the next few months without having to apply for a new position—and if she did what
he
asked, she might never have to work again…
Amelia saw Gerard standing near the window in the large salon. He had been in conversation with Harry, but as soon as he noticed her, he said something to his friend and came to greet her.
‘Have you been to see Lisa? Toby told me that he saw you with Miss Barton on your way there.’
‘I took her my gift. I had bought her a doll. She received several dolls, but mine had curly hair like hers and that pleased her.’ Amelia lifted her hand to her own neat, dark locks. She had allowed her maid to dress it in a softer style and believed it suited her. ‘I have made Lisa a promise on your behalf, Gerard. She seemed to think that she must not expect us to visit her for more than half an hour in the mornings. I told her that when we were married I should take her for walks—and that you would teach her to ride a pony. I hope I have not spoken out of turn?’
‘Of course you have not,’ Gerard assured her instantly. ‘I had intended to buy the child a pony quite soon—and I shall certainly teach her to ride it myself. Since we shall be spending much of our lives in the country there will be plenty of time for such pleasures. You must feel free to do as you think best, Amelia. I am confident that your sure judgement will bring many benefits to both Lisa’s life and my own.’
‘I shall do my best to be the mother she lacks.’
‘You will be the best mother she could have—the only one she has known.’
‘I am glad you feel as I do,’ Amelia said. ‘I know that in many families the children are confined to the nursery until they are old enough to come out—but I do not approve of such rigid rules. Naturally, they must study and there are times when they might be a nuisance to guests, but when it is just the family I hope we shall often be together.’
He gave her a look of warm approval. ‘You are a constant delight to me. I knew you would be generous towards my daughter—but this is more than I could have expected.’
‘I love her. She is a delightful child, Gerard.’
A tiny pinprick of hurt entered her heart, because it was so obvious that he wanted and needed a mother for Lisa. Would any woman have done—or did he feel something stronger toward her?
‘Yes, she is.’ He smiled and took a small box from inside his coat. ‘This is my gift to you for today, Amelia. I shall be sending for the family jewels and you may make your choice of them—though I warn you that they will need to be refurbished for they are heavy and old-fashioned. This is something I thought might please you.’
Amelia unwrapped the box and took out the beautiful diamond brooch inside. It was shaped like a delicate bouquet of flowers and the heads trembled as she took it from its box.
‘This is beautiful,’ she said and pinned it to her gown. She reached into the pocket of her gown. ‘I have a small gift for you, Gerard—it is a mere trinket…’ In value, it was a similar gift to the one she had given Toby Sinclair, something she might have given to any member of her close friends and family. Not what she might have chosen had she known they would be engaged by Christmas Day.
He took the box and dispensed with the wrappings, revealing the silvergilt card case. ‘More than a trinket, Amelia. Thank you.’
Amelia shook her head, changing the subject. ‘Emily was saying that she would not walk alone, because of what happened last night. I too think it would be best to take care for the moment. I wondered if we might take Lisa for a little ride in your carriage after dinner?’
‘I see no reason why we should not go for a drive,’ Gerard said. ‘As for what happened last night, the matter is in hand. Any strangers seen on the estate will be stopped and questioned.’
Amelia recalled what Lisa had told her about the nanny speaking to a man in the gardens—a man the woman had spoken to before. However, she had no reason to suppose that the man could have anything to do with the incident outside the church. As unlikely as it seemed, Nanny probably had a follower.
Dismissing the nanny from her mind, she smiled as Susannah came up to them. She was wearing the pearl-and-diamond pendant that Amelia had given her as a Christmas gift and the next few minutes were taken up with her delight and her gratitude. By the time Amelia and Gerard spoke again, the nanny had been forgotten.
It was a pleasant morning. Amelia exchanged gifts with several friends, enjoying some music before nuncheon. After they had eaten, Gerard sent for his carriage. Lisa’s nurse brought her downstairs. She was wearing a pretty pink coat and hat and had a fur muff that her papa had given her. She was excited to
be going for a drive, chattering about the many gifts that she had received that morning.
‘I had four dolls altogether, Papa—was I not fortunate?’ she said as they went out to the carriage. ‘One was broken.’
Gerard’s attention was caught. ‘A broken doll—who gave you that, my love?’
‘I do not know, Papa. I asked Nurse Mary. She said there was no card.’
‘I shall have a look at the doll later,’ Gerard said. ‘It was a shame the doll was broken.’ His eyes met Amelia’s over Lisa’s head.
‘I did not mind,’ Lisa said. ‘I had so many pretty things. I did not expect so many presents. Nanny said it was obscene for one small child to have so many expensive clothes as I have. What does obscene mean, Papa?’
‘I think it means that I spoil you,’ Gerard said, but his mouth had pulled into a grim line.
Amelia touched his hand. He glanced at her but his expression remained grim.
‘I have been spoiled too,’ Amelia said and smiled at the child as she touched the brooch she was wearing. She had fastened it to the scarf Emily had given her, and she was wearing a new black velvet cloak she had purchased in London; it had a fur lining and was very warm.‘ I was given this lovely scarf and this brooch—do you see how it trembles as I move?’
‘Did Papa give it to you?’ Amelia nodded. ‘It is very beautiful—but you are
très ravissante
, Melia. Papa will be lucky when you marry him.’
‘We shall all be lucky to have each other,’ Amelia said. ‘Look, Lisa—can you see the deer over there? I think they have come closer to the house than usual. I know that Susannah has food put out for them when the weather is inclement.’
‘They are lovely…’ Lisa said, pressing her face to the carriage window. ‘Papa, do we have deer at Ravenshead?’
‘I believe not,’ he said. ‘We might have some brought into the park if you would like that, Lisa.’ His face had relaxed. He smiled as he met Amelia’s eyes. She nodded slightly, understanding his feelings. The broken doll was worrying, but might simply be a coincidence.
‘Oh, yes, please. I should love that, Papa—and could I please have a puppy…?’
‘Is there anything else, miss?’ he asked, brows rising indulgently.
‘Oh, no, Papa,’ Lisa said and put her hand into Amelia’s. ‘But Melia did say I should tell you anything I wanted.’
‘Did she, indeed?’ Gerard laughed. ‘I can see that I am to be petticoat-led now that I have two beautiful ladies in my life.’
Amelia was pleased that he had managed to put his worries to one side, and yet she sensed a shadow hanging over them.
She glanced out of the carriage window. A light dusting of snow clung to the trees and shrubs, but it was beginning to melt. A pale sun had brightened the day. Shadows might gather in the distance, but
for today Amelia would try to forget them and think only of pleasant things.
Lisa was singing a little French song when Amelia took her up to the nursery and handed her back to Mary. The little girl turned to her, hugging her as she took her leave.
‘Thank you for my lovely afternoon, Melia.’
‘You are very welcome, Lisa. It was a pleasure for me.’
Amelia smiled and left the child with her nurse. The future was looking so much brighter. Children were a blessing and already the ache she had carried deep inside her was easing. She was a mother to Gerard’s daughter and in time they would have others of their own.
She hastened to the apartments she shared with Emily, because the hour was late and she would have to hurry if she were to change and be ready in time for dinner. As she entered the little parlour, the sound of sobbing met her. The sight of Emily weeping desperately brought her to a halt.
She went to her at once. ‘Emily, dearest—what is wrong?’
‘Oh…Amelia…’ Emily lifted her head to look at her. ‘Forgive me. I did not mean you to see me like this…’ She wiped her hand across her face. ‘I should have gone to my bedchamber.’
‘Do not be foolish. You should not hide your tears from me, Emily. Can you not tell me what is wrong?’
‘I spoke to Mr Sinclair when we exchanged gifts,’
Emily said, her body shaken by a deep, hurtful sob. ‘He gave me a beautiful sapphire-and-diamond ring and I…told him that I could not marry him. He asked me why and I told him that I had given birth to a child…’ She bent her head, the tears falling once more.
‘Emily, my love.’ Amelia knelt down beside her and took her hand. ‘Did you explain that you were forced?’ Emily shook her head and Amelia gave her fingers a gentle squeeze ‘You should have made that plain. He did not understand the circumstances.’
‘He did not give me a chance,’ Emily said. She took a kerchief from her sleeve and wiped her face. ‘He looked so stunned, Amelia. It was as if I had thrown a jug of cold water over him. He drew back, shaking his head and looked…as if he could not bear the sight of me. I think he must hate me now.’
‘Emily! I am certain it was merely shock. He did not understand the circumstances. Mr Sinclair is a gentleman. I do not believe he would have done that to you deliberately.’
‘I begged him not to look at me that way. I pleaded for a chance to explain, but he said that he must have time—and then he walked away and left me. It is over. He has a disgust of me now.’