The Unwanted Earl (17 page)

Yet… something about him tugged at her heart. When he was near, she was compelled to drink in the sight of him, no matter the circumstances.

Conrad’s ice-blue eyes brought to mind cold winter days spent walking in the snow. Crisp air and dim sunshine. Sparrows twittering in the branches of nearby trees.

And cold winter evenings spent wrapped in his arms in front of the fire.

“
Amelia?”

She blinked, sorry to have her daydream vanish like fog clearing at daybreak. “Yes?”

“
I asked if you’d like to accompany me to Rotten Row. It’s a lovely day for a walk.”

“
Walk?”
Snow. Sun. Birds. Warm fire. His arms around me and—
 

“
Yes. Walk. I’m told many people do it on a regular basis.”

“
Certainly.” She stood and smoothed the folds of her skirt.
Get
control of yourself. Otherwise, he might think you daft.
 

Amelia summoned Annie to fetch her pelisse and to dress warmly herself as they were going out.

The maid mumbled and grumped.

At least I’ll be free of her when Conrad and I wed.

Conrad’s carriage was waiting. Right outside the front door. Amelia shook her head. Why would he allow his driver to do that? She and Annie were assisted into the carriage, followed by Conrad. He sat opposite them in the facing seat.

Amelia stared at Annie.
Too bad we require her to chaperone. If she weren’t present, I could slip over and sit next to my betrothed. Very, very closely.
 

What she required was a companion who was thoughtful and sweet, but would give them a modicum of privacy when needed. They were trying to get to know one another, after all.

The carriage hit a rut in the road and Amelia bounced on her seat. Her shoulder bumped into Annie’s. Her reward was a glare.

Well, I never!

She glared back until Conrad cleared his throat.

What he must think of me.

Determined to ignore Annie, Amelia focused on Conrad. His straight, upright posture. Flawless, spotless suit and cravat. Aquiline nose and long, lean build. He said he was skinny. Perhaps, but Amelia found his appearance quite to her liking.

The carriage stopped at the edge of Rotten Row. Several other carriages were nearby, with drivers waiting for their passengers to return.

As they stepped from the carriage, Amelia stumbled. Conrad grabbed her upper arms. She raised her gaze to his. A stray beam of sunlight sparkled on his light eyes.

“
Steady, there. I’ve got you.”

You certainly do
. “Thank you.”

She waited for him to release her, but he didn’t. Not right away. His fingers closed tighter about her arms, kneading her gently. A sigh came from her slightly parted lips.

The sound of a boot tapping came from their left. Annie heaved an exaggerated sigh until they parted, but not before Amelia narrowed her eyes at her bothersome maid.
Why must she be so annoying?
 

Conrad offered Amelia his arm and, followed by Annie, took a stroll along Rotten Row. Wisps of conversation floated around them as they passed others out for a walk. Men discussed business or estate matters. Women compared hats and raved about others’ choices of dress color.

A large group went by on horseback. Conrad cringed.

“
Do you ride, Lord Lofton?”

His grimace stayed for several seconds as he watched the animals trot away. He looked at her. “Pardon?”

“
Ride. Do you ride?”

“
Me? Ride? Heavens no.” Was that perspiration forming on his upper lip?

“
Why ever not? It’s quite fun and even exhilarating if you have a spirited horse.”

“
Mother would never allow it.”

“
I
see
.”

“
What do you see?”

“
Mother
seems to have much influence over you, doesn’t she?”

He shrugged. “Yes, I suppose she does. Perhaps that’s what comes of not being close to your… father.”

Amelia knew, of course that he could have been speaking of Lord Lofton, or the mystery man who was Conrad’s real father. And though because of the blackmailing he knew she was aware of his circumstances, she could not discuss it with him where they were at the moment. Didn’t wish to discuss it at all, truth be known, because it was a sad reminder of the only reason he was with her now.

Time to change the subject
. “If I may ask a question, my lord?”

“
Yes, go ahead.”

“
I’ve wondered… that is, perhaps you could tell me why you allow your driver such liberties with the carriage?”

“
I don’t know what you mean.”

She leaned closer and whispered, “He parks too close to the house. Any closer and he’d be on top of the shrubbery.”

Twin spots of red appeared on Conrad’s cheeks. “That would be by my instruction, I’m afraid.”

“
It would? But why?”

“
Mother hates dirty boots because they create dirty floors. She’s always had the carriage parked thus to keep the dirt tracked in to a minimum, so I grew up doing the same.”

“
I see.”
Mother
again. Something would need to be done about
that
. “But we’re walking at this very moment. Out-of-doors.” She flicked a glance to his boots and back up.

“
True, that. Let’s not tell my mother, then.” One corner of his mouth lifted in a smile. A tiny bit of rebellion?

“
You have my word.”

They passed by a gleaming shop window and Amelia admired their reflection. Both tall and slim, they made a striking couple.

“
May I ask a question of my own?” Conrad adjusted his arm beneath her hand, the fabric of her glove swishing along his sleeve.

“
Certainly.”

He whispered so low she had to strain to hear. “Why do you continue to use Annie as a chaperone? It seems you two can barely stand to breathe the same air. I’ve been wondering if you’d come to
blows
.
”

A quick backward glance showed Annie frowning. Again. She whispered, as well. “Yes, that’s true.
My
mother wants me to use her on my outings. You see, many of our servants are older and have not the wherewithal to tolerate much physical activity. She is the youngest of them, so that is who I’m forced to take.”

“
That’s a shame. It seems your outings would be much more enjoyable had you someone with whom you enjoyed their company.”

“
Yes, I’ve thought as much. But where to find such a person, I haven’t a clue. I’m afraid I’m not one for having many friends and the few I do have aren’t of the intimate variety.”

He stared at her with wide eyes. “I find that difficult to believe. You are intelligent, funny and beautiful. Surely you’d be surrounded with people clamoring to make your acquaintance.”

“
Did you say beautiful?”

A pinkish hue started at the top of his cravat and travelled up to his forehead. “Well, I…”

She squeezed his arm. “Thank you. Although what I said was true, unfortunately. My strong personality seems to drive friends away. They scurry to the nearest corner to escape my company.”

The color gradually faded from his face. “Then we have that in common. I too, have not friends in whom I can confide.”

“
And I find that difficult to believe. For I very much like spending time with you.”

“
You do?”

“
I do.”

He peered down at her for a second too long, nearly crashing into a group of young women who were exiting a nearby shop. “Pardon me, ladies. Forgive my clumsiness.”

All but one of the women, a pretty blonde, turned and walked away. She, though, stopped. And smiled. “Aren’t you Lord Lofton?”

“
That’s correct.”

She stepped closer, her gaze traveling down his arm to Amelia’s hand resting on his sleeve. “It’s pleasant to meet you.”

“
It is?”

“
Oh yes. I’m Miss Cavendash. Of the
Mayfair
Cavendashes.”

“
I… see.”

Amelia lowered her eyebrows. What was the other woman up to? Was she
interested
in Conrad? “Hello, Miss Cavendash, I’m—”

Miss Cavendash ignored Amelia and fluttered her eyelashes at Conrad. “I don’t suppose you’ll be attending next week’s ball at Almacks?” A somewhat breathless quality attached itself to the young woman’s words. Trying to gain his attention?

“
I…” He glanced at Amelia. “I had given it some thought.”

“
Splendid. I’ll look forward to seeing you there. Perhaps we’ll have a chance to speak some more.” Just as she turned to leave, the gaggle of friends who had left returned.

Suddenly, the swarm buzzed around Conrad. They asked him questions. Touched his sleeve. Smiled and tittered at everything he said, whether it was amusing or not. Amelia was not so gently removed from her place at Conrad’s side by one of the other women.

What in the world just happened?

Snickering from behind caused her to turn. Annie. Of course. Amelia clenched her teeth. “And just what is so amusing, may I ask?”

“
Oh…” More giggling. “Nothing. Nothing at all.”

Amelia muttered, “I’ll thank you to stuff your giggling—”

“
Amelia? Ready to continue our walk?”

She whipped around to Conrad, ready to do battle with the interlopers. But the swarm was gone. She’d never seen the like. It was as if they were starving and Conrad was a delicacy they only glimpsed once a year.

Goodness.

He offered his arm, which she once again accepted. Darting her gaze left to right, Amelia poised for a fight, prepared to kick any other woman who pawed at Conrad. He was her betrothed, after all.

Too bad you had to use blackmail to accomplish that feat
.

At present, no other wily females seemed to be ready to pounce. She glanced at Conrad. He was smiling. Why? Because of those women? Had he approved of their behavior? She pressed closer against his arm. “Had you ever… made the acquaintance of any of those young ladies before?”

He cleared his throat. “Uh… no. I…”

“
Yes? What was that?”

“
It’s a conundrum.”

“
I’m sorry. I don’t follow.” Her fingers curled into a fist. Those
wanton
women.

His shrug caused the fabric of his coat to bunch at the shoulders. “I’ve never been the focus of… women before.” Was he now in their sights because he had been in Amelia’s company? Forbidden fruit, the ultimate enticement.

Amelia fumed. How dare they? Cooing to him and touching him. Her irritation cooled, however, when she remembered trying to seduce him
herself
so very recently. Wearing a tight, low-cut gown and pressing her lips to his.
But I had a strong reason for doing so. I don’t want to marry Lord Griffith!
She shuddered
.
 

“
Pardon?”

Did I say it out loud? “
Hmmm?”

“
You said something about Lord Griffith.”

“
Did I?”

“
Yes, but I didn’t quite catch what. Speaking of, you’d said earlier that I’d saved you from your visit with him. Care to elaborate for the man who took you from such unspeakable
horror?
”

Amelia bit her lip against a smile. “Let’s just say I will be forever in your debt.”

“
Sounds like something I can perhaps use to my advantage later.”

Her gaze flew to his. Was he flirting with her?

He turned his head away and then grinned. Amelia, curious, followed his gaze. A pretty girl dressed as a commoner walked toward them on the arm of… Amelia squinted. Was that the surgeon-dentist? How odd they should see him when they’d told Lord Griffith that would be their destination.

When they neared the others, Conrad slowed. What was he doing? Yes, he’d been to see the man in an official capacity, but surely in public he wouldn’t speak to—

Conrad stopped in front of them. Amelia wasn’t sure what to do. Others crowded past them, and she was aware of more than a few stares from her contemporaries.

“
Mr. Fletcher, Miss Fletcher, how pleasant to see you.”

What is Conrad about?

The girl curtseyed and the man nodded. “Good day to you, Lord Lofton.”

Amelia knew it was expected of her to request an introduction, though she had no desire. She tapped Conrad’s arm. “Would you be so kind as to introduce your… acquaintances, Lord Lofton?”

His eyes crinkled at the corners, as if inordinately pleased. “It would be my pleasure. Miss Talbot, may I present Mr. Fletcher and Miss Fletcher?”

Amelia gave a single nod. “Charmed.” The falsehood slid easily from her lips.

The girl curtseyed again. Mr. Fletcher nodded and smiled.

The following few minutes of discussing the weather with the Fletchers nearly did Amelia in. What would people think?

Annie stood in
Amelia’s doorway. Frowning. But what was new?

“
Yes? How may I be of
service
to you, Annie?” Amelia had quite enough of Annie’s attitude and derision. If the other servants weren’t so decrepit, she’d take one of them as a chaperone instead. At least they were pleasant.

Although, she might have to carry them on her back to get them from the house to the carriage.
No, that wouldn’t work.
 

“
Lord Lofton is here to see you. I passed Gordon on the stairs as he was on his way to tell you.”

In spite of Annie’s sour disposition, Amelia smiled. Conrad had said he’d had an errand to run today, so she hadn’t been assured of seeing him. Now her day would be brighter since he was there. “Thank you, Annie.”