Page 18 of His Abandoned Duchess

“Jane,” she turned to her long-time maid with an exhausted expression, “would you please take off my chatelaine and set the thing aside. I cannot stand another minute of hearing it jingle.”

“Of course, Your Grace.” She smiled gently, her fingers working the fastenings of the chatelaine free. “But you are in such a state. Are you sure there isn’t more that I could fetch for you? I am happy to bring biscuits or cakes to your chamber.”

Amelia smiled, blinking slowly as the ring of noisy writing implements, seals, and a tiny watch was taken off her waist and placed near her wash basin.

“That’s quite all right, Jane. I am merely overstressed. I am sure this tea and a bit of time away fromcertainindividuals will improve my countenance.” She cocked her head for a moment. “I only wish there were something more that I could do to hasten the Duke’s departure. I cannot be expected to put up with this much longer.”

Jane was quiet as she walked back over near Amelia’s bed, her eyes tracked down on the floor. It was not typical for the woman who’d been with Amelia for nigh on a decade. As she continued to remain speechless, her fingers fidgeting with each loose thread and edge of her apron, Amelia became quite sure that Jane was keeping something from her.

“Jane,” she dragged out, “is there something you wish to tell me?”

It took the woman a good ten seconds before her eyes finally lifted from the wood floor and to Amelia. They were wide with concern but also a hint of pride that Amelia recognized, like when Jane was happy with the work she’d done around the estate.

“Only that you needn’t worry, Your Grace. The matter with your husband is sure to resolve itself with haste.”

Amelia sat up straighter, suspicion and worry crowding her nerves. She was quite past her tolerance for those around her carrying on plans in her name without discussing the matter with her.

“What did you do, Jane? Out with it.”

With eyes that much wider, her brows shooting up to her hairline, Jane shook her head, the words tumbling from her lips.

“I meant no offense, Your Grace. I only…I saw what happened downstairs. I’ve also heard the talk you’ve had with your familiars that perhaps His Grace might leave should he notenjoyhis stay here.”

Nervousness clung to Amelia, and she stood up off the bed, going to Jane and taking her gently by the elbow.

“Jane, you need to tell me what you’ve done.”

Looking more petite than she ever had, Jane’s brow furrowed as she spoke. “Only made a ‘mistake’ with your husband’s clothes during the washing. He might find some of his items…less usable now.”

Shock reverberated through Amelia, and her mouth fell open. Words of reprimand—though gentle they may have been—were perched on her tongue, but before Amelia could speak, Richard barged into the room, sending her door crashing into the wall.

“What have you done!”

Richard’s furious cry echoed off Amelia’s walls, and her stomach immediately dropped into her feet as her pulse ramped up into a frenzy.

“Do you dare explain how this happened?” He rushed forward, the open halves of his shirt swinging wildly.

It lacked any buttons to keep it secure, she realized, and on top of that offense, the fabric had been stained an abhorrent, patchy shade of brown that was so heavily tinged with yellow that it looked quite similar to an infant’s nappy that had been recently…used.

Oh, Jane. You goosecap. He’s likely to bring out the barking irons.

“Your Grace,” Amelia started, “my husband, I can assure you that it was a mis?—”

“I will not hear you continue to spout faradiddles when you know quite well that it is surely impossible for all the buttons to have come free of my shirt at once.”

Amelia bit her tongue. Richard wasn’t mistaken. It seemed exceptionally unlikely that the buttons would remove themselves all simultaneously while the fabric itself was stained such a terrible color. And, of course, she knew that it was not a mistake. Jane had stepped in it thoroughly, and her actions were dragging Amelia down along with her.

“You did this, didn’t you? You were still cross about what happened earlier, and this was your means of retribution against me.”

Hurt crowded in alongside logic in Amelia’s brain. She was irritated yet again that Richard seemed to only think the worst of her. Still, Amelia wasn’t about to let Jane take the punishment for this. Amelia could withstand being yelled at and chastised by her unfortunate husband. Jane could not withstand a firing. She would not survive.

“Jane, please excuse me. I am required by my husband.” Amelia walked up to her, putting a hand under her maid’s elbow and walking her to the door as she whispered, “We shall discuss this matter later. Please see to it that there are no moresurprisesfor the Duke.”

The maid only nodded and then scurried out of the room as quickly as her aging legs could carry her.

Sucking in a lungful of air through her nose, Amelia began to face Richard once more. “Now, about this unfortunate?—”

But as soon as she was facing him properly again, taking in the disastrous look of the man in that ruined shirt, Amelia could do nothing to stop the laughter from bursting through her lips.

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