Page 40 of His Abandoned Duchess

“I do not believe so, though it appears my husband would like to make one out of the Viscount. Should he continue at this rate, I shall hear barking irons come dawn.”

Tension crackled along her spine, and it took everything in Amelia to keep herself from gulping down the rest of her drink.

“It is why you must be sure to encourage your husband’s return, Amelia.” Isaac stepped in front of her, lowering his stare into herface. “He is not suitable for your lifestyle here, and you deserve so much more than the Duke’s chastising.”

Amelia’s shoulders relaxed marginally at Isaac’s words. He was a dear friend, and though he did not fully understand the situation at hand, it was a comfort to know that he cared.

“Thank you, Isaac.” Amelia set down her glass on the thin ledge atop the fireplace. “I believe I just need some fresh air. I am going to take in a less crowded space for a few minutes.”

“I am happy to go with you.” Isaac smiled, offering her his arm.

She smiled, taking it gladly. The two of them addressed their friends, promising to return shortly, and then the Earl escorted Amelia out of the drawing room and down the hall. There was far less conversation here, and the quiet eased Amelia’s mood even further.

“Thank you, Isaac. It is much better away from the chaos of the party. The cooler air is especially pleasant at present.”

“Of course, Amelia. I am at your service as always.” He smiled gently, carefully walking with her arm tucked under his. “I only wish to see you happy.”

She grinned, stopping and turning toward him. “As true a friend as ever.”

Isaac regarded her, his eyes roaming her face, and for a moment, Amelia was unsure if the Earl was quite all right.

“Amelia, I have come seeking you. May I have a word with you in private.”

Startled, she faced her husband, who’d come from the dining room, and narrowed her eyes. She had half a mind to decline his request, but Amelia knew better than to cause such a stir at his friend’s dinner party. And she had promised to be on her best behavior.

“Of course, Your Grace.” Amelia addressed Isaac. “If you’re excuse me, Lord Ellingham. I must have a word with my husband.”

He nodded, but as Amelia moved to slip her arm free of his hold, Isaac tensed. The look on his face was strained, and she could just make out the underpinnings of rage bubbling beneath the surface. Laying her hand on his arm, Amelia lowered her voice to whisper at Isaac.

“It is all right. I am more than capable of handling myself alone with him. You needn’t worry.”

Still, Isaac remained frozen, but after Amelia cleared her throat, he seemed to shake himself from his mind and released her arm. His countenance held his confused guilt, and Isaac bowed to Amelia as she joined Richard at the other side of the hall.

“After you.” Richard gestured to the empty library behind him, and Amelia followed the Duke into the private space so that they might speak candidly. With one last look over her shoulder, Amelia watched Isaac bow his head and then return to the drawing room with the others.

The sound of the door shutting behind her was too loud in the silent library, and Amelia was acutely aware of the pulse in her neck. Richard still had yet to speak, and when the moments dragged on, she turned to face him, raising her brows to encourage him to speak.

Silence.

Amelia scoffed. “Have you brought me into the library to peruse the books then? Or is there something that you would like to discuss?”

Richard glared, his jaw clenching. “There is no reason to be cross with me, Amelia. I had wished to ensure that you were not roaming the hallways with Lord Ellingham. There are people to speak to in the dining room with Frederick. I wished to join him again once your friend had found himself back in the drawing room.”

Rolling her eyes hard enough that she might have seen the inside of her skull, Amelia let out a rough laugh, mirthless and irritated.

“You must seek to control every aspect of who I speak to, is that it? And would you like to explain why you sent the Viscountaway when we were merely talking to one another at the dinner table?”

“I had only directed the Viscount to the stain on his?—”

“Do not pretend that that was your true motivation,” Amelia cut in, stepping up toward Richard with her chin held high. “I was doing as you asked. I was ‘behaving’ at the utmost of my ability to be cordial and respectful. Your actions at the table have sabotaged any effort I made to present myself in the best possible light.”

“I was doing no such thing.” Richard pressed forward in a similar manner, and the tightness of the well-stocked library weighed down on Amelia. “I did not appreciate the attention that the Viscount was paying to you. Everyone knows of his reputation, and I simply sought to protect you from him.”

Confusion and frustration rushed to the surface. She spun away from her husband, pacing toward the rows of shelves installed in the far wall. The room smelled distinctly like a place filled to the brim with antique texts and aging paper. Leather and the somewhat vanilla-like scent of the books attempted to comfort Amelia, but it was no use.

“Protection. Of course.” She spoke to the tomes, unwilling to turn around. “We were at a meal, sitting down with a room full of people. I was in no danger. Is there a more honest answer you wish to give me?”

The wood floor creaked behind her as Richard likely adjusted his position. “Such as?”

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