Page 41 of His Abandoned Duchess

“That you are envious of the attention the Viscount paid toward me, perhaps?”

At that, Amelia did turn around, and she found her husband as shocked as ever when she did. His mouth hung open slightly, and he physically reeled backward.

“You cannot be serious. I am notjealousof the Viscount. What on earth would I be envious of? Hmm? You are my wife, and I was the one who had put forth the agreement that it would remain on paper only.”

A spear penetrated Amelia’s heart, invisible though it may have been. She stepped back, her spine colliding with those of the books behind her. Richard had not mentioned their original agreement in some time. And even after the dining room, Amelia had held onto a secret hope that this evening’s tension had all been a misunderstanding.

She did not feel that way now.

It was clear that her husband…that theDukedid not view her as anything more than a facet of his duty. She was not on the same footing as him, and he did not feel so inclined as to improve the standing of their relationship.

Amelia had been wrong about him—so very wrong.

“I see.” Her voice was low and quiet, for Amelia could not manage anything else. “I do believe it is quite impossible for me to deliver a reason for any perceived jealousy. It is clear that you do indeed have no call to be envious of the Viscount or anyone else for that matter. I was mistaken. It is most assuredly a fault on my behalf, being a foolish woman as I am.”

Clearing her throat as gently as she could, Amelia fought against the burning in her eyes, refusing to blink for fear that it would cause the tears to finally slip free. Offering a slow curtsey, Amelia did not look at the man across the room from her.

“If you’ll excuse me, Your Grace.”

Without another word and without allowing her eyes to find his, Amelia straightened and fled from the room as fast as she could.

Chapter Eighteen

The morning had come earlier than Amelia wanted, and she had yet to find solace in sleep or time. Her anger still gnawed at her, and she would not spend the day trapped in the estate with her unfortunate husband. Instead, Amelia proposed an outing to the local shops with Charlotte, and her friend was delighted to join her.

Several of the businesses they usually frequented had yet to open, but the pair were able to find their way into a lovely hat and accessory shop. Amelia walked through the heavily perfumed space, idly browsing the bonnets and chip straw hats decorated with silk ribbon. There were even a few bindings for a chiffonet on display, though little about the items held her attention.

“Amelia,” Charlotte breathed, looping her arm through the Duchess’s, “you’ve been nearly silent the entire morning. I can plainly see your sour mood from across the room. What bothers you?”

“It is nothing, Charlotte. I am sure I will be well come supper. It is likely just an imbalance of sorts.”

Charlotte cocked a brow at her, not believing Amelia’s lie in the slightest. Amelia let out a heavy sigh, pulling Charlotte along toward the rear of the shop, where a small settee was set up.

“It should come of little surprise to you that the Duke has found a way to incur my ire yet again.”

Rolling her lips so that she would not laugh, Charlotte shook her head, offering Amelia a sympathetic hand to hold.

“What had the Duke done now?”

“It is only that…I had thought we’d come to an agreement. Richard seemed as if he understood my desires, the reason why my freedom is so coveted and fought for. But the moment we visited his friend, Frederick, for a dinner party, he acted as if I am a simpleton and cannot recall how to properly compose myself. You heard him at dinner as well. He was downright rude to the Viscount. And I know it comes from a place of envy, but the Duke wouldnotadmit as much.”

Furrowing her brow, Charlotte regarded the Duchess, and Amelia felt pinned beneath her friend's stare. After a moment, the woman adjusted in her seat, taking Amelia’s hand more completely.

“Amelia, I ask this because I care for you dearly, so please answer in earnest. What incident occurred to make you think the Duke was on your side?”

Sucking in a deep breath, Amelia recounted the evening and following morning with Richard after she had been foxed most profoundly by Selina’s awful drink preparations. Charlotte listened aptly, taking in each word that the Duchess uttered without giving away her thoughts through her expression.

“I see,” Charlotte at last offered. “I have a notion as to what might truly lay behind your vexation. It seems to me that you had wanted the Duke to be on your side that the idea of him there at your side filled you with gladness.”

Amelia swallowed. It did bring her a measure of joy to imagine the Duke and her no longer at odds. Though, she was unsure why that mattered to the situation at hand.

“Charlotte, I don’t see what that has to do with his most recent offense. Of course, I was happy for an ally as opposed to an enemy.”

She shook her head. “I believe it is more than that, Amelia. You…carefor the Duke. It is evident in everything you say and do. I believe you are completely enamored of your husband.”

Amelia leaned back, the shock forcing her to the back of her chair. She did not think of the Duke that way. Yes, they hadtangledtogether, but she was not so naïve to believe thattheir physical encounters meant anything in relation to their emotional attachment to one another.

“Charlotte, I…that is most impossible.”

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