Page 73 of His Abandoned Duchess

Ethel and Magnus were quickly sparing once more when Frederick stepped away, and Selina was carrying on a lively conversation with Sophia, officially Hugh’s betrothed now that Richard had given his blessing.

“And what are you smirking at, dearest? Has there been another near-duel between the Lady and my oldest friend?”

Richard was at Amelia’s side in an instant, his arm snaking around her waist and warming her down to the marrow.

“Hmm, of sorts.” She turned to him, chuckling slightly. “I recognize that face she’s making from the mirror. I think the Lady protests her dislike of Lord Emerton a bit too ardently.”

The Duke’s brows rose, and he stared down at her with an amused expression draped over his handsome features. “Truly? I will admit that it is a surprise. She did not seem to take him all that much at all at that first dinner.”

“She was a bit distracted at the time, knowing that her friend was a bit unhappy.”

Richard made a face.

“Well, I was. And you yourself were not altogether pleased, considering you decided to practically throw the Viscount out of the home.”

He narrowed his eyes, then ducked his chin back as the guilt for his past actions visibly caused a wave of embarrassment.

“That was…I apologize.Again.” He took Amelia’s cheek in his hand, smoothing his thumb over it. “Though, you will be happyto hear that the man is recovering after Isaac’s attack. It is a slow progression but an upward one.”

Amelia’s stomach clenched, and she nodded. “Oh, that is good to hear. But let us not mention the Earl tonight. I wish to indulge in a rare evening of no worries and pure optimism. We’re going to visit your brother’s home after all, and I want a joyful send-off.”

“Of course, dearest.” Richard smiled, kissing her gently. “I am of a mind for that as well.”

As Amelia hung in the ecstasy of that moment, footsteps sounded behind her at the door to the drawing room. When she turned, Jane and the other housemaids entered with a polite head bow and smiled across the room at all those gathered.

“Dinner is served, ladies and gentlemen. If you would, please make your way to the dining room, and we will begin with the first course.”

“Oh, I thought I might perish if I had to wait a moment longer,” Selina exaggerated.

Amelia and Charlotte just laughed, but Ethel was sure to point out the unlikely chance of that happening.

“A human can sustain themselves without food for approximately a week, Your Grace. So I am afraid we would all have only been forced to listen to your complaints should the chef have required more time.”

Barking out a laugh, Amelia walked with Richard toward the door, holding out her hand toward Selina.

“Come now, Selina. There will be food a plenty. The chef has decided to prepare a grand meal for our last in the house before we travel to the country to visit Hugh’s estate.”

Shaking off Ethel’s perfectly executed cut, Selina smiled at Amelia as the group left together for the dining room.

“I am so glad that you have both decided to finally take your honeymoon away from the city for a time. It has been long overdue.”

Amelia grinned, looking back at Richard as she pressed forward with Selina—arm in arm—as they strode down the hall. “It would have been a very different situation if I had enjoyed the Duke’s company all those years ago. Tolerating him is a very novel concept for me.”

Smirking, the Duchess stole a glance over her shoulder. Richard just smirked back at her, his eyes holding that dark promise of a lengthy “conversation” when the evening concluded and permitted them to return to their chambers for the night.

Selina laughed along with Amelia, and they soon joined the rest of the large party at the dinner table. The spread before them, even for this first course, was plentiful and undoubtedly mouth-watering. There were various soups for them all to try—both hot and cold. Magnus and Richard helped to serve those around them at their ends of the table.

It felt homey and wonderful to be enjoying such a meal together. Amelia’s heart was lighter than it had been before this fantastic change of events between her and Richard.

Frederick was seated across from Charlotte who sat to Amelia’s right, with Selina seated across from the Duchess. It made for an interesting arrangement that Amelia only wished she’d done on purpose. Charlotte couldn’t stop squinting at the Earl, and Amelia had to hide her grin behind several sips of wine and spoonfuls of soup.

“Is everyone quite satisfied with their helping of soup?”

Amelia received a chorus of yeses and then gestured to her serving staff that they were all ready for the next course. The table was quickly reset by them in a flurry of movement that created a dance of sorts. Her friends smiled at the presentation, and Amelia swelled with a certain pride for the dinner experience she’d helped to put on with her wonderful staff.

The second course was presented then, which showcased an assortment of mutton, beef, and poultry, which she had gone with the Mrs. to procure from the market just yesterday.

Vegetables and savory dishes dressed the only remaining open spaces on the table, and Richard took up the carving knife to slice off bits of the meats for himself and then to the guests. The staff carried the full plates to everyone, who gleefully dug right in. Conversations easily flowed, and the food was incredible.

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