Page 74 of His Abandoned Duchess

“This is delicious, Amelia. Your chef has outdone himself. And you picked such fine cuts,” Frederick complimented.

“Oh,” Charlotte added, “quite so. I should say that it is the finest meal I have ever eaten. Even including that singular dinner we enjoyed with the Earl.”

Amelia eyed her friend, silently saying, “Charlotte, manners,” with the raise of her brows.

“It truly has outshined even that. You must tell me where you have gone to get such fine stock. I will tell my staff as soon as I return home.”

Frederick took the snide comment in stride, and Amelia was gracious for it. Nodding her head, she gestured toward the back door where the servants had come and gone from. It led to the kitchen.

“I shall tell Chef Aubert that his skills are appreciated. Truly, he is a wonder in the kitchen, and he brings so many marvelous things with him from France.”

“Ahh, so that is how he has obtained such refined skills. A Frenchman. I will have to look for my own.”

The table laughed, but Amelia could see Charlotte taking her aim for another cut against Frederick.

“Can you so easily put your current chef out of work?” She kept her tone level, but Amelia had hardly ever seen her so set on taking someone down. It was a strange sight, to be sure, and again, one that Amelia had a hunch about.

“Oh, do not fret, Lady Charlotte. I adore my current cook, but she is getting on in years, and she has asked that I might find her a suitable replacement. I do not know how she would feel about a Frenchman, but she has more than earned herself a life of rest now.”

It was so effortless the way that Frederick came back at her, and Amelia watched the two stare each other down. There was certainly something going on there, and she would keep an eye on it to see how the tension developed between them.

Dinner progressed on, the next course being delivered with several sweet and savory dishes. There was an array of cheeses, pickles, jellies, and even a number of salads, which the group ate heartily. There was hardly a scrap left after the rather large group for a close-knit dinner was finished with it.

The tablecloth was changed for dessert, and those assembled took a moment to stretch their legs while the table was changed over, and a veritable cornucopia of delicacies was spread out over the fresh cloth, from tarts and cakes to more soft cheeses with nuts and fruit. There were even custards, more fruits, including a pineapple that Amelia had rented for the evening, and a block of carved flavored ice in the shape of a swan.

“Exquisite, Amelia!” Selina exclaimed. “And my favorite animal, too.”

“It’s lovely,” Ethel added, “though, perhaps next time you could request a bear! I would love to see one growling over the desserts.”

Amelia chuckled lightly, nodding down the table at Ethel, who sat near Hugh and his wife, Sophia. “Of course, you would. You are quite the one for a bit of dramatic flair. I shall see if that is in the capability of the ice carver.”

Ethal blushed only slightly, her eyes swiveling to Magnus, whose stare was narrowed on her, and then down to the table. “Thank you, Your Grace. You are too kind.”

Amelia waved that off. “I am happy to give all my guests—my friends—something to enjoy at the dinner table. You needn’t worry over it, Ethel. Also, you were meant to tell me of the recent tome you acquired from the university on loan.”

She perked up immediately, delving into the topic of her latest read. Amelia felt a gentle squeeze on her hand from Richard, who sat at the head of the table on her left. It was a kind acknowledgment of how she worked to help Ethel feel less uneasy about her unique appreciations and enjoyments.

The remainder of the dinner proceeded comfortably, and they all adjourned to the drawing room afterward to enjoy a bit of conversation before the guest needed to leave. Amelia and Richard had an early morning of travel ahead of them, alongwith Hugh and Sophia, and she was excited to meet more of the people in her brother-in-law’s life.

As the evening closed, Richard walked with Amelia up the stairs to their shared chamber. The floorboards creaked softly, a reassuring sound that Amelia was so very familiar with. It was still a surprise to be hearing them dip beneath the weight of two sets of feet, and Amelia was feeling incredibly grateful.

When they reached the door, Richard opened it wide before scooping Amelia into his arms. She smiled happily up at him, giggling.

“What are you doing?”

“I am carrying my bride over the threshold. I was not of the mind to do it before, so as this is the night before our honeymoon, I shall do it now.”

She snuggled into his chest as he carried her to the bed and set her down.

“You are improving, darling. Soon, you will be as romantically inclined as any young beau.”

“It is entirely thanks to your remarkable motivation. To see that smile on your face,” Richard took her cheek in his palm, “there is little that I would not do.”

Amelia swooned—genuinely swooned—and in quick fashion, they were both pleasantly dressed down to their underthings, Richard pulling on his banyan to keep warm in the room while the fire got going.

“Tomorrow, we ride for Hugh’s estate. Are you looking forward to spending time in the country again?” Amelia asked. It had been a long while since Richard had returned to Blackford, and while this would be different, it was still quite similar to his familiar country home.

Her husband relaxed on the bed, holding out his arm for her to lie against him. “I am. It is a slower pace in the country, and I think you, too, will find it enjoyable.”

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