Page 72 of His Abandoned Duchess

“Are you sure?” He shook his head.

“We have already discussed it prior to your arrival. I had suggested as much, and Richard said he wouldthinkon it. It appears that the matter has been quite settled,” Amelia replied, a slight giggle behind her words.

“I am so grateful, Richard. Immensely. Infinitely!” Hugh laughed, the tears breaking free at the surge of emotion, though pleasantly, this one was joy.

“You are incredibly welcome, Hugh. I am sorry that it has taken me this long to finally learn the truth and make right the rift between us.”

“You and me both, Brother. I should have come soon. Mother should have talked sooner. But we are here, and in a moment like this one, I choose to embrace the gratitude for at last coming together and for your magnanimous generosity.”

As the swell of warmth and family took over the room, lifting everyone’s spirits to the rafters, Richard looked between his wife and his brother. They were both relationships that could have been so destroyed by his lack of communication and action. He, too, would be highly grateful for them for the rest of his days.

“Would you like to stay for dinner, Hugh? We have asked the cook to prepare a favorite of Richard’s from when he was young. I am sure you’ll remember it too. Roast pheasant with spiced?—”

“Chutney,” Hugh finished. “Oh, that would be delightful. I shall have to call Sophia from the hotel to join us.”

“Oh, please do!” Amelia exclaimed.

“Sophia.” Richard smiled. “I take it that this is the young woman to whom I will be giving my blessing.”

“It is.” Hugh smiled, and Richard now understood the look of romance in his eyes that, before Amelia, he would have missed. “I can’t wait for you to meet her.”

“I look forward to delivering my good wishes in person. And allow me to send a carriage for her. London is too busy for her to be walking alone.”

“You are too kind, Richard. But I will accept under the appreciation of someone besides myself looking out for Sophia’s wellbeing. She is a delicate thing, and I hate to think what could happen to her.”

“Any way I can be of assistance, Brother, I am happy to provide it.”

Amelia leaned against Richard’s arm, smiling up at him before trading glances between the two men in the room.

“A family dinner. What a perfect way to end the evening. It has been far too long since I enjoyed one.”

Turning toward her—and not caring a lick for how obvious his affections were for her—Richard wrapped his arms around Amelia’s waist and gazed down at her, love beaming through his stare.

“Then we shall make it a tradition. The winter holiday, the Season, we will come together for each one. As a family.”

Amelia’s eyes welled up, and she did nothing to stop the tears—a favorite feature of his. She was never afraid to show her true self, to let the strength of her emotions be known. It was beyond admirable.

“That sounds lovely, darling. And perhaps, someday soon, our family will be growing.”

Richard smiled, no longer afraid or repelled by the prospect. “If you are open to the experience, dearest, who am I to stop you.”

“Absolutely no one, given my current standing.”

Both Richard and Hugh laughed, and the Duke leaned down to place a chaste kiss on her lips.

“In all things, Amelia, I am at your disposal and forever in your debt. Painting a bright future for you will be my greatest accomplishment.”

“That,” Amelia smirked, winking, “and clobbering a wild Earl.”

“What?!” Hugh chuckled through the utter surprise.

“That, Brother, is a story for over dinner.” Richard opened up his arm, gesturing toward the door. “So we best call for Sophia so that she does not miss it.”

Epilogue

The estate bustled with the lively discussions of both friends and family. Amelia looked on with a smile as Lady Charlotte and her brother worked to entertain Lord Emerton. However, the Duchess had already been told by her dear friend that the man seemed far too much like a rake for the Lady’s liking.

All Amelia could do was laugh to herself, especially when she noticed the way Charlotte continued to stare down the man when he’d turned his attention to her brother. If she didn’t know better—which, in this instance, she very well might—Amelia would have thought there was a spark of interest behind her critical gaze.

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