Page 25 of The Scandal of the Deceived Duchess
Amelia no longer gloated about this. In complete contrast to when she had first met Jonathan, she kept her patriotic fervor to herself. They no longer argued about the war. Instead, they spoke of it as mere foreign spectators from across the world might. Amelia could not bring herself to hate the lands that were supposed to act as her prison. In a way, she had come to love the cultivated beauty of Virginia that was almost untouched in certain parts.
She often thought of all of these things when she sat in the library belonging to Jonathan’s mansion. It was Amelia’s favorite room. Shelf after shelf of leather-bound books lined two of the walls all the way up to the ceiling. The side of the room facing the outside had large sash windows looking onto the roundabout in front of the mansion. The last remaining wall was where the large open fireplace stood and a table with decanters on the top and marquetry mantelpieces with marble surfaces.
As of late and slowly creeping up on her, Jonathan had become more and more of a resident of her mind. His way, his looks and his ideals hung about Amelia like a wispy afterthought. It remained there constantly and became more prevalent when she actively thought about him or engaged him in conversation.Did he feel or think the same?This was a relentless question that plagued her mind.But why?
“Am I falling for him?” she whispered.
Amelia dropped her copy of ‘Pamela: or, Virtue Rewarded’ by Samuel Richardson onto the parquetry flooring. “It can’t be; I cannot love him – he’s American and a rogue.”
“I knew you’d come ‘round in the end, Amelia,” said Anna, entering the library room with a flutter of billowing skirts.
“What was that?”
“You were raving about not being able to love somebody…and I know who it isyeare talking about,” said Anna with a wink. She sat down in the chair closest to Amelia and looked at her with questioning eyes.
“Stop being silly, Anna.” Amelia laughed hysterically as if the notion of having feelings for Jonathan was absolutely preposterous.
“What is silly about love?Yemustn’t fight it all of the time.”
“There is nothing to fight. I have become quite fond of him, but that is about it. He is smart and very honorable…” the words petered out when Amelia realized that she had a rather long list of praises for the American captain. She decided not to provide a vent for them lest she incur further comments from Anna who was already grinning in that irritating way she did.
“There’s nothing wrong with it.” Anna’s face adopted the mien it always had when a plan popped to mind. “We could stay here and never go back to England.”
“How dare you suggest something so outrageous? We can’t stay here. I, I forbid it. We are British subjects and not colonials.”
“Amelia, you know full well that this is a country in its own right.” Anna pressed her lips together as she weighed the burning news she wanted to share with Amelia in her mind. “Won’t you even consider it?”
“Never,” hissed Amelia, getting to her feet. “Now, enough talk on the matter. I have to prepare and change my attire. Jake’s taking us to Richmond – have you forgotten?” she headed for the door.
Anna sighed as she picked the book up off the floor and placed it on the table next to where Amelia had sat. “Maybe we might bump into Jonathan when we are there. He is in town for business. I am certain he has much news.”
Amelia rolled her eyes. “I think Jonathan Mitchell has better things to do than spend time with women while they are wandering the streets and doing all things womanly – now, come along, we best hurry.”
Anna followed her out. She had something to tell Amelia and it burned on her tongue like boiling water. She wouldn’t risk it. Her mistress and friend could be quite narrow-minded when she had made her mind up about something. Anna’s news would have to wait until Amelia had become slightly more malleable.
Chapter 13
A Day in Town
Richmond, Virginia, United States of America, end of February 1814
Richmond was the capital city of Virginia. It had seen incredible growth in the past years, very much like the rest of the state that had a total population of close to nine hundred thousand people. It had a main street and fine buildings where much of the region’s tobacco wealth had found its way.
Anna and Amelia strolled idly, gazing at the merchandise in the shop windows, which had grown in scarcity since the advent of the war. She had been to the town on a few occasions before, and it never ceased to amaze her how much farther it needed to grow to become anything like a European city. To Amelia, London was the center of the world. Would something so magnificent ever exist in America?
Jake had gone off to purchase tools and other materials needed for the plantation in preparation for the springtime. While Amelia waited, it dawned on her how many of the menfolk in the town were missing. She watched the street only to find predominantly women of all ages walking hither and thither. Virginia and the other southern states were the most ardent supporters of the war against the British. This was the reason why the British focused even greater attention on harassing them as of late.
“Amelia, how nice to find you here. Jake didn’t tell me that he was taking you into town,” said a familiar voice.
“Jonathan…yes, Anna and I needed a change of scenery.” Amelia’s eyes opened wide as she studied him. She liked the way he smiled at her whenever he was near.
“Are you bored of plantation life already?”
“No, not at all. I really like it at Fair Weather Heaths’. It is a beautiful place.”
Jonathan smiled. “I am so glad you think so. You and Anna have become a part of it. It will be difficult…” his words trailed off when he thought of her ever leaving.
It was an inevitable prospect that he had put to the back of his mind. Once upon a time, he would have relished the notion of being rid of the irritating Englishwoman. Now, he could not imagine life without her. He enjoyed having her at his table every day. It had become so ingrained into his life at home that he could no longer envisage a meal without her partaking in it.
