Page 30 of The Scandal of the Deceived Duchess
“What happened, Amelia?Yeare shaking like a pup standing in an icy wind.”
Anna had been waiting for her mistress to return home. She still took her duties very seriously no matter her engagement to Jake.
She moved closer to Amelia who stood facing the window in her room. There was nothing to see for the heavy yellow curtains were drawn shut. Anna gently placed her arms around her, stopping occasionally when Amelia tensed. After a few moments, Anna had her completely enveloped in her embrace.
“Why don’tyecome and sit over by the dressing table so that I can doyerhair and prepareyefor bed.” Anna smiled wanly when Amelia began to move in the direction in which she guided her. “All right. Now thatyeare settled,yecan tell me what happened this evening?” probed Anna, starting to comb Amelia’s hair softly.
Anna combed in silence without Amelia uttering a word. All she did was gaze at her reflection in the mirror. She looked haggard to the point of exhaustion. Her eyes were red from her crying, making them appear puffy. She sighed. “I have wronged poor Jonathan. He must think I am a crazy woman.”
Anna had to lean in closer to catch all of her words. “What happened? Why doyethinkyewronged him?
“We were at the hotel in Richmond having supper. I didn’t think anything of it because I was in a foreign town I would never return to…”
Anna patted Amelia on the shoulder. “Yeneed not explainyerreasons for frequenting a public establishment with a man without a chaperone.Yeare the epitome of ladylike grace and comportment – I ken no other likeye. Just tell me what happened.”
Amelia took a deep breath. “He told me about your betrothal to Jake…I am so happy for you, Anna.” She sniveled a tear away. “But why didn’t you tell me? I would not have been angry.”
“I wanted to in the library this afternoon butyewere in such a rush to get ready that I lost my nerve. And then I tried in the carriage on the way to Richmond.” Anna stopped combing and hitched her shoulders. “I never found a way to tellye. I am so sorry if I disappointedye.”
Amelia turned to face her friend. She took her hands in hers. “It’s all right. I forgive you.” She became serious once more. “Just never hide something like that from me again. I nearly fell off my chair when Jonathan told me, and I felt so left out.”
“I won’t, dearest Amelia. Never again.” The two women embraced. “Enough about Jake and I…what happened during supper?”
Amelia’s eyes reddened again as tears started to seep out of them. “He said that he wanted to escort me back to Canada.”
“Oh, I see. That is quite a shock. I never expected him to do that, especially after Jake…” Anna’s voice trailed off.
Amelia did not notice the lapse. She held onto Anna with all of the strength she still had left in her. They remained like that until Amelia gradually calmed down. She gratefully accepted the handkerchief Anna offered her and turned to face the mirror again. Once more, Anna resumed her combing.
“That is not it.” Amelia gulped. “Jonathan kissed me on the way back to Fair Weather Heaths’. It was enchanting. I got lost in his touch. He claimed me, and I fell for his charms until…” She could not continue as more tears flowed down her face.
“Until what?” asked Anna, dreading the worst.
“Until I broke away. I don’t know what overcame me until I did. When Jonathan first held my hand, I felt like Juliet in Shakespeare’s play. As he began to kiss me, it was like a scene in that play when her lover Romeo kissed her. I let myself, like Juliet, become one with love no matter the consequences of that love.” Amelia sniveled. “But do you know what happened to those two lovers in the end, Anna?”
Anna shook her head.
“They died because of a fate that did not accept them to be as such. Their families fought and hated one another, Romeo and Juliet betrayed their families’ fealty by falling in love and placing their emotions above those of their heritage.” Amelia gulped. “I cannot do the same…”
“It is but a play,” said Anna.
Amelia brushed her words aside with the flick of her dainty hand. “No, it is more than that.”
In that instant, the dear sweet Amelia had forgotten something that could be equally as potent to her implied interpretation. Maybe, the loss of a loved one is powerful enough to end a violent feud like the one the Montague and the Capulet shared. If love was so formidable, then why was the kiss with Jonathan so wrong?
“I will not betray my country and my family. I have responsibilities, and I am honor bound to make sure I fulfill them,” continued Amelia with conviction written right across her face.
“But…”
“No buts, Anna.” Amelia got to her feet and walked over to the bed. “Help me undress, if you please, Anna.”
“Amelia, does that mean you will be returning to Canada and then to England?” asked Anna, starting to unfasten her mistress’s dress.
“Yes, it does. Jonathan said we would be leaving in a few days time once he has made the arrangements. After that, I go to my sister’s and then home…to England.”
Anna shivered. She continued to work in silence. By the time she slid Amelia’s nightdress over her body, she had made up her mind. “I will, of course, escort you,” she said, not really sharing the conviction her words conveyed.
Amelia turned around slowly. “I am most grateful, Anna, but you do not have to do that. I will be quite all right on my own. And besides, you have a betrothed in Jake now.”
