Page 43 of The Scandal of the Deceived Duchess
“I did not say that. I only am of the opinion that I can convince the duke to help us leave the country.” Amelia pressed her fingertips together straining the joints. “The duke made me feel more like his daughter than my father ever could.”
“Why don’tyemarry him then?” asked Anna, snickering.
“Anna, stop trying to sabotage this discussion,” hissed Amelia.
“I am sorry.” Anna stopped pacing up and down and sat down on the bed. She cradled her head in her hands and sighed.
“If you really don’t like the idea of involving the duke then we must think of something else. And very little comes to mind other than just running off,” said Amelia, eying her friend in the mirror.
Anna lifted her hands and sighed again. “I do not like the idea of involving the father of the man you are supposed to marry – no, I definitely do not like that idea. But, you are also a very good judge of character and I trust you.”
“Thank you, Anna. That means so much to me. I trust you too.” Amelia smiled for the first time that day. “We will make it back to America; I know it.” She got to her feet and walked over to Anna and sat down on the bed next to her. She took her hand. “You do believe that, Anna?”
Anna turned her head until she looked her friend in the eyes. “Aye, I believe it. It was enough trouble getting to know the blokes. I had a dream that we would meet them. So, why would God rip us apart after all that to not to let us get back together again? It just doesn’t make sense.”
Amelia chuckled. “As always Anna, you hit the nail right on the head.” The expression on her face soon darkened. “Had I only not been such a stubborn old donkey, we might still be over there with the men we love.”
“Don’tyeever blameyerselffor it.Yecouldn’t have known. Also, it is a lot more difficult forye,” Anna paused in an attempt to find the right words, “to act normal.”
Amelia pleated her brow. “You don’t think I am normal?”
“No, I do not. Had things been different, I would have continued working here and found some bloke to marry me and that would have been that; we would’ve loved one another, and it would’ve been all right.” She rolled her eyes theatrically. “Ye, on the other hand, have all of these rules to follow. No wonderyedidn’t know what hit ye whenyestarted to have all of these feelings for Jonathan. It went against everythingyewere brought up to believe.”
Amelia relived the moments she had spent with Jonathan. Anna was right. She did not know what was happening to her. It had crept up on her in a clandestine fashion. Before she knew it, she had kissed Jonathan back. She had tried to resist, but her feelings had gotten the better of her. Thinking back, she would have it no other way.
“All right then. The Duchess of Waverly’s ball is tomorrow. I am almost certain that the duke will be in attendance. I will approach him and state my case.” Somehow, Amelia no longer felt as certain about that course of action.
“I suppose we will know then,” said Anna, placing her arm on Amelia’s shoulder.
“I of course will not mention anything about you. This is my sacrifice. If I fail to convince the duke, then we will have to find a way to get you to America without me,” said Amelia, her jaw firming.
“No, I will not leave you. It is my duty to remain by your side.”
“As a lady’s maid maybe, but not as my friend.”
The expression on Anna’s face hardened. “No, I will not leave you to the wolves,” she repeated. “It is my duty to endure. That is what friends do.”
“Look, you owe it to Jake to do everything in your power to return to him. You made a promise,” said Amelia. “And besides, what kind of a friend would I be to deny you your happiness because I failed to secure mine…if there are to be any casualties, then it shall only be me.”
Anna reflected for a moment. “We will both make it back to America or not at all. And that is my final word on the subject.”
Amelia could’ve cried. Anna’s fortitude and loyalty astounded her. In a way, she had expected nothing less from the tenacious Scotswoman, but hearing it spoken out loud meant so much more.Maybe, we should escape after all? What if I am wrong about the duke? I will ruin both of our lives.
“Of course, those twoladdiescould make it easier for us by turning up here and whisk us away to safety in their arms. Why do we have to do all of the work, eh? If they are gentlemen, shouldn’t they be fighting for us?” Anna squeezed Amelia’s hand. “I think we should be patient.” She snapped her head in Amelia’s direction. “When is the wedding to take place, anyway?”
“There is no fixed date yet,” murmured Amelia.
“Exactly! These big events take time to prepare. I think we should wait it out a little more. Nothing good comes out of being hasty…what doyethink?”
Amelia nodded. “You are right. We shall only take drastic action when the wedding date is set. Before then, we wait it out. We could, of course, write them a letter and say that we are well.” She had so much to say to Jonathan, but she did not know where to begin.
“Yes, I agree. And you did say that the Americans and the British are currently entertaining the notion of conducting negotiations in Ghent.”
Amelia dipped her head. “The duke mentioned as much during luncheon. The fact is not supposed to be common knowledge, but he told me nonetheless.”
“Good, that is that. We will write our men a letter…”
“All right, Anna. Fetch the quill, ink, and paper. We shall begin,” said Amelia in a tone that did not broach argument.
