Page 5 of The Scandal of the Deceived Duchess
“You look downright bored to death, my dear. Someone as beautiful and as young as you should never have to put up with the tedium of idle business talk. Come, young lady, let me show you some of the delicacies we have on offer here at Carlton House. Afterward, I would like to delight you with some of my newest additions to my art collection.”
Before the prince regent could whisk an almost fainting Amelia away, he turned to Lord Templeton French. “My Lord, ‘tis most unbecoming to discuss business in my house – I shall not have it. You are surrounded by some of the most exquisite artwork in the world – I suggest you regale yourself with it and not bore lovely young ladies with the tedium of your commercial avarice…good afternoon.”
“Your Royal Highness,” said the others in unison and almost toppling forward and stumbling with their bows and curtseys.
“I was not aware Amelia was acquainted with the Prince Regent. How absolutely wonderful…ha, ha, ha,” said Amelia’s mother.
Sir Thomas rolled his eyes at his wife’s stupidity. He could have strangled her as he watched his daughter exchange words with the regent. He quickly returned his attention to the duke’s son. “I have a proposal for you…”
Chapter 3
The Dream
Women’s laughter could be heard on the second floor of the Carlyle residence in London Mayfair. It came from Amelia’s room that had high ceilings in imitation of the reception rooms downstairs. A fire burned in the hearth because it still got rather chilly at night despite it being June.
“He should be dashing, handsome and brave and strong,” said Amelia with dreamy eyes.
“Not too handsome ma’am. The ones that look too good always have roving eyes,ye sees,” said Anna.
Anna Titbits was Amelia’s lady’s maid. She was in charge of her hair, clothing, and any other personal tasks her mistress required of her. In other words, she was the female version of a gentleman’s gentleman or valet as the Americans liked to call them.
She was a petite sort with the sweetest of complexions: warm brown doe-like eyes, constantly smiling and a round face. Her entirety was like a mirror to her heart and soul. If any measurement could be applied to such things, then she was all gold and gems.
“Alright, let’s beg to differ on that one, Anna.” Amelia pressed her lips together in thought. “I…”
Anna tittered. “You do like ‘em gorgeous, don’t you ma’am.” She smiled as she ran a comb through her mistress’s hair.
“I don’t see why not. But what you said has me worrying. Maybe you are right and a gentleman who is not too good-looking might be better suited.”
“You are so beautiful, ma’am. No man would ever leave you.” She paused until her face lit up even more. “I would give anything to have hair like yours,” said Anna, looking at her mistress in the mirror attached to the dressing table.
Amelia took a moment to study her reflection. She knew that she was not unattractive, but she had never considered herself beautiful. She had moss-green eyes and high cheekbones. However, what she was most grateful for was her pixie nose. Fortunately, her mother’s side of the family had won out on that one. Her ash-black hair tumbled down from her head in a series of silky tresses.
She lifted her hand to touch the porcelain colored skin on her face. It felt smooth and was without blemish. As she let her mind wander back to the topic of a dashing man, her lips relaxed, displaying their fullness. Her head was perched on her neck like a rose blossom on a stem.
“The man that marries you, ma’am, will be the luckiest alive,” said Anna.
“Thank you, Anna. You are always so kind to me.”
“You are kind to me.” Anna thought for a moment. “The both of us will find love one day…I know because I dreamt it.”
“You dreamt it?”
“Aye,” said Anna in her typical Scottish lilt.
“What was the dream about?” asked Amelia, her curiosity piqued.
She always found Anna such a pleasure to be with. In a way, she thought her far more pleasant company than all of the inflated windbags that attended her mother’s invitations. She was so free-spirited and real. What you saw was what you got. Secretly, Amelia wished she could be the same - to break free and get away from the constraints of society.The prince regent does what he wants,she thought, remembering her chat with him earlier that day.Why can’t I?
“The dream was about us travelling on a long journey. It was by sea, it was.”
Amelia giggled.
“Aye. But somehow, we never got to where we were supposed to be going,” said Anna with a deep frown on her forehead.
“Where did we end up then?”
“With two dashing men. Yours was more handsome than mine…”
