Page 10 of An Arranged Marriage with a Cruel Earl
Amelia was gripping Emmeline’s hand tight. Emmeline glared at Uncle Henry, then looked away before Mama saw. The very air in the room seemed to stiffen and she looked up as a man walked in.
“Lord Rilendale, my lord. My ladies,” the butler announced.
A tall, dark-haired man strode into the room. Emmeline gazed at his stiff posture and his hard, flinty expression.
He was cold, the way frost is cold or marble. No human warmth seemed to emanate from his tall, icy form. His posture was erect, his back stiff and his body clearly muscled, though not bulky. His face was chiselled, his mouth a hard line. His eyes were what she focused on. They were wintry blue, a colour like ice or the sunshine in snow, and they fixed her with a stare that made her shiver. She could imagine that the worst rumours were true...there was no humanity there to be seen, only a frozen gaze that repelled her.
Emmeline looked away hastily, a tingle of fear creeping down her spine.
“Lord Rilendale. Welcome,” Uncle Henry greeted him, holding out a hand in welcome. “I’m delighted to meet you. I have heard much of your lordship from...”
“Lord Neville,” Andrew interrupted. He sounded angry. Emmeline tensed at the rude interruption.
“Yes. Yes, from him,” Uncle Henry agreed, smiling. Evidently, he chose to ignore the insulting rudeness. “He was kind enough to arrange thismeeting, and I am grateful to you that you have honoured the arrangement. Please meet my wife, and my dear daughter, Amelia,” he added, gesturing to Aunt Patricia and Amelia. “Amelia, Patricia...this is his lordship, the Earl of Rilendale.”
Amelia’s hand tightened on Emmeline’s, and she tensed her spine, finding the courage to look straight into Lord Rilendale’s eyes. It was hard not to shiver. She tried not to shake and held his gaze angrily.
“My lady,” Andrew greeted, his eyes darting from herself to Amelia. He did not know which of them was Uncle Henry’s daughter.
“This is my daughter,” Uncle Henry explained before Emmeline could seize the opportunity to say something. “Her cousin, Lady Emmeline, is visiting. This is Emmeline,” he added, gesturing to her. “She is the daughter of my dear sister, the Viscountess of Radley” he added, gesturing to Charlotte Ashmore.
“Charmed,” Andrew said coldly. He bowed briefly to Emmeline and then to her mother. Emmeline glanced at her mother. She looked uncomfortable. Her grey eyes regarded Lord Rilendale suspiciously. Her angry, protective look lifted Emmeline’s spirits a little.
“So!” Uncle Henry said with some enthusiasm. “We will call for another teacup, eh?”
Emmeline stood protectively close to Amelia, who appeared on the verge of trembling.
“Thank you,” Andrew said in a wintry tone.
Emmeline went to the table with her, clinging to her hand. They both sat down at the tea table. Andrew sat opposite.
“It was fine weather today, was it not, Lord Rilendale?” Aunt Patricia asked him as he sat down.
“Very fine,” he said bluntly. He settled in the chair, his eyes moving swiftly around the room. Emmeline did not like the way he was surveying everyone. She tensed when his gaze moved to Amelia.
“Would you care for some sandwiches, my lord?” Uncle Henry asked, gesturing to the cake and sandwiches and other delicacies. Andrew shook his head.
“No. Thank you.”
“A fine time of year, is it not?” Uncle Henry asked.
“Mayhap,” he said with a shrug.
Emmeline studied him as he tried to exchange pleasantries with Uncle Henry. His manner was abrupt enough to be rude. His pale face was hardand expressionless, his mouth a firm line. He had the cruellest, coldest face she’d ever seen.
“It’s a good day for a walk. What do you think, Amelia?” Uncle Henry asked. She looked sideways at Amelia, who looked at the table. She began to stammer an answer but could not form the words.
“Would you care for a stroll?” their guest asked Amelia as if trying to prompt her to talk. Emmeline lifted her gaze to his.
“My cousin is indisposed,” Emmeline said firmly.
Amelia shot her a grateful look. Uncle Henry frowned.
“Amelia, dear. Are you unwell?” He sounded concerned.
“I...” Amelia tried to say.
Lady Radley was watching both her and Amelia with concern. She rested a hand on Uncle Henry’s arm as Emmeline watched.
