Page 27 of The Earl's Bluestocking Bride
“You are an unusual man,” she observed. “Yesterday, you asked me to tell you something about me, and I did. Now, I’d like to know something about you. All I know is that you’re an earl and my mother is impressed by you.”
He grinned, and her insides fluttered again. “What else do you need to know?” He ate another bite of scone while he thought. “I have one sibling. A younger sister. Do you have any siblings?”
Amelia’s chest squeezed. “No. I should have liked a sister.”
“They’re pests of a thing,” Longley teased before growing serious. “But I love her dearly anyway.”
“What’s her name?”
“Katherine. We call her Kate.”
“And how old is she?”
“Eighteen. We intend to introduce her to society next season.”
“I am sure she will have every success she wishes for.” The words held a hint of bitterness, and she hoped he didn’t notice. It was just that it would be nice to have someone care about her as Longley cared for Kate. She could already tell that he was a protective older brother.
“I have returned,” Mrs. Hart declared, striding into the room with Mrs. White close behind her. When she spotted Amelia and Longley still sitting on opposite chaises, her face fell.
Amelia resisted the urge to roll her eyes. What had she thought would happen? Amelia was hardly the sort to seduce a man in her parents’ drawing room.
Mrs. White set a fresh teapot on the table and removed the other. She left without a word.
Mrs. Hart joined Amelia on the chaise. “My lord, Ameliaand I would love to hear about Longley Manor. It is in Suffolk, is it not?”
The earl popped the remainder of the scone into his mouth, wiped his fingers on his handkerchief, and started to tell them a little about his country home. Amelia listened, eager to learn more about a part of the country she had not yet visited.
Unfortunately, he didn’t get far before her mother took over the conversation. As she listened to Mrs. Hart’s chatter, Amelia wished she’d had more of a chance to learn about who Longley was as a man.
When the earl finally glanced at the clock and said he had best leave, Amelia still could not make heads or tails of his intentions toward her.She couldn’t imagine that a man like him would court her without an ulterior motive, but he did seem sincere.
She and her mother escorted him to the door. He turned toward her.
“May I call on you again?” he asked.
She inclined her head. “Of course. We would be delighted.”
Although what would please her even more was if she knew exactly what the man was up to. She wanted to believe that he was simply interested in her as a prospective bride because he found something about her intriguing, but her instincts told her there was more to the story than she was seeing.
She feared that if she did not uncover his true motives soon, she might allow herself to fall for his flirtation.
That could only end poorly.
CHAPTER 7
Andrew straightened his back,donned his most charming smile, and knocked on the Harts’ front door. It opened instantly, as if the butler had been waiting on the other side for him to overcome his nerves.
He raised one fluffy gray eyebrow. “Can I help you, sir?”
Andrew cleared his throat. “Please advise Miss Hart that the Earl of Longley is here to call on her.”
The butler inclined his head. “Very good, sir. Please enter.” He stepped aside to grant Longley entrance and then closed the door behind him. “Wait here. I will return momentarily.”
Andrew watched as he climbed the stairs slowly enough that he was tempted to dash up them himself in search of Miss Hart. Alas, that was a surefire way to end up trussed at the altar.
Although… wasn’t that his aim? Would it be so bad to push the matter?
Yes.
