Page 80 of Rakes & Reticules
The gentlemen, being declared winners themselves, now rushed forward to claim a kiss from their favorite young lady as reward.
Dorothea, of course, was the most desired and relished all the adulation.
Callum was glad everyone had their attention fixed on that empty-headed debutante and not on Amelia. This allowed him a moment alone with her. He cast her a reassuring smile. “Our kiss was not nearly long enough. I’m sorry for that, especially since it was your first.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “You could tell?”
“Only by how intently you were watching as I kissed the other ladies. It was obvious you were trying to figure out how it was done so as not to embarrass yourself when your turn came around. I’m truly sorry I could not kiss you as I wished, but I dared not be too obvious. I know how you detest attention being drawn to you.”
“I understand and appreciate your consideration.”
The others were laughing and clapping as the men began to chase the ladies of their choice around the room.
Several were chasing Dorothea, and she was delighting in all of it, squealing and playfully shrieking. This had everyone concentrating on Dorothea who continued to make a noisy fuss as the gentlemen lined up to kiss her.
Callum remained by Amelia’s side. “How was the kiss for you, Amelia?”
She cast him the sweetest smile. “Very nice, Your Grace.”
“Yes, I thought so, too. By the way, I hope you will call me Callum whenever we are not in company.”
“Because you kissed me?”
“No, you know that is not why. I’ve kissed all the ladies and have no intention of permitting them such familiarity. Thank goodness that is done and over. You may call me Callum because I respect and value your friendship.”
Although surprised, she nodded. “All right. Thank you. I am honored.”
They spoke no more as he was drawn away and once again surrounded by eager young ladies. He had enjoyed his hours with Amelia and would seek her out again after supper. There was something about her, about the way she made him feel at ease whenever in her company.
Dorothea tugged on his sleeve. “Your Grace, did you see how every man lined up to kiss me?”
She batted her eyelashes once again, a flirtation he was coming to find quite irritating. “Yes, it was hard to overlook.”
“Are you jealous?” She cast him a dimpled smile. “Yours was the first and best.”
“I am vastly relieved.” He tried to keep the sarcasm out of his voice, but this girl had such a grating manner about her. Perhaps he was being too harsh, for all he wanted to do was spend more time with Amelia and leave the others to themselves.
As his staff set out tea and refreshments, he glanced around the room for sign of Amelia, but she had disappeared.
James came up to him. “You will find her in the library.”
Callum sighed. “What makes you think I am looking for her?”
“Other than the fact you just spent five hours alone with her on the scavenger hunt and still cannot seem to drink enough of her in? By the way, you owe me for taking Dorothea off your hands. I was ready to leap off the clock tower after ten minutes in her company. I hope Amelia is worth the monumental sacrifice I made for you.”
“She is,” he said quietly.
James gaped at him. “Blessed saints. You really are serious about her. Partnering with her was never about doing a favor for Rosie, was it?”
“No, I merely made up that excuse.”
His brother’s jaw dropped even lower. “You made it up?”
“I had to for Amelia’s sake. If it became known I was singling her out for attention, speculation would have been rampant. She hates to be fussed over and would have run in the opposite direction.” He patted his breast pocket. “By the way, she may have another suitor. She found a love note in her reticule.”
James laughed. “Oh, this gets better and better. Did you write it?”
“No, you know how cautious I am. I would never put such thoughts down on paper.”
