Page 95 of Rakes & Reticules
Dorothea still had a triumphant sneer on her face. “That is the last we shall see of you, you little schemer.”
“Actually, if anyone is to be accused of scheming, it is you Lady Dorothea,” Callum said, emitting another growl that even had her quaking. “I’ve had about all I can take from you, so if you wish to remain in this house another minute, then I suggest you keep your mouth shut. The next time you open it to spew your bile, I shall have you tossed from my home.”
The onlookers gasped.
Amelia saw their gazes turn avid, for they had not expected to be witness to something that would make headline news in the gossip rags. Nor were they ever expecting it to be Dorothea’s downfall. If anything, they would have placed their wagers on her — Amelia, the inept bluestocking — to take a crushing fall.
“All of you, go on about your business,” he commanded, but even Amelia knew no one was going to budge. Oh, perhaps they would slide a few steps back in response to his bark, but no one was going to leave, not even on pain of death. “Go on. Get out. Breakfast is available in the dining room. Go feast on that.”
His guests did not want eggs or kippers, they wanted to devour gossip.
Deliciously juicy gossip.
A family battle was about to unfold in the Duke of Marston’s household, and they were going to witness it, even if it meant never being invited to Marston Hall again.
Amelia cleared her throat. “I ought to leave as well.”
The duke clamped a hand on her shoulder before she had the chance to escape. He frowned at her. “Not a chance, Amelia.”
“Why must I stay? Am I not humiliated enough? Oh, not because of that ridiculous assertion about me and your brother. I hope you don’t–”
“I know there is nothing between you and James. It is utter tripe. I trust you completely.”
“Can I say the same of you?” She shook her head because her words had come out badly. “I mean, I do trust you. But why did you take me under your wing this weekend? Well, I know it was at Rosie’s urging because I have been such a failure on the Marriage Mart. But was it part of a grander plan?” She rubbed her temples, for her head was now pounding. “Were you all in on it? Rosie, Lord Danvers, James...and you.”
“There was no plan.”
“Well then, call it an act of charity. Is this what I am to you? A charity case? A hopeless bluestocking doomed to be a spinster and live out a drab, lonely life? So you all conspired to give me a weekend of magic. Is this why you went out of your way to kiss me? You were merely taking pity on me. I did not ask for your pity and I certainly did not ask for your kiss.”
“He kissed all of us,” Dorothea said, obviously having no intention of keeping quiet or leaving the music room while there was still damage to be done.
She was awfully bloodthirsty for atondiamond.
More guests were now poking their heads in and blocking the doorway.
Amelia shook her head. “I was not referring to that kiss.”
“It is no one’s business,” Callum said quietly.
But not quietly enough, for gasps broke out among the ladies and chuckles among the men when they realized he had indeed kissed her another time besides the scavenger hunt victory prize.
“How many times has he kissed you?” Dorothea’s eyes were once again beady and her expression ranged from malicious to gloating. Obviously, thetondiamond could not decide whether to be jealous or simply mean. “And when?”
Amelia was not going to answer the question. She was saved from fending off more questions when the crowd parted to reveal Lord Danvers, James, and her Aunt Rosie rushing in.
“What is going on?” Lord Danvers asked. “The matter sounded urgent. I thought someone was hurt.”
“Someone has been hurt,” the duke said, now staring at Amelia as tears formed in her eyes. “What in heaven’s name were you all thinking? Oh, hell. Amelia, don’t you dare cry.”
“I cannot help it. Am I supposed to stand here and pretend my heart has not been shattered in a thousand pieces? Every moment of this weekend has been a hoax, all of you either laughing at me or pitying me.” She emitted a quiet sob. “Why would any of you do such a thing? And to toss in love notes? What was I supposed to think when I received them? How do you expect me to respond now that I know they are fake?”
Rosie reached out a hand to her. “My dear, we thought you might be thrilled to know you had a secret admirer.”
“But I didn’t have one. You only made me think I did.” She turned to the duke’s brother. “Why did you go along with this ridiculous scheme? Did you plant both notes?”
Lord Danvers sighed. “No, he did not. I planted the first.”
“How you all must have been laughing at me.”
