Page 73 of Rakes & Reticules
Amelia was his to look after.
What did James want with her?
He asked his brother once they were finally alone.
James shook his head and laughed. “I don’t believe it.”
Callum frowned at him. “You don’t believe what?”
“You like Amelia.” He held up his hands in mock surrender. “Admit it, you do. More than merely like her since I’ve never seen you turn into a jealous ape over anyone before.”
“I...no, it...” He rubbed a hand along the nape of his neck. “For pity’s sake, I am not jealous.”
“You have not taken your eyes off her since she arrived.”
“Not so. I’ve hardly had a moment alone with her because–”
His brother burst out laughing. “You have no idea how long the two of you were touring the Marston private collection, do you? Well, I’ll tell you. It was easily an hour.”
“Impossible.”
James arched an eyebrow. “But it felt like mere minutes, didn’t it?”
Callum sighed. “It could not have been an hour.”
“Do you know how long you were standing with Dorothea and her group of friends?”
“Now, that felt like an eternity,” he said with a shake of his head.
James cast him a most irritating grin. “It was less than ten minutes.”
“What are you suggesting?”
His brother rolled his eyes. “You know very well what this signifies.”
Yes, he knew.
But could it be?
Was he was falling in love with Amelia?
CHAPTERTHREE
Amelia realized she must have had a perplexed look on her face when the Duke of Marston approached her the following day.
Dear heaven.
Did the man always have to look spectacular?
“Is something wrong, Lady Amelia? You appear distressed.”
“Not distressed so much as confused.” It was late morning and everyone had gathered in the parlor to receive their first clues to start the scavenger hunt. However, she had discovered something in her reticule that now had her completely distracted.
“Care to tell me what has you so obviously befuddled?”
She handed him a folded paper. “You see...I found this note in my reticule a few minutes ago, and clearly it must be a mistake. I cannot think when it might have been slipped in there. Perhaps upon our arrival yesterday when we ladies set aside our gloves and reticules while waiting for our bags to be brought up to our rooms.”
“Could someone have placed it there this morning while you were down to breakfast?” He unfolded the note, pleased she had come to him with it and not her aunt.
