Page 84 of Rakes & Reticules
His breath caught when Amelia glanced down the table at him and graced him with a dazzling smile.
Is this how it felt to be in love?
He had been aware of the girl for months, but they had never spoken until this weekend. Gad, they were hardly more than acquaintances.
Yet, he felt as though he had always known her.
After supper, the men remained behind to enjoy their port while the ladies retreated to the parlor for tea and sherry. He and his brother took the opportunity to quietly ask each bachelor about the love letter Amelia had received.
No one owned up to writing it.
Callum was now shaking his head in bemusement as he and James compared responses. “Amelia was certain it was a mistake and not meant for her. But nobody confessed to writing the letter for any young lady. This makes no sense, James.”
His brother shrugged. “We only asked the bachelors. What if the love letter was written by one of our married friends?”
“Then we will never have a truthful answer from the culprit. What married man would ever come forward for fear word will get back to his wife? Still, I cannot believe any of the husbands here this weekend are the sort to stray...and with Amelia? It is not possible.”
“This might be one puzzle never solved, Callum. Perhaps it no longer matters. If it was meant for Amelia, she is going to refuse his advances. If it was meant for another young lady, I’m sure the fellow will have dropped hints to this woman of his dreams by now. Do you think he would be so foolish as to follow up with another love note?”
Callum grinned. “Let’s hope he gets the right reticule this time. Come on, we ought to join the ladies before they grow impatient with us. They must be eager for the dancing to start.”
He had engaged a pianist last night to play for those wishing to partake of this livelier entertainment, but tonight they would dance to the strains of a full orchestra. His staff had rolled up the carpet in the music room and set out chairs along the walls for those who wished to sit out a dance or merely watch.
Card tables were set up in the summer parlor for those who preferred to play cards. He was looking forward to partnering with Amelia and intended to seek her out, but Dorothea intercepted him as soon as he walked into the parlor. “You promised me two dances, Your Grace.”
“I have not forgotten,” he said, trying to stem his impatience. “You shall have them later.”
She was not pleased to be put off, perhaps hoping to open the dancing with him. This was no formal ball and he had no intention of doing so.
Pennington swooped in and took Dorothea into the music room, sparing a moment to cast Callum a look of contrition for his earlier encounter with Amelia in the library. No harm had been done, but his friend was trying to apologize for any misunderstanding by taking Dorothea out of his hair.
This now left him free to seek out Amelia. “Ready for an exciting game of whist?”
She laughed. “I’m sure this passes as tame entertainment for you, verging on the boring. But I am ready for our game and look forward to it.”
He held her back a moment as the last of his guests sauntered toward the activity of their preference. “James and I made discreet inquiries about that letter you found in your reticule. No one has owned up to writing it. We can pursue the matter further if you wish, but–”
“No, let it go. It wasn’t meant for me and I expect the man who wrote it realizes by now he delivered it to the wrong lady. My concern was that his mistake would interfere with a budding romance. It is sad to think the gentleman might have given up on the lady he loves because she did not respond to a letter he thought she had received.”
“Amelia, I do believe you are a romantic at heart.”
She cast him a delicate smile. “In truth, I am. Even bluestockings wish for love. It would be quite a thrill to have a dashing gentleman come along and sweep me off my feet. The only difference between me and Dorothea is that I am content to occupy myself with academic pursuits until that special someone comes along.”
“While she puts her mind to plotting and scheming.” He sighed and held out his arm to her. Most of the players who were settling in for a night of cards were his older guests. All the young ladies, other than Amelia, preferred to dance. So did most of his bachelor friends.
Amelia regarded him thoughtfully. “You do not need to stay with me if you would rather join the dancers. I’m sure I can find another whist partner.”
“I can think of nothing more terrifying than being in the music room with all those young ladies coming at me.” He glanced toward the door and laughed. “Dorothea already has me down for two dances. Dear heaven, how I dread it.”
“One must give her credit for her tenacity. I think she would have made a fine battlefield general, don’t you think? I would not underestimate her ability to plot a military offensive.”
“She has an alarmingly devious mind. Hence her attempted ambush of you. Fortunately, it failed. I’m certain she will try again.”
“I think all her scheming does not serve her well. She is so busy trying to bring down others, she forgets that at the end of the day, it is her qualities that count most. Perhaps finding true love will soften her. I hope she does find it. I believe there is someone out there for each of us. She might be nicer to others if she were happier for herself.”
“You are too kind toward her, Amelia. Nothing and no one will ever satisfy a girl like her. I’ve seen others such as Dorothea over the years, young women with extraordinary beauty and secure in wealth. But they are never content with what they have. Their envy always gets the better of them. They seek to destroy what others have because of their own petty jealousy.”
“That is rather a harsh assessment, don’t you think?”
