Page 13 of The Missing Book
“He does not even want me in company with bluestockings,” Lady Anna answered blithely, making Amelia’s eyebrows rise. “Though I will ignore him with that, of course. Just as I ignore him on so many things.” She smiled at Amelia who was still attempting to take in this obvious dislike from Lord Broughton. “He is much too ridiculous, I know. I have long tried to tell him that his high standards and expectations are muchtoohigh but he will not listen. He is determined to be the very best that society demands but truth be told, I think it is his own expectations that holds him to such a high standard.”
“I see.” Amelia tried to dismiss these remarks, telling herself that she did not know Lord Broughton and certainly did not need to but still, the feeling of insult lingered. “Well, if you can find a way for us to meet and converse, I should be glad to speak with you on anything you wish. Though I cannot promise to be able to answer every question, as I have said!”
Lady Anna beamed at her. “Oh yes, of course! We shall have to be a little covert, but I will certainly be able to manage.” Her gaze shifted a little to her left, only to pause. “Ah, there is my brother. Let me introduce you to him, if I may?”
“Of course.”
Amelia smiled as she was led towards a tall, lean gentleman who had the very same brown eyes as his brother but whose smile was a good deal warmer.
“This is my brother, Viscount Melford,” Lady Anna said, her ease of manner telling Amelia that he was a good deal easier to get along with than Lord Broughton. “Melford, this is Lady Amelia, daughter of – ”
“Ah, the bluestocking who berated Lord Trafalgar for his haughtiness and arrogance!” Lord Melford chuckled, then bowed quickly. “I am delighted to make your acquaintance. I hear you are the talk of London society!”
This made Amelia blush, though her lips did curve into a smile. “I do hope that they will find something else to speak about soon enough.”
“You are much too modest,” Lord Melford told her. “I think it an excellent thing that you spoke so.” He let his gaze rove around the room. “And you are also responsible for bringing my sister here, I understand. I have never set foot in this place before and I am a little overawed by it all, I confess!”
The smile on Amelia’s lips grew. “It is beautiful, is it not? There are many other rooms and, as I said to Lady Anna, some books of both great worth and also very little value. The gentleman who established this place wished for everyone, regardless of their standing, to be able to read whatever they please.”
Lord Melford considered this, not giving her an answer for some time. One hand rubbed over his chin, his lips pursed slightly though Amelia did not feel herself at all anxious. She appreciated a gentleman who thought carefully before he spoke.
“I must say, I had not thought about what it would be like for those in society who cannot afford to buy all the books that I value so highly,” he said, after some time. “I think I should beglad to explore this establishment, to see both the books that are worth little and the ones that are worth a great deal.”
Thinking to herself that Lord Melford and his sister were both very amiable indeed, Amelia smiled back at him. “Then let me lead the way.”
6
Leopold scrubbed one hand over his face, the heat in his chest spreading outwards. “I do not want to speak of it!”
“But you must,” his brother insisted, much to Leopold’s frustration. “You cannot sit in here and hide yourself away, as you are doing. It has been over a sennight now and thetonhas already moved on in their gossiping.”
His jaw tight, Leopold looked away. “Do not insist, brother.”
“We arebothinsisting, though you do seem to like to ignore my presence,” Anna snapped, her hands at her hips as both she and Melford berated Leopold. “We are invited to Lord and Lady Kent’s ball tomorrow evening and you cannot refuse to attend, for you already accepted the invitation!”
Leopold’s chest grew tight, his mortification still lingering. Every time he thought about stepping out into society, he would be reminded of what he had done and the foolishness of his actions. No one knew that he had been distracted by Lady Amelia’s presence on the dance floor but that, in itself, was a shame upon him, albeit one he could not speak of. “I will send my excuses.”
“No!” Anna’s face went red, her eyes blazing. “You have a responsibility, aduty, to me. You are my chaperone, meant to be aiding me in finding a suitable match. That means you cannot simply push me aside whenyoufind yourself a little upset.”
“I think Anna is right,” Melford added, as Leopold grimaced. “You are and have always been, far too concerned with your standing in society. You pick up on little things that are not in the least bit important, fearful that society will note them and that you will fail in some way.”
“Except now, Ihavefailed,” Leopold interrupted, fiercely. “Are you unaware of that? Can you not see that I have done the very thing I have long been afraid of?”
His brother and sister shared a glance, though Leopold threw both hands through his hair, struggling against the fear that threatened to overwhelm him. Hehadfailed, dreadfully. The standing he held for himself had been broken into smithereens and, what was worse, he had not even apologized to Lady Gwendoline as he ought. Yes, he had sent a note but he should have gone to speak with her that very evening, apologizing profusely for what had happened. Instead, he had run away, hardly able to bear the shame that came with it all.
“Why do we not step out into society together this afternoon?” Anna suggested, making Leopold’s jaw set tight, already determined to refuse her. “It will not be a ball nor a soiree but simply walking through London so that you will feel a little more at ease.”
“An excellent idea.” Melford grinned at Leopold. “You cannot refuse her this, I am sure, for your responsibility as her chaperone must be weighing on you.”
This made Leopold’s shoulders drop. That, certainly, was true though he was doing his best to ignore it.
“Besides, do you not know that society is now gossiping about Lord Burlingham?” his brother continued, as a flushtouched Anna’s cheeks. “A rogue, apparently, who is now being forced into matrimony. Everyone is speaking of him and certainly not of you.”
Not quite sure whether or not to believe his brother in this, Leopold hesitated. It could be that Melford was saying such a thing to force Leopold’s hand so that hedidcome out into society, just as he and Anna desired.
“You doubt him, I can see,” Anna said, as Leopold scowled at her. “But it is the truth. However, I must repeat what Melford said to you only a few moments ago – you have a responsibility to me and that responsibility must weigh upon you a little, given that you know it is your duty and it is, at the present, a duty you are not fulfilling.” Her eyebrow arched as Leopold’s scowl grew. “Given the many,manystrict standards you place upon both myself and Melford, I think it would be deeply unfair if you did not do as you ought.” Her smile was cold. “Would that not be yet another failing?”
Those words pierced Leopold’s heart though he continued to glare at his sister. She had pushed right into the pain and shame that now seemed to be a part of him, making him feel nothing but utter humiliation.
