Page 26 of The Missing Book
“Oh, but I would.” Speaking quickly, Leopold leaned forward in his chair just a little, an eagerness to have her believe him beginning to push to the fore. “I would tell you anything you desired to know, Lady Amelia. I am not about to prevent you from doing all you can to aid Mr. Lackington, I assure you.”
The light smile on her face faded slowly though instead, it was replaced with a curious look, as though she were trying to work out why he had said such a thing and, thereafter, if he was being genuine in his remarks. Leopold could only gaze back at her, his heart still thundering as the rest of the room faded away.
She is a bluestocking, remember?
That thought made him shiver and he turned his head away, breaking their contact. Whatever was he doing? Why was he gazing into her eyes and losing himself there? Why was he drawnto her in the first place? It did not make sense and Leopold grew a little frustrated with himself.Hewas the one who had always made certain that the rules, regulations, and expectations of society were met not only by him but also by his brother, sister, and his household. Why then would he do something as foolish as pull his gaze towards a bluestocking?
“I think I shall take my leave,” he said, abruptly. “There is much I must do. Though, Lady Amelia, I do hope that you do not have too many more questions for my brother and sister? This has been a difficult situation for them and though society speaks of it still, I should like to have it settled as soon as possible.”
It was as though a dark cloud had come to settle above her head, given the shadow that swept across her features. “But of course, Lord Broughton,” she said, coolly. “Good afternoon.”
Ignoring the glare from his sister and the frown from his brother, Leopold strode out of the room and out into the hallway, relieved to once more be in his own company. Yes, he had been curt and yes, he had taken her by surprise by his remarks but it was for the best. He had to put the greatest distance he could between them else, he feared, he might not only lose his heart but also his head, throwing away all that he had set in place for so many years.
And that, certainly, could not happen.
11
Amelia looked out of the window, pulling her knees up to her chest as she gazed out at the view. The gardens were quite beautiful and the warmth of the early afternoon sun brought out the colors quite vividly. And yet, despite that, her thoughts would not settle.
The conversation she had shared with Lady Anna, Lord Melford, Lady Gwendoline, and Lord Broughton had been on her mind for some three days now, niggling away at her and refusing to leave her alone. Something that Lord Melford had said was troubling her greatly but she could not quite work out what it was. More than that, however, Lord Broughton’s hasty departure from both the room and her company had been a surprise and, strangely enough, she had been unable to stop thinking about him either! Over and over, she had caught his eye and though he had not been smiling, she had sensed a change in his response towards her. No longer did he seem wary of her, no longer did he desire to pull his sister back from her company and she had felt herself blossom because of that. There had almost been a warmth there between them, something that she could feel growing with every passing moment… until he had changedin an instant, had risen to his feet, and practically stalked from the room.
It was all very strange for she could not understandwhyhe had done such a thing nor why it troubled her so greatly!
“Amelia?”
The door was pushed open a crack and Lady Isobella appeared in the doorway. “Isobella,” Amelia said quickly, turning to swing her legs down from the window seat. “Do come in.”
Her friend smiled. “The maid told me where I could find you. You have not forgotten our walk, I hope?”
Amelia blinked, then squeezed her eyes closed tightly. “Oh, goodness! I did quite forget, though it will only take me a few minutes to get ready.”
“That is quite all right.” Her friend’s smile did not fade. “You have been thinking about the missing books, I assume?”
“I have.” She hesitated, then looked down at the floor. “In truth, I have been thinking on my conversation with Lord Melford, Lady Anna, Lady Gwendoline, and – and Lord Broughton.” Seeing her friend look back at her curiously, Amelia hesitated, wondering inwardly if she ought to tell someone the truth about her struggle. Thinking to herself that it might be wise to do so in the hope that it would stop her thoughts from tormenting her so, she sat down and waited for Lady Isobella to do the same.
“If I tell you something, I must have you promise you will not speak of it to the others. Not until I am ready for it to be shared –ifI am ever ready to do so.”
Lady Isobella nodded. “But of course.”
“It is Lord Broughton,” Amelia said, speaking quickly as if she were afraid that if she did not, her courage would fail her. “Isobella, I have been fighting this strange… interest in him.Interest is not the right word, of course, but it is something that I find I cannot describe.”
Lady Isobella said nothing though she looked back at Amelia steadily, her expression unchanging.
“This conversation that I had with the others, though it is important and there is something about it that troubles my mind, I have Lord Broughton sitting there also. My thoughts are much too taken up with him, I fear and I do not know why. Nor do I know how to rid him from there!”
This, much to Amelia’s surprise, made Lady Isobella smile. “My dear friend, it sounds to me as though you are interested in Lord Broughton in an affectionate manner.”
“Affection?” Amelia laughed quickly and shook her head. “No, that cannot be it. We dislike each other intensely.”
“But you are drawn to him,” Lady Isobella said, softly. “When you look into his eyes, you find yourself lost there.” When he smiles at you, it is as though your heart explodes and then slowly begins to pull itself back together again.” Her eyes closed, a tenderness in her voice that Amelia had never heard before. “You are captured by him, even if you do not wish to be. Your mind is filled with thoughts of him because he is the only one who has stolen your interest in its entirety!” Her eyes opened and she looked straight back into Amelia’s eyes. “You may say that you dislike him, you might tell me that you do not evenwantto be in his company but I am afraid that your heart has other intentions, my dear.”
Amelia was silent for some moments, taking in all that her friend was suggesting and sensing a chill rippling over her skin. “I cannot quite bring myself to believe that.”
Lady Isobella shrugged. “I think it is quite all right to feel that way. It must be very strange and indeed, a little confusing but there is something there, Amelia. Something that would be worth pursuing, I think.”
“Pursuing?” Amelia croaked, closing her eyes. “I do not think that is even possible! He dislikes me just as much as I do him.”
“Exceptyouare the reason that he fell when he was dancing with Lady Gwendoline,” Lady Isobella said, quietly. “You may not believe that and mayhap I do not either, but the gentleman and the lady that helped Lady Gwendoline regain herself a little stated thatshehad said to them he was distracted by your presence on the dance floor.”
