Page 2 of The Missing Book
“Do?” Leopold frowned, frustrated now that Anna had gone to her brother with her complaint. “I did nothing whatsoever!”
“You did not criticize her gown? Did not tell her that her hair needed to be a little adjusted? Or did you state that her lady’s maid had chosen poorly when it came to her necklace?”
Not a single flicker of shame pushed itself into Leopold’s heart. “No, I did none of those things but if I had, it would have been done with the very best of intentions. As all of my concerns are.”
This did not bring his brother any sort of relief, for he only rolled his eyes, let out a groan of exasperation and turned away.
“Quite how you are to find a bride this Season, I cannot imagine,” he threw back over his shoulder, as Leopold hurried after him towards the front of the house. “You will never be able to find someone suitable for you, I am quite sure.”
“Nonsense,” Leopold answered, quickly. “I am certain there will be a great many young ladies present that I will be able to deem suitable. Besides, I am not there for myself alone. My primary concern will be Anna.”
“Though no doubt, you will find bothersome things about whichever gentlemen approach you abouther,” Melford muttered, as they approached the carriage. “Now, might I advise you not to speak to Anna as we drive to the house? It would be best, given her present state of mind.”
Leopold wanted to state that he had done nothing wrong and would be more than happy to explain that all to Anna but, seeing the sharp look his brother sent him, chose to do just as he asked. It was not often that he deigned to his younger brother but Leopold had to admit that Melford did seem to understand Anna a good deal more than he did. In addition, the angry look that Anna shot at him as he climbed into the carriage was enough to convince Leopold that he ought to remain silent, if only to prevent another argument.
I shall be able to find a suitable bride,he told himself as the carriage rolled away.In that, I am certain there will be no difficulty whatsoever.
1
Sighing to herself, Amelia looked down at her clasped hands and wished desperately that she could have taken her book with her. This soiree was one of the dullest she had ever attended and, to her mind, this time could have been spent a good deal better.
“Your father is looking at you.”
A whisper caught her attention as she lifted her head.
“You had best smile,” her friend continued, nudging her. “Or at the very least, look as though you are enjoying the conversation.”
“I thank you,” she murmured, realizing that she had been so bored by the conversation, she had not even noticed Lady Rosalyn joining her. “Goodness, I have never heard such tedious remarks, I do not think!”
Lady Rosalyn hid a smile, glancing to the others around them and then looking back to Amelia. “Then why do we not take our leave?”
Amelia rolled her eyes. “I cannot,” she whispered back. “My brother is here. He is expecting me to stay.”
It was more than that, Amelia knew. It was not only that her brother thought she might stay present and listen to the conversation, it was that he hoped she might be of interest to one or two of the gentlemen present. Given that they were all speaking on their present stocks and investments, Amelia was quite sure that none of them would be of interest toherthough that did not seem to matter to her brother.
“He is meant to be looking for his own bride,” she continued, still keeping her voice low as the gentlemen laughed at something her brother had said. “I do not know why I am here!”
Lady Rosalyn grinned, her eyes dancing before, with that smile still on her face, she turned to Amelia’s brother and spoke directly to him. “Good evening, Lord Thane. I do hope you will not mind if I steal your sister away for a short while. We are such dear friends and I confess there is so very much I should like to speak with her about this evening.”
Amelia could not help but beam with delight as her brother glanced first at her and then back to Lady Rosalyn. Her friend had chosen to be bold, to interrupt a conversation so that she might rescue Amelia from them and it seemed that boldness was to be repaid.
“Good evening, Lady Rosalyn.” Lord Thane dropped into a quick bow, then offered a smile which did not lift into his eyes. “If you must, then of course.”
“Ithankyou,” Lady Rosalyn said, with the warmest of smiles on her face. “You are so very kind, Lord Thane. Do excuse us.”
With that delighted smile still on her face, Amelia let her friend lead her away. She did not break into a squeal of delight until they were far enough out of earshot for them to hear her, slipping her arm through her friend’s. “Oh thank you! You cannot know how much I had to restrain myself.”
“I can imagine just how difficult that was for you,” Lady Rosalyn answered with a chuckle. “Either you will have beeneager to say something – either to correct them or to be a part of the conversation – or you will have been frustrated with just how little substance there was to all they said!”
Amelia laughed ruefully. “On this occasion, it was the latter.” Sighing, she shook her head. “Can gentlemen truly think of nothing other than their wealth and how to increase it? There are so many other things that they could speak of, so many wonderful things that they could learn if only they took their mind off their coin!”
Lady Rosalyn nodded. “I quite agree. That is why I am grateful that Lord Waverley is not particularly wealthy, for he is not at all inclined towards such conversation. Yes, he wants to keep us in good standing and in comfort once we are wed, but he has no great desire to become the wealthiest gentleman in all of London as, it seemed, so many ofthemwish to be.”
Amelia felt herself relaxing, her shoulders dropping a little as she walked through the drawing room and into the hallway. “Indeed. I am very grateful for your interruption, Rosalyn. My brother told me to join him for he wanted me to be introduced to a few individuals, though quite why he thought any of them would be interested in me, I cannot imagine! Once they learn that I am a bluestocking, I am quite certain they will turn their back on me directly.” She said this without even the smallest hint of upset or concern, knowing full well that the majority of society did not approve of her bluestocking ways. Even her own father and brother – both of whom were here with her in London – did not approve of it, though her mother had insisted that Amelia do just as she please. Her mother had also once been considered a bluestocking and had brought Amelia up to love reading and learning just as she did, so it was not as though Amelia’s father, the Marquess of Shrewsbury, could do anything to complain!
“Indeed, though you may be just as fortunate as I and Judith and find a gentleman who cares for you regardless,” LadyRosalyn said, with a small smile, her cheeks warming. “Your brother and father may soon be quite contented for you will be engaged and happy – and then, their duty is at an end!”
Amelia laughed out loud at this. “As much as I might hope for this, my father isquitedetermined that I shall marry a very specific type of gentleman. I highly doubt that such a gentleman would be delighted in having a bluestocking for a wife!”
