Page 4 of The Missing Book
“It is easy enough to call a gentleman a fool when he is not present,” Lord Albury said, a good deal more softly now though the threat in his voice remained very clear indeed. “Though it seems it is easy enough for you to insult a lady even whensheis present! That, as Lady Amelia has said, says a good deal more about your character than anything else. So if you wish to insult me, might I suggest you do it now, at this very moment? At least then, I will have opportunity to respond.”
Amelia held Lord Trafalgar’s gaze, seeing how anger glittered in his eyes. Another look towards Lord Albury, however, and that anger began to seep away.
“Do excuse me.”
The fury that had begun to dampen in Amelia’s heart roared back to life as Lord Trafalgar did not so much as acknowledge Lord Albury’s remarks. Instead, he simply threw out that statement and then stepped around the gentleman, leaving her burning hot with ire.
“Howdarehe!” she exclaimed, though the sound of that was drowned out by the sheer number of guests talking about all they had just witnessed. “I cannot believe that he would ignore you in that way, Lord Albury! He is the most – ”
“The most ignorant, rude, and disagreeable fellow,” Lady Rosalyn broke in, grasping Amelia’s hand. “Thank you for what you said, Amelia. I know that must have taken a great deal of courage.”
Wincing, Amelia managed a rueful smile, her fury slowly dissipating given the paleness of her friend’s cheeks. “It was not courage that had me speak so. I was angry,” she admitted, honestly. “Angry for you, that anyone should dare to speak to you and of you in that manner.”
“And I know Lord Waverley will be furious,” Lord Albury added, his face flushed though his tone was measured. “He will want to make sure you are quite well, I am sure, but no doubt he will have words with Lord Trafalgar when he next sees him. As will I, for that was an unfinished conversation.”
“Amelia, whatever do you think you are doing?”
Before Amelia could respond to Lord Albury, her brother grasped her arm a little roughly, his eyes wide but his jaw tight.
“Brother.” Shaking off his hand, she stood tall, seeing him glance towards Lord Albury. “What is the matter?”
Lord Melford closed his eyes and let out a slow hiss of breath, evidently attempting to compose himself before he responded. “Did you not think before you spoke?”
“I thought she spoke rather well,” Lord Albury said, mildly. “Indeed, I expected you would be very proud of your sister for standing up for not only her friend but also for Lord Waverley also.”
This gave Amelia’s brother pause, for which she was rather glad. He bit his lip, looked away, and then shook his head.
“I did not do anything wrong, Melford,” Amelia said, steadily. “What is there for you to complain about?”
“You told everyone within this room that you are a bluestocking!” Throwing up his hands, her brother looked back at her, wide-eyed. “Did you not understand when I told younotto speak of that?”
At this, Amelia rolled her eyes, trying to ignore the stab of pain that struck at her heart. “You know very well that it is not something I am willing to hide, Melford. I might stand beside you for a conversation or two but I shall never set that part of myself aside and pretend it does not exist.”
Her brother let out a groan and threw his head back before looking at her again. “I wanted you to make a good impression upon those gentlemen. None of them will look at you now!”
“I care nothing for that,” Amelia answered fiercely, hating that there were hot tears in her eyes now. “You and father have made it very plain that you do not want me to be as I am but as mother and I have told you both, being a bluestocking is who I am and I shall not hide it away. Any gentleman who has an interest in me must accept that my love of reading, learning, and studying is an integral part of my nature.”
Her brother ran one hand down his face. “Then you will soon discover that no gentlemen are willing to look at you with anyseriousness, Amelia. No gentleman with any salt wants to marry a bluestocking!”
“Might I interject?” Lord Albury put one hand on Lord Melford’s shoulder. “You are mistaken in that statement, my friend.” The warning tone was back and Amelia could not help the tiny smile which flicked across her mouth at the way her brother quickly shrank back.
“I – I suppose I spoke hastily.”
“You did.” Lord Albury was not in the least bit intimidating, Amelia thought, but the severity of his gaze, the weight of his brow, and the finality with which he spoke gave her brother no room for argument. “In case you have forgotten, I have found myself in love with a bluestocking and Lord Waverley would say the same. You are wrong to suggest that no gentleman of quality would consider Amelia. I should say quite the opposite.” His hand lifted from Lord Melford’s shoulder though he threw Amelia a smile. “A gentleman shows the quality of his character byconsideringa bluestocking rather than rejecting her, as I hope I have done.”
“You most certainly have,” Lady Rosalyn said, her arm looping through Amelia’s. “And I am sure that Amelia will soon find a gentleman worthy of her very soon. All it takes is time.”
Much to Amelia’s relief, it appeared that her brother had no response to give. With only a nod, he turned his slumped shoulders and walked away from them, leaving Amelia to smile at Lord Albury and Lady Rosalyn. “I thank you both for your defense of me.”
“It was only a little thing, given what you have done for me!” Lady Rosalyn exclaimed as Lord Albury nodded. “And I quite believe it, Amelia.” She looked straight into Amelia’s face, sending a streak of hope into her heart. “You will find a good match, just as I have done.”
“I hope so,” Amelia murmured, as Lord Albury handed them both a glass of champagne. “Despite the difficulties my brother and my father present, I must pray that it will be as you say.”
2
Chewing on the edge of his lip, Leopold considered his drawing room. It was the first time he had returned to London since the passing of his father and now that this house was his, he had every intention of making it his own.
Though something here was not quite right.
