Page 9 of The Missing Book
“I think, brother, that you have to follow after me rather than expect me to stand with you,” Lady Anna interrupted, speaking a little more firmly than Amelia had anticipated, making her eyebrows lift. “I am the one seeking to make a match, am I not? Your responsibility is to make certain I am well known in society so I have the best chance of making a good match. Is that notso?” Her eyebrow arched as she shook off his hand. “And if it is, one must wonder why you are complaining thatIam in the wrong?”
Amelia did not know what to do, feeling a little uncomfortable at the conversation unfolding in front of her. As far as she was concerned, such remarks ought to be shared in private rather than at a gathering such as this. Though, at the very same time, she did find herself agreeing with Lady Anna. Her brother ought to be followingherto make sure she was doing well rather than expecting her to stand quietly beside him as he made his way about the ballroom.
“Anna, I think – ”
“We have not been introduced.” Interrupting the gentleman before he could begin to berate his sister again, Amelia smiled quickly. “You are Lord Broughton, yes?”
The gentleman finally lifted his gaze to hers and Amelia’s breath hitched. Goodness, he was handsome! With brown eyes that looked straight back into hers, a shock of dark hair, and a firm mouth, she found herself a little transfixed. He was taller than his sister by a full head and a half, and his shoulders were broad though his countenance appeared a little severe.
“We are not acquainted and yet you are aware of my title.” This was said with a slight curtness that took the sensation of surprise away from Amelia rather quickly. “I think it would be best if we were formally introduced.” His gaze went away from Amelia and around the group. “To you all.”
Amelia looked away, disliking her reaction to the gentleman. At the first, she had been a little taken aback by his handsome face, only now to think him a little… disagreeable. She ought not to have noticed his good looks, she told herself. That was not like her at all!
“I shall make the introduction, shall I?” Lady Anna smiled though there was a hesitancy in her voice which Amelia wanted to quickly reassure. “Then might you, thereafter…?”
“Yes, of course.” Seeing what Lady Anna meant, Amelia nodded. “I shall introduce my friends.”
Lady Anna’s smile was wider now, clearly relieved. “I thank you.” She gestured to her brother. “Brother, this is Lady Amelia. Her father is the Marquess of Shrewsbury.” She smiled and then dropped her hand. “Lady Amelia, this is my brother, the Earl of Broughton.”
“How very good to make your acquaintance,” Amelia murmured, dropping into a curtsy just as she ought though the bow that Lord Broughton returned to her was short and sharp. “I am sure that – ”
“Did you say that your father is the Marquess of Shrewsbury?”
Amelia nodded, a frown threatening. “Yes, she did,” she responded, though the question had been directed to Lady Anna. “Why?”
Lord Broughton looked back at her without hesitation or apology on his lips. “You spoke to Lord Trafalgar recently, I understand.”
Heat hit Amelia’s cheeks in an instant. “Yes, I did. Though I am mortified to hear just how that has captured the attention of theton.There is no need for such attention to be given.”
“Indeed.” Lord Broughton’s lip curled just a little. “I thought it somewhat improper, truth be told. And,” he continued before Amelia could respond, “I hear that you are a bluestocking?”
The way that he asked that particular question made Amelia’s stomach twist. It was clear to her that this gentleman did not think particularly highly of bluestockings given the way his brown eyes darkened as she nodded.
“I see. Then there is no need for further introductions, as I presume you all are part of this ‘bluestocking book club’ that I have heard about,” he said, with a sharpness to his tone that made Amelia’s frown. “I must insist that my sister does not further her acquaintance with any of you.”
“I beg your pardon?”
This time, Amelia was not the first to speak. Instead, it was Miss Trentworth, who came over directly towards the gentleman, coming to stand next to Amelia.
“Was I unclear?” the gentleman responded, with a lift of his chin. “I think bluestockings are most improper young ladies and I do not wish for my sister to have any close acquaintances with any of you. I am sure you can all understand.”
“No, I cannot,” Miss Trentworth said, as Amelia looked only to Lady Anna, seeing the horrified, wide-eyed expression on her face and realizing that the lady had not ever heard her brother say such things before. “There is nothing wrong with a lady eager to learn all that she can.”
“There most certainly is not,” Amelia agreed quickly. “Why should a gentleman be the only one permitted to read as much as he wishes? Why should a gentleman be the only one with an engaged mind?”
Lord Broughton drew himself up, pinning her with a fierce gaze. “You will find, Lady Amelia, that I am not required to give you an explanation and therefore, shall not do so. Now, if you will excuse me.”
He stepped away, clearly expecting his sister to follow him though, much to Amelia’s amusement, she did not. Instead, she took Lady Gwendoline’s arm and stood exactly where she was, though Lady Gwendoline’s mouth opened and then closed again, her eyes going to Lord Broughton as though she feared he would reprimand them both!
“I am not in the same mind as my brother,” Lady Anna said, clearly. “I can only apologize for his ill manner and his rudeness. I do hope that you will forgive him for that.”
Amelia smiled at once, hoping that it would set the lady at ease. “Please, do not concern yourself.”
“Anna!” Lord Broughton marched back towards his sister, his face red now. “I told you that – ”
“You actually said, ‘If you will excuse me’,” Amelia interrupted, unable to help herself. The gentleman had riled her and, truth be told, she wanted very much to defend Anna as best she could. The lady was clearly embarrassed by her brother’s remarks and Amelia’s heart went out to her. “You did not tell your sister that she had to make her way with you.”
Lord Broughton’s face turned scarlet as he sent a furious look towards Amelia. Amelia, however, only lifted one eyebrow but did not say anything, as Miss Trentworth narrowed her gaze back at him in response.
