Page 21 of War of the Wedding Wagers
But Amelia was concentrating more on Sir Frederick’s veiled admiration for Miss Playford than the actual words. Perhaps all she needed to do was to ensure the couple spent more time together. Miss Playford was very young, admittedly, but very sweet, and Sir Frederick obviously liked a pretty and accomplished young lady.
Perhaps Amelia just needed to coach Miss Playford on how to flatter Sir Frederick. Perhaps that was what was missing. Sir Frederick needed to be appreciated, and he was not going to get that kind of endorsement that would feed his vanity from Amelia.
Her attention was claimed by Sir Frederick. “So, ladies, is your footwear sturdy enough for a tramp in the grass which hopefully is not wet with dew although it is all but dark?”
“The full moon bathes everything in light. Going outside would be ever so exciting!” said Miss Playford. “And I would gladly sacrifice my slippers for such an adventure for I have another pair. Would we really go outside, Sir Frederick?”
“Outside?” Amelia gasped before Sir Frederick said, “You seemed more invested in your own thoughts than in finding the treasure, Miss Fairchild, for outside we must assuredly go if we are to solve the puzzle. What was it that so claimed your attention?”
As Miss Playford sent her an enquiring look and as Amelia clearly could not speak the truth she said, “I was thinking of poor Lady Pernilla’s tragic love story.”
“I’d imagine she’s far from the only young lady who’s unable to wed the man of her heart,” said Miss Playford with surprising equanimity. “So that’s not really tragic, is it? Not when her story isn’t special.”
“Good heavens, Miss Playford, that’s not very sentimental of you,” remarked Sir Frederick with a surprised laugh. “I thought I witnessed a secret tear when you read her love letter.”
“Yes, but I thought about it as we were making our way through the castle and tried to list the couples I could think of who’d made matches of the heart—or rather, ones that were happy—and that’s when I counseled myself to take a different approach.” Her more robust tone faltered a little. “You see, my aunt is forever telling me that I allow my foolish heart to rule my mind and that my vanity will feed me with unreasonable expectations. Especially since I have no dowry.” Her voice faltered. “She says a lady must learn to do what those who know better tell her, and to accept it with a good and pragmatic heart.” She gave a small laugh. “Sometimes I forget her strictures and it’s only when I have a few minutes of reflection that I remind myself.”
“So, you don’t believe in the love match?” asked Sir Frederick. “You do not know any couples who are happily wed?”
Miss Playford bit her lip as she shook her head.
“What about your parents?” asked Amelia before she could help herself.
“I don’t remember them very well,” said Miss Playford. “And my aunt was jilted at the altar so she doesn’t have a happy story.”
“You’ve not been to many dances or assemblies in the district?”
“Only one.”
“Cousins, friends, siblings?” asked Amelia, and when Miss Playford shook her head, she gasped, “Are you not lonely?”
Miss Playford frowned. “I had many friends at the Ladies’ Seminary I attended for the ten years until just a few months ago when my aunt decided to launch me. But books are my greatest friends. I cannot tell you how exciting it was to discover thelibrary here. In fact, as soon as my aunt is asleep, I shall creep downstairs and spend the whole night reading.”
Amelia and Sir Frederick exchanged glances and Amelia found she was regarding Miss Playford in a very different light. She smiled. “I hope you are transported to wondrous new worlds, in that case,” she said.
“Yes, for even going outside during the night is an adventure!” exclaimed Miss Playford, leading the way towards the door. “Come along! I’m sure we are ahead and are going to win!”
Chapter Thirteen
Amelia was alittle concerned by the dampness of the grass but only because her packing had left something to be desired. She really ought to have paid more attention to the possibilities of a weekend away such as this, but she’d been so caught up in matchmaking Sir Frederick with someone blonde and petite that she’d not paid too much thought to her own style and clothing choices other than the requisite costume for the ghost party they were currently undertaking.
So, she therefore lagged a little as Miss Playford strode ahead with Sir Frederick just behind her. He stopped and turned to see what was holding Amelia up and when he saw she was picking her way delicately through the grass, demanded, “Surely you’ve brought more than one pair of dancing slippers with you, Miss Fairchild? My apologies, I thought you’d agreed your footwear was sufficiently sturdy and not some exquisite confection of silk and satin likely to be ruined on the grass. You did not strike me as that kind of young lady.”
“I don’t know what kind of young lady I strike you as, Sir Frederick, but no, I do not have another pair of slippers and nor can I outlay upon another pair if these are to be ruined.”
“Then allow me to rectify the problem for the last ten yards to the maze where the gravel paths are of the finest sand and represent less of a threat,” he said, striding back to where she was and scooping her up into his arms.
Amelia squeaked in shock, covering her mouth so as not to attract Miss Playford’s attention. “You really have no need, Sir Frederick,” she whispered. “This is highly improper.”
“Is it? Why? I’m serving a purely practical purpose.”
Amelia was unable to reply. She’d never felt a strong manly chest against her cheek since Thomas had died, and she’d not expected she ever would.
She’d certainly not expected to feel anything other than embarrassed outrage at the experience but even more embarrassing and disconcerting was that what she felt sent thrills through her whole body.
And even more dismaying than that was her sense of loss when he put her down and strode onwards to catch up with Miss Playford.
So, he really was being only gentlemanly? It’s what she should hope for, she thought, as she hurried to keep up with the other two who were navigating the maze. She really didn’t want to get lost and find herself marooned in the dark.
