Page 28 of War of the Wedding Wagers
His clear self-congratulation and the pompous way he phrased his question really irked Amelia, so she was glad there was little chance to offer more than a simple affirmation before she was required to perform a do-si-do to the side, returning a few seconds later at which point she decided to change the subject, saying, “And I couldn’t help observing how greatly Miss Caroline appeared to be enjoying herself. Her brother was part of our investigative team, and he told us all about the plans she has for her future.” Amelia smiled ingenuously. She was not surprised at the stiffness of his response.
“Indeed, Miss Caroline has told me all about her future with her very own lips.” He looked smug. “She happened to be in my investigative team.”
Amelia nodded, smiling. “Yes, a charming young lady I thought when I met her, with much in common to discuss regarding the peculiar difficulties of our respective futures.”
Mr. Greene sent her a condescending look that showed his skepticism at Amelia’s comment. But as he was clearly as impatient a man as Amelia had pegged him, he finally said, with clear reluctance at having to ask, “And what do the pair of you have in common?”
Amelia responded as if she’d even forgotten her remark, saying, “Oh, just the frustration of not being able to wed before we are twenty-five, unless our future husband is prepared to wait that long for a dowry or inheritance. It is simply vexatious the number of husbands whose interest suddenly dissipates at such a revelation.”
And then their partnership was at an end and suddenly Amelia found herself once again in close proximity with Sir Frederick as they waited to perform a figure with the person beside them.
There was just enough time for Sir Frederick to remark with a frown, “You look surprisingly pleased with yourself. And after such a coze with Mr. Greene, I couldn’t help but notice.”
“Could you not?” Amelia asked, grinning. “That is because I planted a seed that I think will make him regard your sister in a slightly different light.”
“You did?”
“I said that the pair of us had been commiserating at the sudden loss of interest shown in us by eligible gentlemen upon learning we come without dowry or inheritance before we are twenty-five.”
Sir Frederick’s grin turned to a rueful smile. “If only that were true. In Caro’s case, at least. I gather it is true for you, and I’m sorry that it has caused you angst.”
“Not in the slightest. I had no desire to wed after losing my Thomas. And already I’m what most gentlemen would call ‘long in the tooth’. My marriageable days are over, Sir Frederick, and do I rue the fact?” She shrugged. “I do not. But as for Caro, I hope that will give Mr. Greene pause.”
“He will soon learn that you have misled him.”
“Eventually. But if he withdraws interest in Caro, and she learns the truth, she’ll know he was only after her money.”
Amelia didn’t get the chance to see his response, for suddenly she was claimed by her next partner. Nor did she see Sir Frederick for the rest of the set and it was only as she was glancing about the emptying ballroom, surprised that the time had gone so fast and she had enjoyed herself so much, that she observed Caroline by the doors to the tower room, half hidden by a large vase festooned with flowers.
At first Amelia thought the girl was admiring the floral magnificence before she realized that Caroline was weeping piteous tears, which she was trying to hide from her chaperone,who stood a few feet away, apparently quite oblivious as she gossiped with some other matrons.
“Caro, what has happened? Shall I fetch your brother?” Amelia asked, concerned, as she sidled up to the girl.
But Caro shook her head vehemently. “Don’t tell Freddy!” she said. “He’ll be too happy, I know. He doesn’t like Mr. Greene and would do anything to part us but, oh, that has already happened, and my heart feels like it has been torn from my breast. I don’t know how I’ll ever be happy again.”
“He’s withdrawn his interest?” Amelia asked hopefully, while trying hard not to sound gleeful. “I’m so sorry. What did he say?”
Caro shrugged. “He just hinted that perhaps we were not as suited as he had thought and perhaps it would be kinder of him to allow me to lose my heart to someone else since he might be adventuring abroad shortly.”
Amelia patted the girl’s shoulder. “My poor Caro. I, too, know the pain of a broken heart, but believe me, the pain does ease.”
To her surprise, she realized as she said these words that indeed the pain did ease. In fact, the last few hours she’d barely felt pain during any moment of reflection that included Thomas. No, she’d been thinking too much about Sir Frederick.
That is, about matching him with someone else, she reminded herself quickly, turning unconsciously to scan the room for a glimpse of him and blushing when her gaze alighted upon him across the room at exactly the moment he turned and locked eyes with her.
Immediately, he nodded to his companion to terminate their conversation and strode across the dance floor, his smile turning to one of concern as he asked his sister for the cause of her distress.
Since Amelia knew Caroline was not going to reveal the truth, she said ingenuously, “Poor Caro had formed atendrefor agentleman who hinted he might be going abroad shortly when she was so certain he harbored feelings for her.”
“My poor Caro,” said Sir Frederick, giving his sister’s shoulder a sympathetic pat while his grin over the top of the young girl’s head revealed his delight.
“A good night’s sleep will have you feeling far more yourself, my dear,” said Sir Frederick, taking her hand and caging it on his sleeve. “I think it’s time to hand you over to your chaperone. I’m sure that a good night’s sleep is all you need to be feeling a great deal better about the future.”
*
The dancing hadfinished by 3 a.m. and Amelia trailed off to bed thinking that she’d fall into an immediate slumber. Strangely, however, she was too wound-up to sleep. It seemed she’d only just closed her eyes when she was roused at a ridiculously early hour by insistent rapping upon her door.
“Well, sis, you solved the puzzle and won yourself some treasure, but I’m here to tell you the match-making with Sir Frederick is off to a wonderful start!” It was her brother, looking ridiculously perky for this time of the morning. He strode into the room and immediately settled himself in the single armchair, his long legs stretched out in front of him. “You voiced concerns last night that Miss Playford was too young and innocent for Sir Frederick’s liking… Well, I saw him deep in conversation with Mrs. Perry. In fact, I could barely sleep for thinking of how deeply in conversation the pair of them were.”
