Scandalous Endeavors (Ladies and Scoundrels Book 1) (17 page)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Amelia settled into
the carriage prepared for another day of travel with her bothersome yet polite companions. After spending two long days with the siblings and their endless chatter, she would be elated to arrive back at Abernathy House this evening. A part of her felt remorseful for being hard on the siblings, nonetheless, the fact remained she wasn’t enjoying their company.

She turned to Lord Shillington. “Do you think we might arrive in time for the evening meal?”

Lady Jane tipped her head to one side, eyeing her brother. “I hope so. I have had all I can stand of this carriage.”

“I feel confident in saying we will be back in London for the evening meal, ladies. If you would like, we might even stop for a picnic lunch. We have plenty of time if it would please you.” He stared directly into Amelia’s eyes as he finished his statement.

“Oh no, that would not please me in the least. I do not wish to do anything that will delay our arrival.” Her curls bounced as she shook her head.

“I assure you we are running ahead of schedule. Stopping will not delay our arrival by more than an hour. We will still make London well before sunset.” Lord Shillington tipped his chin toward the window.

Lady Jane looked at Amelia as Lord Shillington glanced between her and his sister. “I agree with Lady Jane. Let us lunch in the carriage as we did the previous days.” She exhaled a sigh of relief when his stare moved from her back to his sister.

A frown pulled at his lips. “Who am I to argue with the desires of two ladies? The carriage it shall be.”

Lady Jane fanned herself. “Oh, how you do carry on, dear brother.”

Amelia rolled her eyes heavenward then commenced to staring out the small carriage window. This journey could not end soon enough. She longed for the companionship of Grace and Sarah, though she had little idea how she would explain herself to them. Surely they would be surprised when she told them she now wished to follow Uncle Lewis’s orders.

“I hear you have closed up Everthorne and sent most of your servants away,” Lady Jane said.

Lord Shillington turned his head so he once again stared at Amelia. “Do you intend to stay under her grace’s chaperonage until you marry?”

She preferred it when the gossip did not center around her. All the same she directed a smile at him. They came easier now that her broken heart was walled in by sheer will.

How dare the duke walk away from her and speak to others about her as though she were a burden. Once again treating her like a common tart. She would be better off without him, and being on a different continent would ensure they did not meet again.

She drew in a breath before answering their questions. “I intend to go to America and stay with my Uncle Lewis. I am scheduled to board a ship in three days’ time.”

Lord Shillington’s jaw slackened. He had no doubt been taken by surprise. His mouth snapped shut as he regained his composure. “How long do you intend to stay there?”

Amelia glanced over at Lady Jane before, directing her attention back to Lord Shillington’s studying gaze. “Two years. At that time I will have reached the age of majority and will return to Everthorne.”

Jane unfolded her hands and began fiddling with her skirt. “America sounds like a wonderful adventure, but two years is a very long time. Are you excited?” She studied Amelia while she waited on an answer, a large grin plastered on her lips.

“Not excited exactly, but I am looking forward to it. I realize I have no choice. Uncle Lewis is my guardian, and so I must go where he is.” Amelia smoothed her skirt, not at all certain she believed her own words. “Surely it will not be that bad. I will attend parties and make friends. Plus, I will learn about America firsthand. Uncle Lewis owns a large plantation, so I will have room to ride and stroll on his grounds.” She intended for her words to convince herself more than anyone else. She still did not want to go to America, but more importantly, she did not want to marry a random lord.

“It does sound splendid,” Lady Jane agreed.

Lord Shillington exhaled loudly. “I dare say, I do not want you to go, but I see you have no choice in the matter.” He rubbed his palm across his cheek, anxiety visible in his gaze.

“I will miss you as well, but it is a wonderful opportunity. I wish I could travel to new places, just not by carriage.” Lady Jane’s flighty laughter filled the space.

The next several hours were spent listening to Lady Jane daydream aloud about the places she wished to visit.

As Lord Shillington had promised, the sights of London became visible through the carriage window while the sun still hovered high in the sky. Soon, the busy streets of London surrounded her, and her senses became invigorated with familiar sounds and smells. People rushed up and down the street and the calls of vendors filled her ears as they continued through London’s streets tucked safely away in the carriage.

Lady Jane clapped her hands together. “Thank goodness we are back! It seemed like an eternity.” She smiled at Amelia. “We will take you straight to Abernathy House. I imagine you cannot wait to escape this contraption.” She turned in her brother’s direction.

Lord Shillington nodded. “Yes, I think it is safe to say we have all had enough traveling to last us for weeks.”

Amelia agreed whole heartedly. “Thank you.”

Lord Shillington insisted on walking her in once they arrived at Abernathy House. She tried to assure him it was not necessary, but he refused to hear any of it. The duchess’s butler opened the door as Amelia approached, her hand tucked under Lord Shillington’s arm, before bowing and taking her reticule. “Her Grace is in the drawing room. I will announce you at once.”

“Very well.” Lord Shillington handed the butler his calling card.

Amelia glanced furtively at Lord Shillington. “Thank you for your chivalry, but I will be perfectly fine from here. I am sure Lady Jane would prefer not to be kept waiting.” She grinned hopefully.

He shook his head gently from one side to the other before his gaze locked with hers. “I know you are capable, Lady Amelia, but I would feel better if I spoke to her grace before leaving. Lady Jane will be fine for a few more minutes.” He offered his arm. “Shall we?”

She gracefully accepted, allowing him to guide her into the drawing room. Grace beamed a welcoming smile as they entered before standing and coming to Amelia’s side. She placed a kiss on her cheek before turning to Lord Shillington. “I would like to thank you for taking care of Lady Amelia.”

“That is not necessary. I am always happy to help.” He glanced back at her, grinning.

“All the same, I am grateful for your assistance.”

“Your Grace, it was truly an honor.” Lord Shillington nodded slightly toward the door. “And now I must take my leave.” He bowed to the duchess before turning to saunter from the room.

Without speaking, Grace returned to her seat and motioned for Amelia to join her. She did as directed, her pulse quickening in anticipation of what the duchess might say. The sound of the main door clicking closed reached her ears just before Grace spoke.

“How is it you wound up traveling across the countryside with my nephew?” Grace looked at her pointedly.

Amelia swallowed back a lump in her throat. “I received news of Lord Roseington’s engagement, as well as a letter from Uncle Lewis.” She frowned. “I was already upset about how my plans continued to fail and felt rather hopeless after hearing about the engagement. Then when I read in Uncle Lewis’s letter that he had arranged passage for me, and I would be departing several days before the original agreement, I sank into despair.” She paused, taking in a deep breath.

Grace nodded quizzically. “Go on, dear, tell me all of it.”

A blush crept across her face at what she would and would not be sharing. “I could not think and I did not know what to do or where to turn. I acted foolishly when I ran from the house, and more so when I raced out of London.” She looked up from her lap, directing her gaze to meet Grace’s. “I had no idea where I would go, but knew I needed to get away. After taking a nap in the woods north of town, I decided I should go to Everthorne.”

Grace covered her heart with one delicately gloved hand. “Surely you jest; you did not sleep in the woods!”

“I assure you, it is not a jest. A rider scared me off the road. I thought it might be a member of the ton and did not want to be discovered. Once I left the road, I decided it would be better if I rested a while and waited for the road to clear.”

“There is little doubt you acted foolishly, but bravely as well. What happened next?” Grace leaned toward Amelia.

“After my nap I started on my way to Everthorne, feeling quite confident that going home would provide me with the clarity I desired.” Amelia played with a fold in her skirt. “After traveling several miles unnoticed, another rider approached and again I tried to run. Only this time, I did not get away.”

Grace’s eyes remained riveted on Amelia as she drank in the tale.

Amelia continued. “It was the Duke of Goldstone, and he demanded I go with him. A storm approached, making it imperative for us to find shelter.” Heat spread across her chest and rose onto her face as she continued, “Everthorne was but a short distance, so we continued there and spent the night.”

Grace smiled reassuringly. “I believe I know the rest. My nephew sent me a letter, informing me of the fact he had little choice but to take you with him until he could find a proper chaperone to bring you home.”

Amelia nodded. “That is correct. The duke ran into Lord Shillington in Sheffield, and arranged for him and Lady Jane to escort me back to London.”

Grace stood up and moved to the window. “It sounds like quite the adventure, dear.”

“It certainly was. I imagine all of London is gossiping about me now.” It did not matter to her if they were. She would soon be gone from London at any rate.

Grace moved to stand beside her. “If they knew about your adventure, I am sure they would be. Alas, no one other than Lady Sarah noticed your absence. She would not gossip about you. I am also quite certain my nephew instructed Lady Jane and Lord Shillington to keep private matters quiet. It would be imprudent to go against the wishes of a duke. The Shillington’s are not so foolish as to ignore a direct order from the Duke of Goldstone. That leaves only me, and I would never spread your secrets.” She patted Amelia’s shoulder.

Amelia folded her hands in her lap. “It doesn’t signify. I do not care if all of London finds me out. I will not be around to suffer for it much longer.”

Grace’s warm brown gaze met with hers. “Have you given up altogether? There is still time to find a husband. I can host another party, or appeal to Mr. Lewis for more time.”

She smiled at her grace’s enthusiasm. “It isn’t necessary. I have decided a loveless marriage is not for me. It seems best for me to accept my fate rather than fight it.”

Grace grinned warmly and tipped her chin up. “Lord knows I am grateful for the love I shared with my duke. I do hope you find a love match of your own someday.” She sighed before focusing on Amelia. “My nephew would not have anything to do with your change of heart, would he?”

Amelia folded her hands nervously, all the while hoping her expression would not betray her. “Of course not, that is preposterous. All the time I spent in thought changed my mind.” She breathed a sigh of relief when Grace appeared satisfied with her answer.

“Very well then, dear, I give you my blessing.”

* * * *

Amelia played with a loose tendril of hair as she stared into the mirror. “You will need to pack all of my mourning weeds, but do not waste space on my normal gowns. I will order a new American wardrobe once my time of mourning is past.” She spun around to face Edna. “As for my other effects, only pack what is here at Abernathy House.”

Edna threw a smile over her shoulder as she continued placing items from Amelia’s wardrobe into a trunk. “Are you quite certain you do not wish to have any items from Everthorne?”

“I have no intention of becoming comfortable in America; it will not become my home. Nor do I wish to travel heavy. One trunk and my valise will be plenty.” She stood and traipsed to the door. “See that everything is in order by sundown. It simply will not do to be scrambling about in the morning.”

Edna stopped her task and stood, her eyes leveled on Amelia. “I am glad you reconsidered the move. I know it was not easy for you.” Her lips lifted in a glorious curve. “Might you also reconsider and allow me to retrieve a few items from Everthorne? Perhaps a miniature of your parents, or their wedding bands? I can hardly stand the idea of leaving it all behind.”

Amelia closed her eyes. “Very well, but see that everything fits in one trunk.”

She slipped out the door and down the hall before Edna could make any more requests that she did not have the energy to deal with. It would not benefit her to concentrate on what she would be leaving behind; rather, her focus needed to remain fixed on what must be done. Otherwise her courage and composure would be lost.

Her emotions were as finicky as a summer storm churning over the sea. Sobs racked her body this morning with regret for the mess she had made of things. Then anger rode in and replaced the sorrow. She set her lips in a tight line and straightened her back as she remembered how the duke abandoned her. She would not shed another tear over the blackguard. Now with her resolve firmly in place, she found comfort in the fact she would soon be on a different continent.