Scandalous Endeavors (Ladies and Scoundrels Book 1) (4 page)

Amelia closed her eyes and inhaled the fresh morning air. “I have always been rather fond of spring. It is the season of rebirth. The only time of year we get to witness daily miracles.”

Her gaze drifted in the direction of the garden, where most of the flowers bloomed with new life. The forsythia and daffodils were on full display among the many other garden flowers. A rainbow of petals floated above fresh green shoots. She longed to stroll among them.

“I have always had a knack for losing myself in gardens. There is just something about nature that draws me in.”

The duchess chuckled and placed her arm around Amelia’s shoulders. “How very right you are, my dear. Let us go in and prepare for Lady Sarah’s visit. I have invited her to have tea, and suspect she will be arriving shortly.”

Amelia grinned and allowed Grace to guide her back into the house. The gentle rustle of their skirts filled her ears. “That is splendid. I can hardly wait to discuss my plan. I have thought of little else all week.”

Her butler, Edwin, opened the door as they approached.

“Please have the drawing room set up for afternoon tea. Lady Sarah will be joining us,” Amelia said as they passed through into the foyer.

He nodded, closing the heavy door.

Amelia pulled off her plain black shawl. She had already become sick of the color. It only served as a reminder of all she had lost, increasing her sadness every time she saw it. Tears threatened, and Amelia took a deep breath, fighting them back.

Grace handed her shawl to the butler. “Please inform the staff that I will be taking Lady Amelia to Abernathy House after tea. Have her maid complete any packing that still needs to be done.”

“As you wish, Your Grace.”

Amelia handed Edwin her shawl, then proceeded up the curved mahogany staircase. She needed to prepare for afternoon tea, and more importantly, for her future.

* * * *

At Grace’s request, Amelia worked the cool ivory keys of the piano, when Sarah’s charming voice joined in.

“Look out upon the stars, my love, and shame them with thine eyes...”

She played on as Sarah sang each word perfectly. Her delicate voice reverberated through the room while Amelia danced her fingers across the keys. Alas, the tune ended, and Amelia rose to greet her friend with a kiss to the cheek while Grace applauded their performance.

“I am so pleased you were able to make it, Lady Sarah.” Grace patted the seat next to her. “Come sit, both of you. We have a plan to devise.”

They settled into nearby chairs.

It felt nice to be in her drawing room entertaining her closest friends. Amelia nearly forgot her state of mourning due to the pure pleasure and normalcy of it.

“How are you adjusting, Amelia?”

Slammed by a powerful wave of emotion, Amelia nodded as she pushed the pain back down. “I will be fine once I am wed.”

A maid brought the tea in, and they each accepted a cup.

With a wry grin, Grace asked, “Have you determined which of London’s bachelors you will lure to the altar?”

“I have thought of little else. I do have some names in mind, but am not sure any of them will do. I think Lord Shillington may be promising. As you know, he is the eldest son of the Earl of Voxton. A proper English lord” Amelia set down her cup of tea. “At the very least, he’s a perfect gentleman, and pleasant to look at.”

Sarah grinned. “Indeed, he would be delighted. He certainly did not hide his amour toward you at last season’s balls. In fact, he made quite a fool of himself chasing your skirts.”

Laughter permeated the room and echoed off the walls, lifting Amelia’s spirits.

She would never forget the way his eyes followed her about the ballroom. From the very moment her toes grazed the ground at the duchess’s ball, Lord Shillington was set to do her bidding. He bowed to her ever so ungracefully, and bumped into the Marchioness of Lovington, causing quite a scene.

After apologizing most profusely to the marchioness, he added his name to Amelia’s dance card as many times as proper etiquette allowed. “He did appear to be quite smitten with you, dear,” said Grace, her voice laced with mirth.

Sarah placed her hand on Amelia’s. “You would receive no complaints from him over being trapped into matrimony. So long as you were the bride.”

“I suspect I would not, but I am not sure I could be happy with him all the same.” Amelia folded her hands in her lap and exhaled a deep breath. “I think his clumsiness might be a bit much to live with on a daily basis. Besides, I would not like my husband appearing more fashionable then me.”

The room filled again with the trio’s exuberant laughter.

“Yes, you will want to choose a comfortable match.” Grace set her teacup down with a slight clink. “Who else have you considered?”

“Lord Roleings might do well. I have always been fond of him. And we have gotten on well in the past.”

Sarah’s face twisted up in an odd way. “He’s a known rake, Amelia. Even if Lord Roleings compromised you, he might still refuse marriage. You would be completely and irrevocably ruined.”

The duchess waved her hand in the air. “Come now, he’s not completely dishonorable. He simply fails to hide his affairs as successfully as other bachelors do.” Turning from Lady Sarah to Amelia, the duchess added, “It would be highly believable that he compromised you with little evidence to support the fact. His reputation for being a rake would benefit you.”

“I imagine you are quite right, duchess. All the same, Sarah made an astute observation.” Amelia nodded at Sarah. “I would like an honorable husband. One who has not been labeled as a rake by the ton’s occupants.”

Sarah moved her hand slightly. “The scandal of it all would be more easily forgotten if you married a man of good character.”

Amelia massaged her temples in frustration. There must be an eligible man in London whom she could be happy with.

“By God, I have the ideal candidate.” Excitement dripped from Sarah’s voice. “My brother. The next Marquess of Havenshire. He is in want of a wife and would be hard-pressed to find one more suitable than you, Lady Amelia. Why, he said himself, not even a fortnight ago, he would find a wife this season if he had to marry a merchant’s daughter.”

“Lord Roseington would be a fine match,” Grace agreed. “The two of you are already well-acquainted, and he is most honorable. He wouldn’t deny you marriage if you became compromised in his company.”

The room around Amelia seemed to tilt, then right itself again.
It would be wonderful to have Sarah as a sister.
She closed her eyes for a moment.

“He is a great catch, Lady Sarah, but he is your brother. Could you live with our highhandedness if he hated it...if he hated me?”

“Oh, how you carry on. My dear brother could never hate you.” She smoothed her hand down her skirt. “He may be a tad angry about being ensnared at first. But he would overcome the initial upset, and grow to be happy with you.”

Sarah waved her lace glove-clad hand through the air. “Lady Amelia, I am certain he would grow to love you just as I have. And I could never dislike you. You are like a sister to me. Just think, if the plan works out, we will truly be sisters. Consider how marvelous it would be.”

It would be wonderful to be a part of Sarah’s family, but only if Lord Roseington could be happy with her. What if he could not? Then, it would be a disaster. Could she live with the ill effects?

Grace stood, walked to the hearth, and placed her hand on the mantle. “I think Lord Roseington is a perfect match, Lady Amelia. Truly, you must realize no man will be instantly happy about being duped into matrimony.” She moved her hand to her hip. “Well, with the exception of Lord Shillington, of course.”

They erupted in a fit of laughter. Images of Lord Shillington dressed to the hilt and bumping into ladies filled Amelia’s mind once again.

She snapped out of her laughing fit. “Lady Sarah, you said your brother is determined to marry this season. What makes you think he has not already decided on a lady?”

Sarah shook her head, causing her blond curls to bounce. “He would have mentioned it.” She drew her brows together. “There are a few ladies he’s been courting, but he’s not seriously considering any of them. I am quite certain of it.”

Amelia locked gazes with Grace. “Do you think it a good idea when Lord Roseington is openly courting other ladies?”

“Indeed I do.” Her no-nonsense tone dominated the room. “It shows he’s searching for a bride. And why should that bride not be you?”

Amelia shrugged her shoulders and sighed. “Very well, Lord Roseington it is.”

Sarah beamed at Amelia. “I am so happy. You just watch. My brother will be happy too. Once he gets past having been duped.”

Amelia grinned, despite her reservations. “I hope you are correct in that assumption.”

“I just know I am. You will see.” Sarah stood up and set about smoothing the crinkles from her tangerine silk gown. “Now that everything is settled, I must be going. I have an appointment at the seamstress to get final touches on my new ball gown.”

The duchess clicked her tongue and sauntered back to her seat. “The man is but part of the plan. Now we must determine how to get Lady Amelia compromised. My ball next week will provide the perfect opportunity. But we still lack a well-laid plan.”

As Amelia fiddled with her crape mourning collar, the duchess glanced her way.

“Because you are staying at my home under my chaperonage, you will be able to attend. However, you will not be allowed to dance.”

Sarah dropped back into her chair with a loud swoosh as her skirts billowed into place. “A few more minutes will not interfere with my appointment.”

“Of course you are right, duchess. Have you any ideas?” Amelia asked.

The duchess tilted her head a margin to the left. “I am afraid not. Do either of you?”

Amelia’s gaze met Sarah’s. She hoped for inspiration, but did not find it. “As much as I desire to attend, I think it may be easier to pull off a plan if I refrain.”

Sarah folded her hands back into her lap. “Nor have I, but you are quite right. If you linger nearby the ballroom we can find a way to bring him to you. But how?”

Amelia nibbled her bottom lip. “I have not the slightest inkling”

“Well then, we shall have to ponder the matter further. You should join us at Abernathy House for luncheon tomorrow, Lady Sarah. Then we can discuss our course of action.” Grace’s head dipped, setting her pearl earbobs dancing.

Sarah found her footing once again. “I think it is a grand idea. Now I must be on my way.”

As she bid her friend adieu, Amelia prayed they would come up with something tomorrow.

SCANDALOUS ENDEAVORS

CHAPTER FOUR

Upon her arrival
at Grace’s townhouse, Amelia settled into a large guestroom. It featured a grand mahogany four-post bed against one wall, and an ornate cream-colored vanity on the other. The marble fireplace boasted Roman columns and a carved mantle. A cream and mint floral design papered the walls.

Amelia’s feet sank into the soft cream carpet as she moved across the room to a large window facing the back garden. It let in plenty of daylight, and a mint green chair was positioned next to it. She arranged herself in the chair and gazed out at the garden while she waited for Edna.