He looked at her with such a woebegone look that she had almost called off her jest. But then she realized he had no doubt caught the joke. He laughed, a deep uproar with his head thrown back. The milling crowds turned curious stares. Lady Amelia herself was most enamored with the strong column of his neck, once hidden by his lapels and the cravat, now half exposed to her hungry stare.
His laughter was a rich flood, a reaction she had not expected. She would have settled with the smiles that sent waves fluttering through her. The laughter tugged strongly. “Have a care, Your Grace.” She whispered urgently even as she turned a bland look to the curious crowd. “People are starting to stare.”
“Forgive me, Lady Amelia, but I am simply overcome by the circumstances.” He smiled benignly, but more than amusement was in his eyes. “I must confess that you are not far off the mark. Even, I am most ashamed to say, I am guilty of such insipid conversation. I have spent the better amount of the time in this gathering introducing a man with no more to commend him than his way with horses, his excellent seat and a discerning eye for horseflesh.”
He looked so comically apologetic that she laughed, a f
luttery, soft sound behind her fan. He wished she had not bothered to hide behind the contraption of lace and wood. He would have no doubt enjoyed her joy, in much the same way he had enjoyed her many expressions. “I ask for forgiveness for my many sins.” He waited until she recovered.
“And I am graciously ready forgive you.” She conceded with a soft smile.
“Indeed you are.” He waited a moment then turned to her. “Do you ride?” She looked at him with a mixture of mock indignation and mock consternation.
“I am an accomplished horsewoman, Your Grace.” She answered with an impish smile.
“I wonder if I may call on you for a ride in the park.” He inquired softly.
“I fear we are returning to the country posthaste. The Season has nearly ended and the London air is very disagreeable to my father.” Her apology was sincere.
He turned to her fully. Despite a conversation that had spanned the night, they knew little of the other.
“Might I inquire after his health?”
“You may. It is serious, but not immediate. Our physician is of the opinion that the country air is kinder and easier on his disposition. And I am inclined to agree. He does not suffer so in the brisk country air at our estates.” She stated calmly, with the air of one who had given the matter a lot of thought.
“I must then regret the loss of opportunity to pursue our acquaintance.” He was not just saying the words, and she, if her expression was something to go by, felt the same way.
“If I may be so bold to return your sentiments. Alas, he is not at all in good health and once his Parliament duties are discharged we must return with haste. I cannot in good faith continue to have him risk his own health for my prospects.”
“I can curb my displeasure long enough to commend your acts of devotion to your father. He must be infinitely pleased to have a daughter so devoted to him.”
“There are other things I am sure would please him more.” She sighed. It was so tough, when what her father wanted most was for her to leave him, but she had so little time left with him! Lord Windon read this comment as a thinly veiled allusion to the marriage mart.
“Indeed,” he murmured assent. He was aware of the demands of familial responsibilities and how one was always called upon to act, but would inevitably not come up to snuff. He turned back to the crowd of which a good portion was playing charades. He noted no one had invited them to join in and that led him to feel a kinship with the lady. It was refreshing, much unlike the embroidery-loving girls aiming for a good connection.
“You remind me so strongly of my sister. She is also smart and loyal.”
“You have a sister? I would be delighted if you would introduce me. Is she out yet?”
“She is whatever beyond out is. Settled, that is the word.” He answered with a twitch of his lips.
“She is married then.”
“Yes, several Seasons past now. She is my elder by many years.”
“And you inherited despite the fact that she was born first.” She asked breezily, much too easily, as if she was commenting on the weather. It made him increasingly wary as if there was a trap suddenly looming beneath his feet. “To think that Queen Elizabeth was perhaps the best monarch our country will ever see, and yet men still doubt the capabilities of the female sex.”
“It is the way of things.” He returned with a puzzled expression and that was the exact wrong thing to say. She stiffened in a way that his answer was a personal affront. He hurried on, “You forget, even Queen Elizabeth inherited after a younger brother, and an older sister too, come to mention it.”
Amelia opened her mouth for a retort, but bit back her argument. The fate of queens and the rules of primogenitor would not be solved at a dinner party. She put on a blank smile. “Yes, that is so. Do you see your sister often?”
“I saw her at one of the christenings a few years ago, but I haven’t bothered to go to them all. Babies all look alike. She is well-married and my duty to her is discharged.”
The comment brought her to a stop, it was so offhand and callous. He was not the man she had hoped. Her polite mask shattered like bone china.
“Your Grace, I am to believe you did not visit or correspond with your sister, your smart, loyal sister, after her marriage?” Her voice trembled with outrage and shock. This was not like the charming, well-read man she had assumed him to be.
“There are few matters we have to discuss I cannot direct to her husband. There is little need for correspondence.” The admission did nothing to aid his cause. It was all true but he felt a twinge of guilt at her incredulous gaze. By Jove, he liked to think he had done well by the old girl, but now he was not so sure.