Epilogue
“Do you two need the room?” Arabella asked archly as she peered over the rim of her teacup eyeing her sister. “Alone?”
“No. We’re good. Here. With you.” To think it all started with Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s match and her subsequent missives.
Where would she be without them? Amelia patted Benedict’s roaming hand on her hip.
She thought he was being discreet, but apparently he wasn’t.
Lightly, she pinched the skin on the top of his hand and gave him an eye.
To which he responded with by sitting up a little straighter.
And just an inch or so away from her. Not much space, but her whole body could feel it.
“I can’t believe father’s business trip took so long,” Arabella mused aloud.
The small nudge against Amelia’s side prompted her to tilt her head and give Benedict a side eye.
“Don’t you think you should tell her?” he whispered, not receiving her subtle message of ignoring him. That, or ignoring her ignoring him.
“No. He didn’t want me to tell her.”
With a quizzical glance, not a trifle too irritated, Arabella inquired, “What are you two whispering about over there?”
“Nothing.”
“Your father.”
The two said.
“What about him?” the younger sister asked.
Amelia huffed out a sigh. “I suppose I should tell you.”
“Tell me what?”
“I’m only saying this now because I know that I would want to know so that I could prepare. Something. Though at this point, I don’t know what you’re going to do. I don’t see many options.”
“Amelia, what’s going on?”
Her shoulders wanted to sag, but she refused their request. “Father didn’t go away on business.”
“I’m not sure what to make of that.”
“Yes, well…” Amelia twiddled her thumbs and flicked at a piece of lint on her sleeve. “I’m not sure what you’ll make out of all of it.”
“All of what?”
“He’s bringing you home a husband.”
Arabella flew to her feet. Teacup dropping to the settee. Plate and biscuits flying all over the rug. “He’s what?”
“It’s why I went to the Lyon’s Den. I was desperate to save you. In more than one way.”
“What are you talking about? I’m facing scandal. How much worse could it get?”
Amelia held her head still. Not wanting to move. Not wanting to rock the boat any more than she had. The news was only about to get worse, and she really did not want to be the bearer of it.
Arabella stamped her foot and waved her arms in an outstretched manner. Almost like a cross. “What is it, Amelia? I know there’s more. You must tell me.”
And at this point, her head was too heavy. She let it drop to her hands, propped by elbows on her thighs. Benedict’s hand rubbed a small circle on her back.
With a deep breath, she canted her head up and locked eyes with Arabella. “It’s Nicholas.”
Arabella’s eyes widened in alarm. Her extended arms collapsed and smacked into the sides of her legs. “The Duke of Westshire?” she barely spoke the words they were so hushed.
“Yes,” Amelia nodded gravely. “I’m sorry. I know how much you hate him—”
“I can’t believe this.”
“I’m so sorry. I tried to get you out of it. I tried…to buy you a better man.” The words sounded like failure.
But Arabella wasn’t paying her any mind. She was just mumbling repetitively as if in a frozen state. “I can’t believe this…”
Then, she watched her sister turn the slowest turn and walk out of the room like she was walking in a dream.
“I should go after her.”
“Yes. Perhaps you should. That did not go very well.”
“I thought it was going to go worse actually.”
“Really?”
“If I’m being perfectly honest, I thought she was going to jump on a horse and ride off.”
“Is he that bad?”
Amelia only shrugged. She didn’t fully understand the relationship—if one could call it that—between Arabella and Nicholas, so it was better not to say anything.
“I’ll just give her a moment alone.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. It’s for the best.”
His lips kicked up into a smile. “How fortuitous for me.” He pulled her in close. “That means we will be alone for a few minutes.”
Distracted by her sister’s troubles, she murmured back, “Hmm?”
“We’re alone now,” he nuzzled into her ear.
She turned to him, catching his eyes. His smoldering eyes. Eyes that dipped to take in her decolletage.
And then it was just the two of them in the room. Perhaps in the whole country. She saw only him and wrapped her arms around him.
“I’m so glad you bought me,” he whispered teasingly in her ear.
“Mmm…and I’m so glad you chose me.”
“Easiest decision of my life.”