Chapter Two #3
Amelia nodded, inwardly relieved that the secret meeting could go on as planned. This was her best chance to see Lord Lisford without him paying a call upon her here. The broken engagement made that impossible, and she didn’t want to cause a rift between herself and Margaret.
She wanted to believe that the viscount hadn’t been right for her sister and that, in time, Margaret would come to accept it, if Amelia married him.
But then her sister’s warnings came rushing back. That the viscount had only been using Margaret as part of a wager. That he’d said everything she’d wanted to hear.
Amelia walked toward the window, wondering if she was betraying Margaret by allowing Viscount Lisford to take her out driving. But then, what if this man was meant to be the love of her life? Should she turn her back on that, for Margaret’s sake?
She didn’t know what to think. It bothered her to be torn between her own desires and loyalty to her sister. I adored Lord Lisford first, her heart reminded her. Before Margaret even noticed him. Surely that meant something.
A knock sounded on their door, and when Margaret called for the visitor to enter, Aunt Charlotte came inside. “I have news to share with the both of you,” she said. “Your parents have returned to London. You’ll be moving back in with them tomorrow.”
“But—so soon?” Amelia blurted out. Although her father, Lord Lanfordshire, had returned from fighting in Spain several years ago, she had never expected this.
The baron loathed society, and he’d seemed perfectly content to dwell in Scotland, aside from his visits to assume his duties in the House of Lords.
She and Margaret had resided with their aunt and uncle, more often than not.
“I received a note from Beatrice today. Your mother is eager to see both of you and has asked you to join her tomorrow at breakfast.”
“Why not this evening?” Amelia asked. “We could all dine together as a family.” But when she cast a glance at Margaret, her sister shook her head discreetly. Best to tread carefully then.
“I invited her, but after the long journey from Ballaloch, she wanted to rest.” Aunt Charlotte’s face grew strained.
“I think that she and your father need some time to—” Her words broke off, as if she’d suddenly changed her mind about what she’d been about to say.
“Never mind. Tomorrow, I’ll have the servants help you pack and move back to your family’s town house. ”
Though Amelia kept her expression neutral, it was as if Fate were dashing her plans into pieces. Her suspicions were aroused by Charlotte’s insinuation that something wasn’t right between her parents. And why wouldn’t they want to see their daughters immediately?
Amelia murmured her agreement, but she had already decided to send a note to Lord Lisford, asking him if they could meet earlier. As long as she returned before breakfast, surely that would not interfere with their family’s plans.
The voice inside her head warned that it wasn’t right to meet with a gentleman so early. If anyone saw them together, there would be gossip.
But then, she wanted to wed this man. If they were seen together—even if nothing had happened—surely it would only lead to what she wanted most.
Sarah’s heart was pounding when she entered the house. The butler’s face revealed nothing as a maid took her bonnet and pelisse. It was clear that he believed she had no reason to be here. Even so, he would not disobey Amelia’s wishes.
“Follow me,” he said.
She did, and with each step, her guilt increased. Miss Andrews had been kind enough to invite her here. Likely she would offer her assistance, though Sarah knew she deserved nothing.
The bitter secret was like a venom that she wanted to be rid of. She knew the power it held, and yet, she was afraid to voice it.
When she reached the drawing room, Amelia Andrews was waiting. The young woman was seated upon a creamy settee trimmed with a crimson stripe. As soon as she saw Sarah, she stood and greeted her. “I’m so glad you came to tea. Sit down, and we can talk about what’s happened.”
Inwardly, Sarah steeled herself, trying not to break into tears. Kindness was nearly impossible to bear. She’d had to be strong over these years, and she could not let down her guard now.
“Thank you,” she murmured. Amelia poured her a cup of tea and smiled warmly, waiting for her to speak.
There were a thousand ways to begin, and not one of them seemed right. “I need help,” she admitted. She poured out the horrors of the past four years, of Brandon’s misdeeds and her struggle to find a husband.
“I know I am not the most attractive of women,” she admitted, feeling the rise of heat to her cheeks.
Horse-faced, Brandon had called her. And perhaps that was so, but face powder could not cover up the features she’d been born with.
She swallowed hard, mustering up the courage she needed.
“But I still want to marry. I need to marry, for it’s the only way I can escape the scandal of my family.
I thought you might know of a gentleman who would not be particular about the woman he marries. ”
Amelia had grown quiet for a time, as if thinking to herself. The longer her silence continued, the more Sarah longed to fill it. “I—I hoped you could get me an invitation to a ball where I—where I could meet someone.”
This had to be the most humiliating moment of her life, but she took a sip of the hot tea to hide her embarrassment.
“I’m not sure I can,” Amelia admitted. “After all that your brother did, most of the families want no connection with Lord Strathland.”
“It’s not my fault,” Sarah blurted out. A rise of frustration took hold, of all the years of being a spinster. She didn’t deserve this life, and she wanted a way out. The longer she remained in this trap, the more likely it was that her cousin, Lewis Barnabas, would find a way to hurt her.
A shudder came over her at the thought. No, she would never let herself be with a man like him.
“I know it’s not your fault,” Amelia agreed. “But it’s a delicate situation. Perhaps it would be better if you attended an outing instead of an assembly or a ball. A smaller group might be best.” She sipped at her own tea and offered Sarah a plate of sandwiches.
She took one, but her pulse quickened. Amelia Andrews needed to fully understand the necessity of her finding a husband.
“I want a husband,” Sarah repeated slowly. “A respectable gentleman with a decent income, few debts, and a willingness to overlook my brother’s deeds.”
“I can try to help you, but I don’t know if it’s possible.”
Now was the moment to lay her cards upon the table. Though her conscience cried out, she forced out the words, “I know about Aphrodite’s Unmentionables.”
Amelia blanched for the briefest moment before she smiled. “What about them? Most of the women in London are wearing the undergarments.” The false brightness in her voice told Sarah that she’d guessed correctly.
“I know that you and your sisters are responsible for them,” Sarah said. Though it was like a blade shredding her principles, she saw no other choice. “And I know how terrible it would be if the ton learned of your involvement—especially your sister, Her Grace, the Duchess of Worthingstone.”
“I want you to leave,” Amelia said, rising to her feet. Fury brewed in her eyes, and she pointed to the door. “Your accusations are unfounded, and you’ll get no help from me in your quest for a husband.”
It burned her, but Sarah nodded. “Very well. Then you’ll understand if I spread the news to everyone.”
The silence from Amelia Andrews was deafening. For a long moment, Sarah wondered if she’d made the right decision to reveal what she knew.
“You’re more like your brother than I’d guessed,” she said softly.
“No, I’m not. But as I told you, I have no other options available. If you’ll help me find a husband, I’ll never reveal your secret. You have my word.”
“And what is that worth?” Amelia countered.
“It’s worth the price of your reputation.
” Sarah stood from the settee, her mood somber.
She’d never wanted to stoop to this, but there was no other choice.
“Or if you cannot help me with a husband, then you can provide me with a house of my own and an income to live on. Perhaps a portion of your profits from Aphrodite’s Unmentionables. ”
“Blackmail is a criminal offense,” Amelia countered. “I could have you arrested.”
“You’ve no proof of it.” Sarah walked to the doorway and turned back. “I’ll expect to hear from you in the next few days.”
The next morning, Amelia awoke at dawn. Her stomach was still twisted in knots over what she’d learned from Lady Sarah. Though she suspected she should simply ignore the woman, the risk was there. If a breath of this scandal got out, it would affect all of them.
Margaret was still asleep in their shared room, and Amelia took her clothes into a nearby bedroom so her maid could dress her.
She’d chosen a light fawn morning gown, trimmed with velvet ribbon.
Though it wasn’t a color most women liked, Amelia knew that it set off her hair and drew a man’s attention to her face.
She was grateful for Lord Lisford’s invitation this morning, for she desperately needed a way to take her mind off yesterday’s events. There had to be a way of silencing Lady Sarah and protecting her family’s secrets.
The morning was misty and cool as she traveled with her maid toward the eastern bank of the Serpentine, where she’d promised to meet Lord Lisford. Charles, she reminded herself, testing out the name. One day she would call him that.
Amelia was impatient to see him and was grateful when she spied the viscount waiting near his phaeton. So he had received her note asking him to meet earlier. She was glad of it and motioned for her maid to stand back at a slight distance.
“Good morning, Miss Andrews.” He bowed, smiling warmly.