Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Amelia had spent the better part of the afternoon trying not to think about Lady Provie.
Unfortunately, the harder she worked to ignore Gabriel’s aunt, the more anxious she became.
By the time six o’clock approached, she had convinced herself that the woman would either despise her from the start or interrogate her until she confessed to crimes she had never committed.
Neither possibility seemed particularly appealing.
Taking a steadying breath, she smoothed her skirts, checked her reflection one final time, and made her way downstairs toward the drawing room.
The moment Amelia entered, conversation faltered. Gabriel stood near the hearth with a glass balanced loosely in one hand while Valerie sat elegantly upon a sofa and David sprawled on the carpet beside Shadow, who appeared entirely unconcerned with social expectations.
Lady Provie rose from her chair at once and fixed Amelia with an assessing stare that made her feel as though she had been summoned for inspection.
“Well, it is about time,” Lady Provie declared, clasping her hands together as Amelia crossed the threshold.
Amelia blinked before sinking into a polite curtsy. “My apologies, Lady Provie,” she replied, straightening carefully. “I hope I have not kept anyone waiting.”
“Have you not?” Lady Provie asked, circling her with surprising energy for a woman who had spent the day travelling. She tilted her head as she studied Amelia from every angle. “I was beginning to wonder whether you had become lost somewhere within the house.”
Amelia resisted the urge to point out that she had arrived precisely at six o’clock as requested.
Instead, she folded her hands neatly before herself and endured the inspection.
The experience felt remarkably similar to being evaluated at a livestock auction, and she found herself wondering whether she ought to neigh politely or trot in a small circle to complete the performance.
At last, Lady Provie stopped and released a dramatic sigh. “Oh, dear.”
Gabriel lowered his glass and frowned. “What does that mean?”
His aunt waved a dismissive hand. “It means this is a very large problem indeed.” Her gaze shifted toward Valerie and David before she lowered her voice. “One that I refuse to discuss in front of young ears.”
David immediately abandoned all interest in the cat and looked up. “What problem?”
“Nothing at all, my dear boy,” Lady Provie said sweetly, bending to pinch his cheek. “Now shall we eat, or do you intend to starve an old woman in this house?”
Amelia glanced toward Gabriel in confusion. He met her gaze briefly, then rubbed a hand across his jaw with the weary expression of a man who had spent decades surviving his aunt.
“I believe we are ready for dinner,” he said dryly, looking toward the servants.
The dining room gleamed beneath candlelight a few minutes later.
Amelia found herself seated directly opposite Lady Provie, which she strongly suspected was no accident.
Silver dishes reflected warm golden light across the polished mahogany table while servants moved silently between the guests.
The first course consisted of a delicate vegetable soup accompanied by fresh bread and butter, though Amelia doubted she would manage more than a few spoonfuls under such relentless scrutiny.
Lady Provie wasted no time. “Tell me, Miss Shirley,” she said, lifting her spoon gracefully, “how long have you been teaching?”
Amelia nearly choked. Setting down her spoon, she blinked across the table. “Teaching?”
“Yes, teaching,” Lady Provie replied. “That is what governesses do, is it not?”
Gabriel slowly lowered his own spoon and fixed his attention upon his aunt.
“I have not worked formally as a governess before arriving here,” Amelia admitted.
Lady Provie’s eyebrows shot upward. “You have no experience?”
“Not professionally, but I myself was taught by—” Amelia replied with a faint smile but was cut short.
“My word,” Lady Provie groaned.
“The children appear to be thriving,” Gabriel observed calmly.
Lady Provie ignored him completely. The second course arrived shortly thereafter, featuring roasted chicken, herb potatoes, and seasonal vegetables. Amelia attempted to focus on her meal, but Lady Provie’s attention remained fixed upon her with all the determination of a hunting hawk.
“And your family?” Lady Provie asked.
Amelia reached for her water glass. “My family is well.”
“I am aware of that,” Lady Provie replied. “The gossip made that quite clear.”
Amelia nearly dropped her glass. Beside her, Valerie lowered her head suspiciously quickly while Gabriel’s expression darkened.
“Aunt,” he warned.
“What?” Lady Provie asked innocently, helping herself to potatoes. “Surely we may discuss current events.”
Amelia wished the floor would open beneath her chair.
Gossip? What had been said about her? Her family? What did Lady Provie know?
The questioning continued throughout the meal as Amelia felt tied in knots. By the time the venison course arrived, Lady Provie had inquired about Amelia’s education, her sisters, her previous engagements, and her future plans.
Amelia answered each question as politely and vaguely as possible while privately deciding that imprisonment might actually be less exhausting than returning to her family home or staying at Anderton.
“Why exactly did you come to Anderton Manor?” Lady Provie asked at last.
Amelia carefully set down her fork. “I accepted employment.”
“Why?”
“Because I required employment,” Amelia said.
Lady Provie regarded her with obvious suspicion. Gabriel leaned back in his chair and folded his arms.
“Most people work because they require income, Aunt. This is no different.”
His aunt shot him an irritated look. “You are not helping.”
David looked between them curiously. “Are you arguing?”
“No,” Gabriel and Lady Provie replied at exactly the same moment.
David narrowed his eyes. “That sounds like arguing.”
The fourth course finally arrived, bringing fruit tarts, cakes, and custard. Amelia bit back a smile when she noticed Gabriel avoiding the desserts despite having secretly devoured her custard.
Apparently, Lady Provie noticed as well.
“You still refuse sweets?” she asked.
Gabriel took a sip of wine. “Correct.”
Lady Provie shook her head and pointed her spoon at Gabriel. “You always were strange.”
Gabriel lifted his wineglass in a mock salute. “Thank you.”
“It was not a compliment,” she informed him, narrowing her eyes.
“I assumed as much.” He took a leisurely sip of wine, entirely unbothered.
Across the table, Valerie pressed her lips together as though attempting to remain composed. The effort lasted only a moment before a laugh escaped her.
The unexpected sound startled everyone at the table, including Valerie herself. Silence followed for a moment as all eyes turned toward her. Then Gabriel smiled.
As coffee was served, Lady Provie leaned back in her chair and surveyed the room thoughtfully. Her gaze lingered on Gabriel, shifted toward Amelia, and then settled briefly upon Valerie and David. “Hm.”
Amelia immediately disliked that sound.
Gabriel apparently shared her concern. “What now?” he asked.
Lady Provie folded her hands neatly. “Oh, nothing.”
That answer inspired absolutely no confidence.
“I merely believe Anderton Manor may be undergoing some changes in the near future.”
Gabriel frowned. “What sort of changes?”
Lady Provie lifted one shoulder elegantly. “Time will tell.”
“Aunt,” Gabriel said in a warning tone.
His aunt simply smiled into her coffee cup. “I find it best not to ruin surprises.”
Amelia exchanged a glance with Gabriel. Judging by his expression, he was every bit as confused as she was. Valerie looked intrigued; David looked entirely lost, and beneath the table, Shadow suddenly leaped into Gabriel’s lap.
The Duke looked down in irritation as the cat purred triumphantly, and despite Lady Provie’s interrogation, despite the gossip, and despite the uncertainty hanging over her future, Amelia found herself smiling.
Whatever changes awaited Anderton Manor, she suspected they would not arrive quietly. And judging by Lady Provie’s expression, the woman fully intended to help them along.
What does she have planned, and will it mean that I must leave them?
The day of the ball arrived with enough nervous energy to be felt throughout the entire county.
From the moment Amelia opened her eyes, servants hurried through the corridors carrying flowers, polishing silver, and preparing guest chambers.
Every clock in Anderton Manor seemed determined to tick louder than usual.
Even Shadow appeared unusually restless, weaving between feet as though he sensed something important was about to happen.
Amelia spent the morning helping wherever she could while trying very hard not to think about Gabriel. Unfortunately, her thoughts appeared to have developed a distressing habit of ignoring her instructions.
By afternoon, she found herself in Valerie’s bedchamber surrounded by gowns, ribbons, gloves, and enough hairpins to arm a small regiment. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows as Trixie made final adjustments to Valerie’s appearance.
“There, you look absolutely perfect,” Trixie said.
“Thank you, Trixie,” Valerie said with a smile.
Amelia stepped back to admire the finished result and felt genuine pride swell inside her chest. Valerie looked beautiful. More importantly, she looked like herself.