Chapter 26 #2
Helen turned fully towards Amelia, allowing the silence to stretch until it became unbearable.
Amelia felt her stomach twist as those calculating eyes settled upon her.
“Very well,” Helen said pleasantly, clasping her hands before her.
“If you refuse to marry me and restore my place within this family, I shall make certain every drawing room in England learns of the Duke of Anderton’s illicit affair with his pretty governess.
” She paused deliberately before adding, “Miss Shirley’s reputation will be utterly destroyed. ”
The words landed as icy water poured over Amelia’s heart.
Amelia felt every trace of color leave her face as her breath caught painfully in her throat.
Her palms dampened instantly, forcing her to grip her skirts to stop them from trembling.
She could almost hear the whispers already beginning, could picture the pitying looks, the condemnation.
After everything Bethany had sacrificed to save her, would Amelia truly become another scandal?
She swallowed hard, yet her mouth had gone completely dry.
For one terrible moment, she could not breathe.
Gabriel closed his eyes briefly before turning away from everyone. He crossed to the mantelpiece in three long strides and planted one arm upon the polished stone, lowering his head as though the weight of the world had settled across his shoulders.
Amelia had never seen him look so burdened.
Every muscle across his broad back appeared rigid beneath his evening coat.
She longed to cross the room and place a comforting hand upon him, yet she feared doing so would only strengthen Helen’s accusation.
The distance between them suddenly felt unbearable.
“Our relationship is not like that,” Amelia said at last, forcing the words through trembling lips as she stepped forward. She lifted her chin despite the fear clawing inside her. “Lady Helen,” she continued quietly, “whatever you imagine, you are mistaken.”
Helen looked her up and down before giving a soft, mocking laugh. “Oh, please,” she replied, waving one careless hand. “Look at yourself.” Her smile sharpened. “Look at him.”
Helen gestured lazily towards Gabriel’s rigid figure. “A blind man could see what exists between you,” she said with cruel amusement.
Amelia opened her mouth to object, but no words came. Because wasn’t that the dreadful truth? She had tried desperately not to allow her feelings for him to grow, yet somewhere between broken rules, rescued kittens, frightened children, and stolen kisses, something had shifted between them.
Gabriel straightened slowly before turning back towards them.
His expression had become frighteningly calm.
He walked across the room until he stood directly beside Amelia, then deliberately positioned himself between her and Helen.
The movement stole Amelia’s breath. Without looking at Amelia, he spoke with absolute certainty.
“Miss Shirley is family,” he declared, his voice low but unwavering. “I will not allow you to harm her.”
Helen’s smile blossomed as though he had unknowingly surrendered.
“Excellent,” she purred, clasping her hands together.
“Then we finally understand one another.” She stepped closer, lowering her voice almost conspiratorially.
“We may leave all this unpleasantness behind us and begin anew.” She smiled as though discussing wedding flowers rather than blackmail.
“The children shall once again have their mother.”
Gabriel remained perfectly still for several long moments. Amelia searched his face desperately, trying to understand what he was thinking, but his expression had become impossible to read.
Finally, he nodded once. “Meet me tomorrow evening,” he said evenly.
Helen’s smile widened instantly. “Where?” she asked, unable to hide her satisfaction.
“I assume you have taken rooms at the village tavern?” Gabriel replied. “I shall have the arrangements prepared and meet you there.”
“I have taken rooms there.” Helen smiled.
Amelia’s heart seemed to stop beating altogether.
Arrangements?
Her pulse thundered painfully in her ears as dreadful possibilities flooded her mind.
Is he truly considering sacrificing himself? Is he willing to marry this woman simply to save me from scandal?
The thought hurt far more than it should have. She had no right to feel possessive, no claim upon him whatsoever, yet the idea of him belonging to Helen made her chest ache beyond bearing.
“No,” Amelia blurted, stepping around Gabriel before she could stop herself. She looked directly at him, her eyes pleading.
“Your Grace, I do not care about my reputation.” Her voice shook despite her efforts to steady it. “Please do not make decisions for my sake.”
Gabriel slowly turned towards her. Instead of answering, he merely fixed her with one stern, unreadable look that silenced every further protest.
Helen gave a satisfied little laugh as though everything had already been settled.
“How touching,” she remarked, adjusting one of her gloves with exaggerated care.
She glanced towards Amelia with venomous sweetness.
“It appears I shall soon become the new Duchess of Anderton.” Her smile widened.
“And as the new Duchess, I shall be most generous.” Tilting her head, she added, “I shall endeavor to help you find employment elsewhere, Miss Shirley.”
Amelia barely heard the rest. She watched Gabriel escort Helen silently from the study, through the corridor, and towards the great front doors.
Every step he took beside Helen felt like another fracture opening inside her heart.
When the front door finally closed behind Helen, Gabriel stood motionless in the foyer for several moments before returning.
He looked utterly exhausted. Without so much as glancing towards Amelia, he turned to his aunt.
“Aunt,” Gabriel said quietly, clasping his hands behind his back once more, “you will return to your room.”
Lady Provie opened her mouth to argue, but Gabriel raised one hand before she could speak. “I shall deal with you later.”
The Countess looked unusually flustered as she lowered her eyes. “Very well,” she muttered stiffly before retreating upstairs with considerably less dignity than usual.
Amelia remained where she stood long after Lady Provie disappeared from sight. Her stomach churned painfully as one dreadful thought repeated itself over and over.
Gabriel is going to marry Helen. Why should that thought hurt so much? He has never promised me anything beyond one stolen kiss and impossible glances.
She had no claim upon his future, no right to feel jealous, heartbroken, or frightened.
Yet as tears burned behind her eyes, Amelia realized that caring for this man did not require permission, and losing him would hurt all the same.