Amelia knew she was risking discovery by continuing to do her writing in the library. It was her favorite room in the house, however, and she could spread out the pages of her manuscript on the desk she’d set up in one corner of the room, next to a large window that looked out on the back gardens. Mrs. Brambles lay on a cushion next to the window, her customary location whenever Amelia was writing.
Conscious of the need to tread with care, she limited herself to a small, neat stack of pages. The notes she’d made about the next few scenes in the book were facedown beside her, but she didn’t need to glance at them that afternoon. The words flowed from her fingers in an unending stream, the scene fully formed in her head.
The sound of the door being opened had her raising her head to find Lowenbrock had entered the room. Fortunately, she’d prepared for this eventuality. She’d written a page of instructions for Mrs. Hastings about household matters they needed to discuss.
She smiled her welcome as she took that list and placed it on top of the pages of her manuscript. Lowenbrock would think she was making notes on household matters if he glanced at it.
He hovered just inside the doorway. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I can come back later if you’re busy.”
“Not at all. I was just finishing.”
“Do you mind if I join you then? I promise to be quiet as you work.”
His expression was so earnest, and it elicited a strange need in her to comfort him. No doubt he was feeling overwhelmed after his meeting with Jeffers. The man did have the effect of wearing one out with his insistence on covering every detail.
“Of course not,” she said, setting the pages aside.
As though to add her agreement, Mrs. Brambles stretched and made her way over to Lowenbrock, where she rubbed against the man’s legs before quitting the room. No doubt in search of another quiet place where her nap wouldn’t be interrupted.
“I think she likes you more than she does me.”
One corner of Lowenbrock’s mouth lifted as he settled into a comfortable chair. “If that was the case, she wouldn’t be sleeping next to you.”
Amelia rose from her chair at the desk and moved to join him. When he started to stand, she lifted a hand to stop him. He stood anyway.
“That will grow tiresome if you insist on standing whenever I do.”
“Perhaps I won’t feel the need after some time has passed. But for now…” He shrugged.
And of course this man, who thought nothing of rescuing barmaids he didn’t know, would never disrespect a gently bred woman. She settled into a chair opposite him, and he relaxed back into his seat.
“It has only been a few hours since I left your study, and you appear exhausted.”
His eyes narrowed on her in accusation. “You could have warned me about Jeffers. The man spent a full thirty minutes talking about the weather and its effect on the various crops. The weather! It is England in the springtime. It is either cloudy or it’s raining.”
Amelia couldn’t hold back her laughter at his mock outrage. “Well, it has been an abnormally cool spring. And the man is passionate about his responsibilities. I’m sure he just wanted you to know the estate is in capable hands. But he’s sweet, as is his wife.”
Lowenbrock leaned back in his chair. “If you say so. I did manage to get one smile out of him.”
“High praise indeed! Mr. Jeffers doesn’t give his approval easily. Make no mistake, he would continue to do his job even if you were a tyrant, but I’m glad to hear the two of you are getting along.”
“Yes, well, there is another matter I wanted to speak to you about.”
Amelia forced herself not to glance back to the desk where several pages of her manuscript rested. Instead, she pushed her spectacles farther up her nose and attempted to look as though his words didn’t set off a spark of alarm within her. “I am at your service.”
He frowned at her choice of words. “You don’t need to be. This is your home as well as mine for as long as you want it to be. I don’t want you to feel as though you have to earn your position here.”
This man was going to be the death of her. After their first interaction, she had already built him up as a paragon in her mind, and now he was doing everything in his power to make her feel secure.
If she wasn’t careful, she’d be in danger of losing her heart to him. Somehow she needed to channel these feelings into her heroine without falling victim to them herself. Especially since the new marquess showed no signs of seeing her as anything but a duty he needed to fulfill.
“I appreciate your assurances. But this is no ordeal for me. I’m used to seeing to whatever needs to be done, and I have never resented that fact. You needn’t feel as though you are imposing.”
His gaze fixed on her. “Would you tell me if I was?”
“I’d like to think so.”
He relaxed again, and she could tell she’d set his mind at ease.
Markham wandered into the library with a slight harrumph. “So this is where the two of you have been hiding.”
“We’re hardly hiding,” Amelia said in reply. She saw the way his gaze took in the papers on the desk before he looked away. From the significant look he gave her, he knew she’d been writing.
He pulled out the desk chair and brought it to their sitting area. “What are we talking about?”
John let out an exaggerated breath. “I’ve received a large number of calling cards, and I’m not sure what to do about them. I don’t have time to visit with every resident of Yorkshire.”
She raised a shoulder in a casual shrug. “Are you surprised? Everyone is curious about the new marquess and wants to make your acquaintance.”
Markham shook his head, his expression indulgent. “Is that what you believe? That they’re curious about the new Lord Lowenbrock?”
Amelia tilted her head to one side as she tried to discern the meaning behind the solicitor’s words. “What else could it be? I know I was filled with curiosity—which you wouldn’t indulge.”
Lowenbrock frowned. “Are they planning to gawk at me and judge whether I’ll live up to the title?”
“Oh, I have no doubt that’s part of it. But I’m sure most of those cards are from men who have a more personal reason for calling.”
Amelia wished he would just say what he was thinking. “And what reason would that be?”
“No doubt many, if not most of them, have unattached daughters who are of age or nearing it. Some will want to see if Lord Lowenbrock would be an appropriate match for those daughters. Others won’t care, they’ll just want to ensure their family is aligned with his.”
Mr. Markham’s words made sense, and she couldn’t stop the dread that hollowed out her stomach at the thought. “So soon? He just took up residence yesterday.”
“The early bird gets the worm. I’m sure all the matchmaking mamas within a reasonable distance have urged their male family members to make your acquaintance as soon as possible, my lord.”
Lowenbrock was silent for several moments. From the way his jaw tightened, Amelia could tell he wanted to say something. Curiosity overcame her when he remained silent.
“What are you thinking?”
“I’m trying to keep from swearing aloud. My thoughts right now are not fit for delicate sensibilities.”
Amelia resisted the urge to tell him not to hold back on her account. She’d heard all manner of rude speech that one night in London.
He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. “I thought I’d escaped that nonsense when I quit London. My sisters were starting to make plans to parade me around the marriage mart. Apparently it followed me here.”
“You are a titled gentleman with great wealth,” Mr. Markham said. “There is nowhere for you to hide save in marriage.”
He glanced at Amelia, and it suddenly occurred to her what he was doing. The man was matchmaking. She gave him a reproving glare. Instead of being chastened, however, he smiled at her, unrepentant.
Amelia wet her lips before asking, “What are your plans with respect to marriage?”
Lowenbrock leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees, locking his gaze on her. “Et tu, Brute? Have you already picked out my bride from amongst the neighboring families?”
She couldn’t hold back her snort and didn’t miss the way his eyes widened at her reaction. “I’m sorry, my lord, but you forget that I’ve met those families. I wouldn’t do that to you. You’ll have to look farther afield to find a bride, I’m afraid.”
“Or much closer to home.”
Markham’s words were softly spoken and meant for her. Her gaze flew to him then back to the marquess.
“What was that?” Lowenbrock asked.
Amelia released her breath. He hadn’t heard, thank goodness.
“Nothing of import,” Mr. Markham said. “I was just thinking about something I needed to do. I’ll go and handle that now.” He rose and started for the door. He took only two steps before he stopped and turned to face them again. “You should host a ball. That will give everyone the chance to meet you and take your measure. It will be tedious, I’m sure, since every unwed female present will have their sights set on you. But it’s best to get it over with all at once.”
He strode from the room with a jaunty step that belied his advanced age.
This time Lowenbrock didn’t hold back his soft curse.
Amelia looked at him with sympathy. “I’m afraid he might be correct. If what you said is true and you’re already receiving calls, then they won’t leave you alone until they’ve had the chance to speak with you. After which they’ll be inviting you to their homes to meet their families. Best to gather them all in one place and meet everyone at once.”
“Do we even have a ballroom?”
The look of disbelief she cast his way was her only reply.
“Of course we do. The house is certainly large enough.” Lowenbrock shook his head. “I won’t be able to stand there while all the guests stare at me. I’ll never survive having that much attention centered on me.” Lowenbrock’s eyes narrowed on her. “You’re looking forward to this.”
Amelia laughed. “I must admit that I am. We may be far from town, but that doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy our balls. And it will be amusing to watch everyone tie themselves in knots to ensnare your favor.”
“I feel as though I should be preparing for the hangman’s noose.”
She laughed at his expression of exaggerated dismay. “Oh, don’t be so melodramatic.”
“Fine, we’ll have a ball. But if we’re doing this, we’ll do it up right. That means I’ll be inviting my two sisters and their families. And while we’re at it, I have a couple of friends I’d like to invite. They’re of an age with me and also titled and unwed. They can share in the unwanted attention.”
Amelia wondered if he was referring to the men she’d seen him with at the tavern. She couldn’t ask, however. She’d just have to wait and see.
She rose, amused at the alacrity with which he followed suit.
“Are you running off to start planning?”
“Actually,” she said, moving over to her desk and gathering up her papers, “I was going to meet with the housekeeper about other household matters. I’ll make sure to mention that we’ll be holding a ball at some point in the near future. I can’t remember the last time the ballroom was used, and she’ll want to ensure every inch of the room is sparkling for the occasion.”
“I can’t believe I’m actually doing this.” Lowenbrock stood tall, his hands clasped behind his back. “So much for trying to hold on to my sanity by leaving London before the season started.”
Tamping down on her desire to lay a reassuring hand on his arm, she held the papers to her chest. A barrier to remind herself she couldn’t get too close to this man. “We’ll discuss dates later, after I’ve had a chance to talk to Mrs. Hastings.”
He let out an exaggerated sigh, and she found herself laughing again as she exited the library.