Edward Partridge adjusted his sleeve as he descended the staircase to the front foyer. Seeing a flash of yellow, he called out to Amelia’s maid, “Jeanne, is my sister nearly ready?”
The figure in the yellow dress paused, and then spun around to dip into a curtsey. “My lord, Lady Amelia has decided not to attend the ball. Perhaps you would like to speak with her?”
“Blasted women. One can never rely on them. I told her I needed her to make an appearance with me at the Kringles’ Christmas Ball. Bartlett will probably be disappointed, too. It seems he’s taken quite an interest in her. I suppose he’s one of the few men who could put up with her chatter and preposterous ideas, since he can’t hear anything she says.”
Jeanne’s head popped up, and she stared, momentarily forgetting protocol. “Can’t hear, my lord?”
“Hunting accident at Eton. His gun misfired, and he ended up losing most of his hearing. I understand he’s a top-notch lip reader, but if he can’t see your face, he doesn’t know what you’re saying. Nice fellow. I wouldn’t have minded him as a brother-in-law. But knowing my sister, he’s probably better off.” The earl, having settled the matter in his mind, called for his valet and left for the ball alone.
~~~~
Amelia stared at the nearly empty page on her writing desk. The love story she’d been working on no longer held any appeal. Even the thought of romance left a bitter taste in her mouth. Still, she had told Doctor Jones the next story would be completed soon, so she’d better get it done. Edward would be annoyed with her for not attending the ball, but she simply couldn’t risk the temptation to speak and dance with Phillip. One glance in his enticing blue eyes and she would lose her resolve. There was no point dreaming of a future with someone who couldn’t accept her calling as an author.
She closed her eyes and tried to visualize the next scene in her mind. The handsome hero entered the ballroom, searching for the heroine, and all the guests took notice. Finding the lovely debutante, he made his way to her and bowed. Love shone in his cerulean gaze…
Her eyes opened abruptly. Heaven help me! Why on earth did I give the main character blue eyes? She crumbled the paper and stomped to the fireplace, tossing it in. Perhaps she’d better start over with a new character. One with brown eyes, or maybe green…
Jeanne burst into the room, interrupting her thoughts. “My lady! Please forgive me for intruding, but I must share something his lordship told me…” Quickly, she relayed her conversation with the earl.
Amelia gasped, suddenly understanding the reason Phillip hadn’t responded to her confession the day before. He’d been facing away from her when she’d told him. He hadn’t ignored her. How could she have misjudged him so badly?
It all made sense now. The times when he’d seemed distracted and she’d had to repeat what she said. The way he watched her carefully whenever she talked. The way Robert and Desiree always touched his shoulder lightly and waited until they had Phillip’s attention before speaking. She’d thought he didn’t approve of her writing career, but he simply hadn’t heard her.
She had to get to the ball, quickly.
“Jeanne, have Marks summon a carriage, and then come back here to help me get dressed.”
“Yes, my lady. Right away.”
Amelia was half dressed by the time the servant returned. If she’d had her way, she wouldn’t have done anything to her hair. But Jeanne reminded her the carriage would take a few minutes to arrive, so she’d impatiently submitted to her maid’s primping and arranging.
The moment the butler announced the carriage was ready, she flung her cape over her shoulder and nearly flew down the stairs to the marble tiled foyer. A hastily summoned Giles barely had time to stuff his hat on his head as he hurried to accompany her.
~~~~
Phillip took another pastry from a passing waiter’s tray. He paced, partly to keep his mind off his nervousness and partly to keep from being stopped by every matron with a marriageable daughter. A part of him was flattered. But there was only one with whom he wished to share his title.
Where the devil is she? Colorful gowns swirled all around him, and beautiful women descended the staircase, but he didn’t notice any of them. He searched the faces of the guests as they arrived, but the one he needed to see wasn’t among them. Was there some problem at Sudbury House?
Last night at the children’s Christmas party, she’d been a wonderful hostess. After the dinner, she’d gathered the children around her and read the Christmas Story from the Book of Matthew. And then she’d reminded them of their manners before handing out their gifts. The children, as well as their parents, had appreciated the books.
He noted several heads turning toward the staircase. A new arrival must have been announced. He turned, and his spirits lifted. Amelia’s brother, Edward Partridge appeared at the top of the stairs. Amelia should be right behind him. His heart beat faster as he waited.
But the earl descended the stairs alone. Phillip’s heart stopped for a moment.
Where was Amelia? Had she decided to come later, by herself? It would go against convention, but his Amelia wasn’t one to follow the rules. Perhaps he’d better speak to Edward.
He made his way to the earl, who, now that he was no longer betrothed to the Dragon Lady, was a commodity among the unmarried ladies of the ton. Edward was surrounded by the mamas of available women, and Phillip had to wait his turn. Some of the mamas cast a welcome toward the duke, and he did his best to greet them properly. He finally reached the earl.
“Sudbury.”
Edward turned around and executed a small bow. “Good evening, Your Grace. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas to you, too. Er, has your sister arrived?”
“Amelia? No, she has apparently come down with some sort of affliction. Her maid told me she didn’t feel well enough to attend. She sends her regrets.”
“I… see. I trust she recovers soon.”
Phillip backed away. What would he do now? He had no desire to stay and socialize with anyone else. Partying held no appeal for him without Amelia there. With her, he felt like celebrating. What could have happened to her? He wanted to ask, but Edward was already in conversation with someone else. Phillip could see Edward’s mouth and easily deciphered the earl’s words.
“Of course, Amelia never was one for parties and dressing up and such. My mother had an awful time getting her to cooperate during her season. She finally had to give up when Amelia bluntly told her she had no intention of getting married.” Edward paused. “I thought perhaps she might have been interested in Bartlett.”
Might have been?
“She had been looking more… girlish, lately. You know, with the hair and the lace and such. She behaved like a young girl. But today she came down to breakfast in one of her drab old frocks. It was almost like she was in mourning.”
Could she have been upset with him about something? He searched his mind. What could he have done?
His first reaction was to admit defeat. How could he have thought he could win the hand of a woman as special as Amelia? What would she see in him?
But another voice reminded him of her sunny smiles whenever they were together. The way she worked hard for people less fortunate than her. There was no better woman to head Bartlett Manor than Lady Amelia Partridge. He needed to find her and fight for her. Was there even a chance for them? He went in search of a servant to fetch his coat.