When Amelia awoke during the night, she didn’t need to turn over to know Sebastian wasn’t filling the empty space beside her. She lay on her back staring at the canopy above for several moments. She could remain in bed and toss and turn for the remainder of the night, or she could take the opportunity to try to persuade Sebastian to keep her secret, and in doing so, keep her.
She didn’t need to think too long before she threw the covers back and climbed out of bed. Moments later she eased the door to his rooms quietly open.
Sebastian was lying fast asleep in the middle of the huge four poster bed. One well-muscled arm was lying over his head; the other lay on the white sheet covering his slim hips. The broad expanse of his well-muscled chest was liberally smattered with dark hair, tapering down to disappear beneath the sheet covering his lean hips. Amelia didn’t need to draw the sheet down to know what was beneath.
She wasn’t certain how he would respond to what she was about to do, but was emboldened by the stark reality that tonight might be the very last night she had with him. She intended to make the most of it.
Quietly removing the ties from the bed curtains, Amelia moved to the arm resting over Sebastian’s head. He didn’t stir when she moved the arm resting on the sheet over his head. Quickly she tied his wrists to the wooden posts at each corner of the bed with the silken ties, sitting back with a sly grin of mischief when she was done.
Slowly easing the sheet off his hips, she casually dropped onto the floor, quickly following it with her nightgown. Taking a deep breath, she slid onto the bed beside him, running her hands gently upwards, over the taut muscles of his stomach towards the tight buds of his nipples. She paused when Sebastian shifted a little, and waited until his soft snores resumed.
She had a few more minutes before he woke up, so resumed her delectation of his body. Slowly sliding her hands through the broad expanse of muscle and hair on his chest, she eyed the soft length of him nestled in the thick patch of hair at the apex of his thighs in consideration for several moments.
The temptation was too strong to resist. Sliding a finger from base to tip, Amelia watched as the soft flesh began to twitch beneath her finger. She repeated the motion again and again, smiling with naughty delight as his manhood grew proudly upright. A quick glance upwards to confirm he was still asleep. It was all she needed to see, and she carefully replaced the gentle stroking of her finger, with her tongue and teeth.
After several moments of her tender ministrations, Sebastian groaned and shifted restlessly against the bonds holding his wrists firm.
Emboldened by the effect she had on him, and the knowledge he couldn’t grab her and take over, Amelia feasted.
“Oh God, Amelia,” Sebastian grumbled. He was having the most erotic dream he had ever had in his life. Amelia was taking him deep into her -. Whoa!
His eyes snapped open and he stared nonplussed at the canopy of the bed for several moments, before raising his head to stare at his erection now disappearing into Amelia’s mouth.
“What the hell are you doing?” He groaned at the delicious sensations she was creating, only to curse fluidly when he tried to tug her head upwards for a kiss.
“Let me go, Amelia,” he demanded, trying to ignore the tightening of his balls.
“No,” Amelia murmured. “I know you like it.” Her voice was a siren’s husky promise.
“Let me pleasure you,” Sebastian gasped, shivering in anticipation. Eyeing the lush mound of her breasts against his thigh, he softened his voice to a husky whisper.
“No.”
“Keep doing that and you will get more than you bargained for,” he gasped several minutes later, when the pleasure became more than he could control. “I swear to God, Amelia, you have to stop.”
“Alright.”
Sebastian frowned suspiciously at her easy acquiescence. The aching in his erection was fierce. He dragged in a hissing breath as the cool night air swept over his hot and heavy manhood and he cursed, suddenly regretting telling her to stop.
“Ride me,” he gasped, trying to loosen the bonds enough to grab her.
“No,” Amelia murmured with a smug smile of supreme feminine arrogance.
“Amelia.” Sebastian’s tone held a warning that did little other than make her smile even more.
“There is nothing you can do,” she murmured silkily, not quite sure herself where this wanton siren had come from, but willing to see what happened anyway. If he lost his temper with her, then she would just leave him tied up and let the staff set him free in the morning. She fought the urge to smile at the thought of his reaction to that scenario.
“Now look what’s happened,” she sighed, looking down at his softening erection before sliding back down to suckle him again.
Sebastian groaned. “Are you drunk?”
He peered down at her, transfixed by the sight of his huge shaft sliding between her luscious lips. “If you keep doing that, I won’t be responsible if I spill in your mouth,” he bit out. He wondered how far she would go. Would she knowingly bring him to completion with her mouth?
As the pressure in his balls began to build again, he tugged at the bonds ineffectually. Instinctively his hips began to jerk in response to the heat of her mouth as the pleasure grew. He swore fluidly when her mouth left him, and once again cool air took the heat off his erection.
“Now, now,” Amelia chided softly. “Not so fast.” She blew softly on his length and waited until it began to soften.
“You do that again, and I swear, as God is my witness, you won’t sit down while I am away by the time I am through with you,” Sebastian bit out, fighting the urge to yell his head off. Frustration gnawed at him, not only at the promised release she kept denying him, but at the bonds that refused to loosen.
“Untie me, darling, I promise you can ride me,” Sebastian pleaded as she took him into her hand.
“No,” Amelia murmured, sliding her hands upwards across the corded muscles of his stomach to slide through his chest hair and flick his nipples. She was rewarded by his responding groan, and repeated the motion as she straddled him.
Sebastian whispered encouragements to her as she slid over him, eyeing the pebbled nipples inches from his face with lascivious delight. He was almost there, when she leant backwards and away from him.
He glared balefully at her. His attention captured by the sight of her lush thighs resting on either side of his hips, his hard erection poised at her entrance. The sight of her lowering onto him combined the sensation of her tight sheath encasing him, made him groan aloud and swear fiercely, and encourage her onwards. He tried to thrust his hips upwards only to find her weight holding him down, preventing him from withdrawing.
“Amelia.” His brow and chest were bathed in a fine sheen of sweat. He should be blazingly angry at her for tying him up. But he was too enraptured by the sight of her new feminine confidence. He just couldn’t find it within him to do anything but enjoy her curiosity.
She remained silent as she slid down over him, relishing the feel of his rigid length sliding deep within her. Once impaled on him, she slid her hands slowly across his chest, kissing her way to the turgid nipples buried within the thick patch of hair, and licking them. She was fully aware of his intent stare as he watched her, and loved having him under her control.
“You want me,” Amelia murmured, gasping as she slid upwards until he was almost out of her, before sliding back down. A hot pool of tension began to coil low in her belly and she knew release would be soon. She strived to hold off her own completion. She wanted, needed, to see how far she could push him.
“You know damned well I do. Untie me, and I will show you,” Sebastian growled, as she encased him in her feminine heat once more.
“Do you want me to stay?” Amelia murmured, flicking her tongue over his turgid nipples before sitting up.
She ached to have him suckle her in return. She wanted his hands on her. But knew if he was untied, he would take over. This was about her control, not his.
“You can stay in my bed anytime you want to, you know that,” Sebastian muttered, not sure where she was headed. He had never had a conversation with a woman while making love before. It was a bit unnerving, and galling, to think she wasn’t so caught up with the sex that she felt the need to have a chat.
“I mean here, in Tingdale, with you,” Amelia moaned softly, as she slowly slid her own hands down over her breasts, cupping and measuring their weight before squeezing them gently. She felt a thrill of feminine delight, as Sebastian’s tongue swept over his lips hungrily. He stared at her clever fingers gliding over the lush mounds of her breasts raptly, aware she could see the pure longing on his face.
“Yes, I want you to stay,” Sebastian murmured, willing to follow her lead for now. He was fairly certain if he tugged hard enough, he could snap the bonds holding his wrists. But he didn’t want her to relinquish command just yet. He wanted to see if she would actually finish what she started. He was also curious to discover where she was headed with the questions.
Amelia leant forward to sweep her lips across his; nibbling his jaw until the softness of her lips tickled his ear. Sebastian shuddered. “If you break my trust, Sebastian, I will leave, and I promise you will never see or hear from me again,” she whispered, before nibbling down his neck and continuing downwards.
“Amelia,” Sebastian warned, swearing roundly as she eased off him and took him into her mouth again. “Damn it,” he swore, tugging hard at the ties holding his wrists. The delicious sensation of Amelia’s clever fingers rolling his balls, combined with the heat of her mouth on his rigid shaft took over, and he was lost to everything but the delicious sensations she created.
“You’ve got to let me go, Amelia, I can’t last much longer,” he gasped moments later, as he felt the pressure build to uncontrollable heights.
He tried to tug free of the bonds as he warned her to let him go, but wasn’t unsurprised when she ignored him. Unable to do anything other than follow where she led, with a shout he gave himself over to the most dazzling release that was so intense, the world momentarily faded.
Stunned, he lay staring up at the canopy for several moments while his heartbeat slowed and his body cooled. He was still gasping from the force of his release when Amelia bent over him and began to kiss him softly.
He knew then that whatever happened between them, she would never disappear from his life, whatever she claimed. If she did leave, he would move heaven and earth to find her. There would be nowhere she could hide. She was his.
“Take me again,” Sebastian demanded softly, knowing it would be a while before he was ready to find release again, but fully aware she hadn’t found her own satisfaction. He watched as she took his half flaccid member into her mouth again, and felt the delicious sensations stir his shaft back into life with a groan.
Dawn was creeping over the horizon when Sebastian dragged his weary carcass out of the luxuriously warm bed, and away from her feminine lure. Blinking sleep out of his eyes, he glanced back at the wanton goddess who had captured his soul during the night.
She had stunned and delighted him with her willingness to try new things. He eyed the bonds on the end of the bed ruefully, and rubbed his wrists with a smile. He should be angry with her for tying him up, but the sight of her taking him into her mouth was worth a few rub marks on his wrists. Well worth it.
Quickly dressing, he quietly lit the fire and turned for one last look at his future wife. With her hair sprawled out across the pillow, she looked wild. A sated and exhausted goddess.
Immediately, the veiled warning she had given him about returning with Eastleigh in tow rose to the forefront of his mind. Despite her threats, he had to inform Eastleigh of her whereabouts. After all, he couldn’t ask for the woman’s hand in marriage while claiming he didn’t know where she was.
He didn’t know all of the facts about what had happened, but would take steps to ensure the man posed no threat to Amelia. If Dominic was right, and Eastleigh had been searching for her, there really was no reason why the man shouldn’t know his daughter was indeed safe and well.
With one last lingering look at her, Sebastian turned and left.
A few days after Sebastian’s departure, Amelia arrived downstairs to breakfast to find a letter resting on her plate. Cautiously, she eyed the unfamiliar script before tugging open the wax seal. She couldn’t prevent the tears that flowed at what she read.
“Ma’am, is everything alright?” Hodgkiss asked softly, shaken to see the delightful new lady of the house so distressed. Eschewing all protocol, he gently patted the young girl’s hand in a fatherly way while motioning for a footman to get help.
Since the master had brought her through the door looking all bedraggled and desperate, she had proven to be the most undemanding house guest. She had been kind and considerate towards all of the staff, taking the time to ask about their health and families. It was disturbing to see her so distressed, especially with the master not in residence.
“Amelia, what is it? Have you heard from Sebastian?” Isobel gasped, rushing to the table with a worried frown.
“It’s Sir Hubert,” she whispered softly, dropping her head into her hands and weeping openly. “He’s dead.”
Several moments later, Amelia glanced at Hodgkiss and Izzy with a watery smile. Wiping tears from her cheeks with the handkerchief Hodgkiss offered her, she folded the small square cloth around her fingers over and over, as she talked. “It’s just a shock, that is all. He was a kind man who gave me a chance. I am not certain where I would be now, if it wasn’t for his help.”
“Do you want to go to the funeral?” Isobel patted her hand comfortingly.
Amelia shook her head. “He has already been buried. His brother wrote to inform me of Sir Hubert’s death three weeks ago, but unfortunately sent the letter to Glendowie. With Sir Hubert being away, Lord Bestwick was handed the note. He forwarded it on to me. Sir Hubert died a few days after arriving in Devon,” Amelia replied softly. “What do I do now?” she whispered, suddenly wanting the reassuring warmth of Sebastian’s comforting embrace.
“You need to remain here, and wait for Sebastian to return. Ballantyne still poses a threat. We cannot forget that fact,” Isobel replied, buttering some toast and pushing it into Amelia’s hand. “Until then, you need to try to come to terms with the latest news, and not worry about anything. Once Ballantyne has been dealt with, you can decide what you want to do.”
Although she didn’t say as much, Isobel knew that Sebastian would definitely have an opinion in that regard. She was fairly certain that his determination to visit Eastleigh had more to do with informing the man of his intention of marrying his daughter, than discovering Eastleigh’s connections to Hawksworth.
With a shaky smile of thanks, Amelia took the toast from Isobel and sipped her tea.
Sebastian felt tension creep through him when the small procession of horses turned onto the sweeping driveway of Tingdale House later that day. The sight of the large stone edifice lying in resplendent tranquillity in the evening sunlight looked even more inviting with the knowledge that Amelia was waiting inside.
“Don’t worry, it will be fine,” Dominic murmured as he rode alongside.
“She threatened to leave if I returned with him.”
“He insisted on coming with us,” Dominic reasoned. “He offered us assistance in identifying Hawksworth from the death mask. He can hardly do that from Kent, now can he? Propriety demands we accommodate him while he is here.”
Behind them, Edward and Peter rode alongside the Earl of Eastleigh, who had insisted on accompanying them back to Tingdale on horseback. His eagerness to reacquaint himself with his daughter was tangible in the man’s enthusiasm and ready acquiescence to anything they suggested.
Despite his concern at Amelia’s possible reaction, Sebastian still felt certain sympathy for the Earl. On the afternoon of their arrival at Eastleigh House, Sebastian and Dominic had introduced themselves before recounting events to date. They wasted no time in putting forward their suspicions that the man on the Penny Dreadful may be Hawksworth. Eastleigh was astonished, but in turn confirmed that the drawing did indeed look like Hawksworth. The only way to be certain was to take a look at the death mask.
Knowing the dangers involved, Sebastian had cautiously revealed the possibility that his attacker may be Ballantyne. He had recounted his brutal kidnap and beatings, before reluctantly revealing that he had in fact been saved by Amelia.
After a few moments of stunned silence, the older man had practically crumpled before them, slumping into the chair behind him with a heavy thump.
Sebastian and Dominic had both lurched forward to offer assistance, taken aback by the tears of relief and joy in the man’s eyes.
Immediately, Eastleigh had peppered them with seemingly endless questions about his daughter’s wellbeing, her safety, her whereabouts, before being overcome with emotion. It was evident, even to strangers such as Sebastian and Dominic, that the man had been desolate over losing her. There was nothing suspicious about him. He was simply a parent who was riddled with regrets, and self-recrimination, over circumstances that had changed everyone’s lives. Eastleigh’s anger towards his sisters had been palpable, as he assured both men that his sisters had been cast out for their callous treatment of his daughter.
Hugely reassured, Sebastian had wasted no time informing the man that he intended to take Amelia to wife. The older man had been shaking with joy, when he said he would be delighted to accept Sebastian as a son-in-law, and would give assistance in bringing Ballantyne to justice.
Sebastian had decided not to spare the man anything. Although reluctant to ruin the man’s jubilation, in all conscience he couldn’t allow Eastleigh to be ignorant of Amelia’s threat to leave if Sebastian returned with her father.
After a few moments of thoughtful contemplation, Eastleigh had assured them that she needed to hear the absolute truth of events. He wouldn’t be put off meeting his daughter, or be kept out of her life in the future, no matter how difficult things got.
If Sebastian was entirely honest, he didn’t have the heart to deny the man.
As they drew to a halt in front of the main door, Sebastian jumped down and threw open the front door with a thump. Despite his concern over her reaction, he was eager to see her.
“Sebastian!” Amelia gasped, catching sight of him when he entered the study. Casually tossing her sewing onto the floor, she jumped to her feet with a smile of delight on her face.
“Hello, darling,” Sebastian replied, as he strode across the floor. The delight on her beautiful face was a joy to behold. Despite the presence of his sister-in-law, Sebastian swept Amelia into his arms. “God, I’ve missed you,” he murmured softly into her neck, inhaling the delicious scent of apple blossom that was quintessentially Amelia.
She rapidly blinked tears away as she pulled back in his arms with a smile of relief. His response was everything she longed for, as his lips captured hers for several long moments.
“Ahem.” Amelia jerked in surprise at the interruption. Immediately her cheeks heated as she became aware of the others, now standing just inside the room.
“Hello, Amelia.”
Amelia shivered as the hauntingly familiar voice of her father spoke from the doorway. Everything within her froze. She turned her head slowly, and stared at the grey haired man standing across the room.
A sense of betrayal swept through her so strongly that she swayed on her feet. She tried to pull away from Sebastian, but he wouldn’t relinquish his hold. Instead, he pulled her tighter against his masculine length, tension thrumming through every fibre of his being as he watched her reaction with dread.
“Listen to me, Amelia,” Sebastian ordered, blatantly ignoring the betrayal that filled her eyes. “You need to listen to his side of events.”
“You told him,” Amelia choked out. “Despite everything I said to you.”
She pushed hard against Sebastian’s chest, breaking free. “You told him.”
She shouldn’t be surprised really. If she was honest, a small part of her knew that he wouldn’t keep her secret.
“Wait, Amelia. Please, you must listen to me,” Eastleigh pleaded, moving towards them.
His daughter had changed a lot in the last five years. Her hair had matured to a rich sable colour. Her beautiful face had a porcelain glow that immediately made one want to stroke her cheek to see if she was real. Her feminine curves spoke of an elegant grace that was simply stunning. He was so proud of her, it made his heart ache. She was such a beautiful young woman; it was easy to see why Sebastian adored her.
“All I ask is that you give me a few minutes of your time. If you still hate me afterwards, I cannot say I really blame you considering everything you went through.” Barely restrained emotion made his voice shake.
Amelia had never seen such a look of abject fear on her father’s face, and it made her pause. The mental image of his aloof stance, his back turned towards her as he cast her aside rose unbidden in her mind. It was in stark contrast to the humble man who now stood before her. The man now standing a few feet away was her father from her childhood memories, but no longer her father.
A wave of confusion swept through her and she frowned, trying to make sense of the tumult of emotions that churned inside her. Quintessentially he was the same, although older. His hair was liberally peppered with silver, and there were fine lines around his eyes and mouth that hadn’t been there before. Although he was a tall, proud man, there was a slight stoop to his shoulders now that highlighted his age.
Sebastian tried to take her arm, but she was still stinging with the sense of betrayal that despite everything, he had once again gone against her wishes. She jerked her arm away and glared at him, resuming her seat on the chaise in wounded silence.
“Your father insisted on coming with us,” Sebastian informed her harshly. “Of course I told the man you were here. You are his daughter. You need to know the truth from his side of events. He deserves to learn what actually happened to you when you left the security of Eastleigh.”
He felt his own chest tighten with sympathy when Amelia raised wounded eyes to his, but he wouldn’t take the blame for Eastleigh’s determination to see his daughter again.
“If I hadn’t told him, Dominic would have. He has been trying to find you for years. Do you now realise there are two sides to every story?”
He knew by the way she held his gaze, that he had sparked her curiosity.
“Do you not want to know what happened at home to push him to send you to Bath in the first place?
Despite her anger at him, Sebastian moved to squat down before her, taking her hand in his as he spoke. “For the sake of your future happiness, give the man a few moments. He has been riding for days to get here to see you.”
When she hesitated, he rose to pour a brandy, handing it to her silently before moving to sit beside her, silently offering support without pushing her. He watched as Eastleigh took the seat opposite, determination clearly etched on his face.
The conversation that followed was emotion-fuelled, as a humbled and regretful Eastleigh revealed that he had married his wife Henrietta, because he had been tied into a contract between the families. A contract that had been set up while he was still in the nursery.
Marriage to Henrietta had created an alliance that formed the vast Eastleigh wealth, but did little to fulfil his emotions. Unfortunately, that left him tied into a marriage to a woman he didn’t care for; hence they had only had one daughter.
After Amelia had been born, they had each gone their own way. Eastleigh had taken a mistress on the other side of the village that held his affection, and Amelia’s mother had taken lovers. Many lovers. As divorce wasn’t an option, they had agreed that they could see whomever they chose as long as they kept their lovers away from the house, and Amelia.
All had gone well, until Eastleigh had returned home from a business trip early to discover his wife in bed with Ballantyne. He had been angry that his wife had casually dismissed their agreement and, unable to continue to live with her any longer, began trying to persuade her to move into the dower house.
Henrietta had refused to go, hence the arguments. Eastleigh had suspected his wife was having her lover visit her in her rooms during the daytime regardless, but had no proof. It was inevitable that at some point Amelia would discover the truth, or worse, catch her mother in bed with her lover. It was a possibility he couldn’t countenance. He couldn’t bear his daughter to learn that her parents’ marriage was a sham.
Both had agreed that until they could resolve matters, Amelia needed to go away. Unfortunately the only place that had appeared practicable was to her aunts in Bath. He had no idea of the extent of their greed. Ignorant of the truth, he had offered them a very generous payment to take good care of his daughter, while he resolved matters with his wife.
Unfortunately Henrietta died, leaving Eastleigh to deal with the lover, and the resultant gossip. He had been aware that rumours were circulating in the village of Lady Eastleigh’s many bedroom visitors, and had resolved to keep Amelia away from the scandal. Left with no alternative, he had sent her to Bath anyway.
It had taken several months before gossip calmed down enough for him to consider sending for Amelia. From the letters he had received from his sisters, Amelia was having a wonderful time going to balls, soirees and the like, and was thoroughly enjoying the social scene in Bath.
He paused and looked at Sebastian when he scoffed at that. “I know the reality was very different.”
Sebastian stared at the older man. “Did you not want to see the truth for yourself? Did it never cross your mind that, having fun or not, your daughter might want to see you?” He couldn’t keep the disgust out of his voice. “She had just lost her mother.”
Amelia glanced across at Sebastian, surprised to see the anger clearly etched on his handsome face.
“I know, but as Amelia will attest, our last meeting was full of anger and pain. I didn’t want to dampen her newfound happiness by turning up unannounced, bringing unwanted and unhappy memories with me.” The older man shook his head remorsefully and turned back towards his daughter. “To my utter shame I decided to remain at Eastleigh, seemingly secure in the knowledge that you were enjoying yourself and having a coming out of sorts. If I had of known the truth-.”
He added that at first he hadn’t considered anything amiss when Amelia hadn’t responded to his letters. To begin with, he thought she had been too angry with him for being sent away. Then he had put her lack of response down to her enjoying her new lifestyle too much to remember her father, and the bad memories that were linked to him. After a while, he became suspicious but had to wait until winter had cleared, and the roads had become passable again, to make the journey to Bath.
When he had arrived at Bath, Amelia had already gone. The altercation with his sisters had been unpleasant, and he had resorted to threatening the staff with prison before they relented enough to tell him she had left several weeks before.
He had been searching for her ever since. Never giving up hope that one day she would be found.
Amelia was so wrapped up in the pain clearly evident in her father’s voice, she wasn’t aware of the tears that coursed down her cheeks. She didn’t know what to think. The sisters were greedy and manipulative. It didn’t surprise her that they had blatantly lied to her father to keep Amelia under their roof.
“Amelia?” Eastleigh’s soft voice broke through her thoughts, and she jerked in surprise. She glanced upwards with a raised brow so like his own that it brought a small smile to his face.
“I know there is a lot to absorb, my dear, but I sincerely hope you can find it within you to allow me a small period of time to make amends for all of the pain I have caused with my blindness.”
“I think there is a lot to think about, and consider,” Amelia whispered, unsure where to begin.
“I think your aunts have played you both for fools,” Sebastian said, handing her a handkerchief with a soft smile. “They are the ones who should be held responsible for the things you endured both at their home, and afterwards in Glendowie.”
“Glendowie?” Eastleigh queried, raising his brows.
“It was where Amelia was working for a Sir Hubert. He knew who she was, and agreed to give her a home and food, in exchange for her being his housekeeper. Amelia informed him that she had nowhere else to go, so he offered her a home of sorts. It was there that she lived, until I landed half-dead on her doorstep.” Sebastian glanced ruefully at Amelia, remembering that tiny cottage in the middle of nowhere, with something akin to reluctant fondness.
“Housekeeper?” Horror filled Eastleigh’s eyes, as he stared at his daughter.
“It was fine. Sir Hubert was a wonderful old man who struggled to live by himself. He wasn’t very demanding, and afforded me what he could. If it wasn’t for him, I don’t know where I would have been.”
“Was?” Sebastian repeated with a frown, his heart sinking as Amelia’s eyes welled up with tears again.
“He died, Sebastian. A few days after arriving at his brother’s house.” Her voice quivered with surprised emotions.
“Oh darling, I am sorry,” he murmured, tugging Amelia against him.
“I never got to say goodbye, or thank you,” Amelia whispered through her tears.
“You missed the funeral,” Sebastian sighed regretfully. “I’m sorry.” He was only grateful she still held enough affection for him to allow him so close.
For a moment there, he seriously considered he had lost her.
“By the sound of it, there is much we have to thank Sir Hubert for,” Eastleigh offered from across the hearth. He was disturbed by Amelia’s affection for the unseen Sir Hubert, but was pleased to see for himself, Sebastian’s clear devotion to his daughter.
“I think, when you feel strong enough, you should pay your respects at his grave. You should consider taking a few days of sea air while you are there.” He didn’t add that it could be a very suitable honeymoon destination. “I know someone who has a hunting lodge there you may borrow. When you feel the time is right.”
“Thank you,” Sebastian replied, his own thoughts running along the same lines. He had already secured the man’s agreement to marry his daughter. If only getting Amelia’s agreement was as easy.
“I think you are right. But it is up to Amelia.”
“I should like that,” Amelia whispered softly, drying her cheeks. All she seemed to do lately was cry.
“Let us deal with Ballantyne first. Then we shall all go to Devon to pay our respects. I think all of us, in our own way; have a lot to thank Sir Hubert for.” Sebastian’s eyes met and held hers. “If he hadn’t have given you the cottage to live in, you wouldn’t have been there to save my life. I would have died, cold and alone by the side of that track and probably not be found until spring.”
“Don’t,” Amelia chided with a shudder.
“It is the truth, though. Sir Hubert didn’t venture out anywhere. It was on the edge of the Bestwick estates, far away from where the ground staff ventured. I wouldn’t have been found.” The thought made even Sebastian wince.
“It sounds like there is much I have yet to learn about what happened between you two,” Eastleigh muttered ruefully, with a smile. He should have been outraged at the obvious intimacy between the two unmarried people, but seeing the clear adoration on Sebastian’s face, could only find himself happy for them.
“When you are ready, I think I should like to hear what you have not seen fit to inform me of yet,” he added with a knowing look at the couple.
“You already know a lot of it,” Sebastian replied ruefully, smiling down at Amelia.
Amelia felt her cheeks heat at the hidden meaning in the exchange, but refused to apologise for it.
“There is a lot to catch up on,” she replied softly, a hint of reconciliation in her voice. She watched in surprise when Eastleigh lifted her hand off Sebastian’s shoulder, and kissed the back of it tenderly before giving her a small bow.
“We shall have time, my dear. If I have anything to do with it, there shall be no further secrets between us. There is much more you need to know.” He glanced at Sebastian to include him in that statement. “But for now, I think we could do with a brief respite. With your permission, I will go to my room now and get settled. I do believe you may have a death mask for me to look at.” With that, he quietly left the room.
“I apologise for crying all over you,” Amelia said, carefully moving away from Sebastian’s distracting embrace.
“I’m getting used to it,” Sebastian teased somewhat ruefully, as he eyed the damp patch on his jacket. “Talk to me, Amelia.”
“There is a lot to think about,” Amelia replied with a frown. “There is a lot I hadn’t considered, and need to understand.”
“You are not angry with me?” Sebastian didn’t like the sudden distance he could feel between them. As he had feared, she was mentally and emotionally withdrawing from him.
“No,” Amelia replied softly, with a gentle shake of her head. “I should be, but right now I am not sure what to think about my parents’ marriage, and everything. It was all a sham. I don’t know where to start.”
“Why don’t you just take a day at a time and let things happen. Spend a bit more time with your father. I am sure there is much more he has to tell you. There are three years of lost time to make up.”
Sensing her lingering disquiet, he changed the subject. “Peter has just returned with news from Derby Gaol. Not only about the death mask, but also about Jemima.”
Sebastian settled back in the seat with a sigh. He was tired from days of riding, but relished just sitting and chatting amiably with her. He wanted to ask if Sir Hubert had left her a reference, but given her raw grief at the mere mention of his name, decided to wait for now.
“Jemima?” Amelia’s curiosity was piqued.
“I don’t believe you know about Jemima,” Sebastian replied ruefully. “That’s Peter’s scandal,” he added, with a full blown smile that made Amelia’s knees tremble.
“More scandals?” she murmured weakly, with a shake of her head.
“Come on, let’s join the others. We will see if we can combine what we have all learnt about Ballantyne and Hawksworth.” He held out his hand, pleased when she hesitantly took it and allowed him to guide her to the library.
Amelia wondered just what the future held in store for all of them. More importantly, if they were all strong enough to deal with the changes that appeared to be upon them.