The Unwanted Earl (21 page)

His gaze connected with hers and he smiled. He tilted his head slightly toward his mother and raised his eyebrows.

Ah yes, I agree. Mothers can be so trying
. With a nearly imperceptible nod, she smiled back and darted a glance toward her own mother.

Conrad gave a wink.
Wink?
 

She bit her lip, suddenly overcome with mirth.
Oh dear, if this is to be the flavor
of the visit, I’m not sure I can hold in my laughter.
 

Amelia’s mother took Amelia’s hand and tugged her to their guests. The four stood face to face, eye to eye. But no one spoke.

Boots tapped and sighs were heaved. Why wasn’t Mother saying anything? Was she waiting for their guests to speak first?

Fine. Then I will take the lead.

Amelia curtseyed to Conrad and his mother. “Lord Lofton, Lady Lofton, how pleasant to see you today.”

Conrad’s mother grimaced. Wonderful. So that’s how it would be, then.

Conrad nodded his head. “And you as well, Miss Talbot. Mrs. Talbot, lovely to see you again.”

“
Welcome to our home.”

Lady Lofton mumbled something that sounded like
tripe,
but Amelia couldn’t be sure. Judging from Conrad’s sharp intake of breath, however, proved it to be something not very kind.

The butler stood in the doorway to the parlor. “Tea is served, Mrs. Talbot.”

She nodded once, a short, jerky movement, and followed the butler into the nearby room.

Conrad waited until all of the ladies were seated before sitting down next to his mother.

How I wish it were just he and I, alone…
A memory of them that first evening when she’d invited him to her small gathering floated through her mind. Her tight, low-cut dress. Strawberries and cream.

That kiss.
Oh my.
 

Her mother looked at her and frowned. “Amelia, you’ve a flush.”

She grabbed her handkerchief from her sleeve and waved it in front of her face. “Have I?”

Conrad’s expression was one of amusement. Left eyebrow raised. Right side
only
of his mouth turned up. Was he remembering the same?

A maid served them tea and tarts and then stood in the corner to await further instruction. Amelia was glad it wasn’t Annie. That maid’s reaction might have been to throw the tarts at them and pour tea in their laps.

No one reached for their tea. No one nibbled even a bite of their tart.
What now?
Should she say something? Do something?

It being the first and only time she’d entertained a betrothed at her home, she knew not how to begin.

Her mother saved her the trouble. She leaned forward and glared at Conrad’s mother. What was she doing? She’d never even met the woman.
Of course I know how disagreeable Lady Lofton is, but she doesn’t.
 

Could it possibly be a case of recognizing a nasty kindred spirit?

Lady Lofton leaned forward as well. Saints be praised, the two matriarchs weren’t alone in the room. Amelia wasn’t sure who would emerge the victor. Or even alive.

Conrad tapped his mother’s arm to gain her attention. “Mother…”

She didn’t pay him any attention.

He tapped harder. “
Mother.
”

She turned her head. “What?”

“
Perhaps you and Mrs. Talbot could discuss something pleasant, such as…” He shrugged. “The… wedding?”

Amelia’s heart leapt. That was the first time he’d actually mentioned it. The wedding. Their wedding. The event that would change their lives forever.

Lady Lofton shrugged. “I suppose.” She looked at Amelia’s mother. “What do you think?”

“
About what?”

“
About discussing… the wedding.”

“
It’s already planned.”

Amelia’s jaw dropped open. “It is?”

Her mother glared. “It is.”

Conrad heaved a sigh. “Very well, then. How about we discuss something else?”

His mother frowned. “Such as?”

“
The…” He glanced at Amelia.

Poor man. At least he was trying. She added, “The… weather?”

Lady Lofton scowled. “What’s so interesting about the weather? It happens every day. And it’s
outside
. And it can
stay
there.”

This isn’t going well. Not in the least
. Amelia picked up her tea and took a sip.
Still too hot.
She set down the cup and swallowed, and then placed her napkin over her mouth. If she made too much of a fuss, it would only give her mother something else to complain about. Her eyes watered and she swallowed again.

Conrad nodded at her as he picked up his own cup, as if thanking her for the suggestion of drinking the tea in lieu of starting another maternal argument.

No no no! I didn’t mean for you to —
Oh this would be… She held out her hands to get his attention, but it was too late.

His eyes grew large and he choked. His set his cup down on the table beside him with a clatter.

Amelia’s mother leaned in close. “What’s this? Is your betrothed so uncouth that he doesn’t even know the proper etiquette for drinking tea?”

Lady Lofton huffed out a loud breath. “Now see here, my son most certainly does know how to drink tea. He’s been drinking since he… well he’s been drinking it his whole life. How dare you…”

The argument continued but Amelia had stopped listening. She jumped from her seat and crossed the room. Reaching out her hand, she stroked Conrad’s cheek, which had turned bright red. “Are you all right?”

Tears streamed from his eyes, but he nodded.

“
Can I get you anything?”

“
N-no. Thank you.” He sputtered another cough.

“
I’m so sorry. I found it was too hot but didn’t want to cause a stir with…” She darted a glance at her mother. “But I should have let
you
know somehow so you didn’t burn your…” She lowered her gaze to his lips. “Mouth.”

He leaned forward, into her hand that was still stroking his face. “Amelia…”

“
What on earth are you doing to my son?” Lady Lofton’s screech was surely audible to the next county.

Oh… no…
Amelia snapped her hand to her side and scurried back to her own seat. Eyes downcast, she didn’t dare look at her mother. But that didn’t stop
her
from berating Amelia.

“
How despicable. To act in such a way… And in front of me. And
his
mother. Really, Amelia!”

She nodded, but couldn’t respond. Her fingers tightened into fists on her lap.

Lady Lofton sniffed. “I can see now why you had trouble finding a man to marry you, Miss Talbot.”

Mrs. Talbot gasped. “I beg your pardon? Your son is very fortunate to have snagged my daughter.”

“
Snagged?
” She wagged her finger under the other mother’s nose. “I’ll have you know that my son was coerced into—”

Oh dear
. “Uh… Mother… Lady Lofton, perhaps we’ve gotten a bit off the subject here.”

Conrad nodded. “Yes, Amelia is right. Let’s… discuss something else. Anything else.”

The four sat silent, again. Amelia scoured her mind for something benign to discuss, but all she could think about was touching Conrad’s face. And how she’d like to do it again.
Now.
 

Just say something Amelia. Anything…
“Um, Mother, how have you been feeling?”

“
I beg your pardon?”

“
You know… your gums…” Maybe that wasn’t the best thing to bring up.
But I’m running out of ideas.
 

“
Amelia, I hardly think this is the time or place…” She glanced at Lady Lofton and shrugged. Did she also not want another argument?

Doubtful.

Still, she continued along the thought. “Yes, well… They’re still feeling dreadful. That surgeon-dentist Mr. Fletcher doesn’t know the difference between my mouth and that of a hedgehog. I think he’s a quack.”

Conrad gasped and coughed. Was he still suffering the effects of the tea? Or was it from what her mother had said. But why would talk of the surgeon-dentist upset him? Was he perhaps upset on
Cecilia’s
behalf because they spoke of
her
father?

No Amelia, don’t dwell on their relationship. You promised Conrad you would trust him.

Lady Lofton grabbed her fan from her reticule and swung it to and fro in front of her suddenly perspiring face. “I… That is…”

“
Yes… Mother… my thoughts as well.”

Amelia raised both eyebrows. What was going on?

Conrad groaned. Yet
another outdoor outing. Did Amelia never tire of them?
I may
as well grow accustomed to them if I wish to spend time with her after we’re wed
. He glanced to his left where she walked beside him, holding his arm tight against her breast.

His breath quickened.
But I’m fairly sure I will never grow tired of
that. Her hair glinted in the sun, which shone brightly for a change. And her eyes, the color of emeralds, always seemed to hold some sort of fascinating secret. One Conrad was certain he wanted to know. Had to know.

Amelia looked behind them. “Come along, Cecilia. You needn’t walk behind us.”

Cecilia blushed, which seemed to come as easily to her as Conrad. “Oh… I thought perhaps you and Lord Lofton would like…” The hue on her cheeks deepened.

With a laugh, Amelia reached back and took Cecilia’s hand, drawing her even with them. “You’re here as our friend.” She leaned toward the younger girl and winked. “But if we do require a few moments of privacy, you’ll not need to ask if that’s the case. I’m sure it will be quite obvious.”

Conrad gasped. Cecilia had done the same. Good heavens, his wife-to-be wasn’t shy.

Amelia tugged on Conrad and Cecilia at the same time. “Let’s go over and see the rose gardens, shall we?” Conrad stumbled. Thankfully, Cecilia did not. Perhaps his sister was more graceful than he.

But then, she’d have to be, as he seemed to have the talent for tripping over air.

A huge area was planted with row after row of roses in yellow, pink, white and red. As they neared the flowers, Conrad sneezed. He sighed and grabbed his handkerchief.

“
Bless you.” Amelia smiled. She turned to Cecilia. “I love all of the roses, but my favorites are the—”

A tickle attacked Conrad’s nose and he sneezed again.

“
Goodness.” Amelia lowered her eyebrows. “Are you feeling ill?”

He shook his head. “No. I’m f-f-f—” An even louder sneeze erupted, nearly stealing his breath.

Cecilia pointed at a grove of trees a few yards away. “Perhaps we could rest on the bench?”

“
Th-thank you I—” A sneeze to rival a boom of thunder overtook him. He bent at the waist, gasping as the sensation bounced around in his chest.

“
Come along, dear.” Amelia grabbed his arm tightly and pulled. With her usual lack of gentleness and the fact that he had his handkerchief covering nearly his whole head, his feet tangled with hers.

Down they went.

Conrad peered up at Amelia, who peered right back at him, as she was lying on his chest.

Cecilia crept up beside them. “Would this happen to be one of those… times for… privacy?”

A sigh escaped Amelia’s lips. Lips that under better circumstances he would indeed like to kiss. “No, that’s all right. I accidentally tripped Conrad and we’ve ended up quite close to the lawn.”

Conrad turned his head. A long blade of grass poked him in the eye. Pressure built behind his eyes, travelled down his nose and exploded from his mouth. He covered his lips with his handkerchief a second before his betrothed would have worn his sneeze as an unwelcomed sticky veil.

The sneeze startled several ravens that had been resting in a nearby tree. They cawed and burst from the leaves all at once. Their wings flapped and they darted around haphazardly. All but one flew off. And that one inquisitive bird didn’t seem frightened at all. Instead, it landed a few feet from them and then hopped twice, getting closer.

No… Why do birds hate me so? This one was probably chosen from among the
throng to investigate what I’m up to and report back with the juicy gossip to his repulsive little bird friends.
 

“
I wonder why that bird is staring at you, Lord Lofton.” Cecilia looked at them, and then back at the raven.

“
It
is
quite strange.” Amelia stood and reached down her hand to help Conrad from the grass.

Conrad replaced his handkerchief in his pocket and then righted his hat and smoothed his coat. His valet would grumble at those grass stains. But at least he was wise enough not to inquire as to how they might have gotten there.

Cecilia’s blue eyes widened. “Do you suppose the bird… has taken a fancy to you?”

With a sputtered laugh, Conrad shook his head. “I would think not. I’m afraid the opposite may be true.

“
But why?” His sister stepped closer to him.

Amelia brushed some grass from his shoulder. “Yes. Why ever would a bird dislike you?”

“
I know not. But enough instances have taken place that have convinced me that birds, all birds, everywhere, do in fact, despise me.”

Amelia laughed. “Oh, Conrad, I’m never so amused as I am when in your company.”

“
I’m pleased one of us can find humor in the situation.”

“
Let’s go find that bench that Cecilia suggested.”

It was becoming clear that Amelia didn’t understand the depth of his loathing for anything with wings. He spotted a few blades of grass on his glove and shook them off. Or his dislike for anything having to do with the fresh air which she found so appealing.

“
Oh my. Look at that.”

Conrad turned. Cecilia was a few paces behind them, pointing at that blasted bird. The crazy creature was following them. Conrad reached back for Cecilia’s hand, took Amelia’s hand in his other. He quickened his steps. “Hurry. Let’s run away.”