Forgotten Heiress by Wendy Soliman

Author:Wendy Soliman [Soliman, Wendy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance
Goodreads: 17221420
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Published: 2013-02-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

When Eva suggested that they all return to the drawing room, Lord Willard helped Amelia with her chair. Flustered by such unaccustomed attention, she caught her heel in the hem of her borrowed gown as she stood. She wobbled as she fought to keep her balance and heard an ominous ripping sound.

‘Oh no!’

Lord Willard’s arm shot out to steady her. ‘Are you all right, Miss Armitage?’

Stupid question. Of course she was not all right. Surely he had heard the fabric tear. She glanced down, expecting to see yards of torn silk flapping around her hoops, but to her relief the damage appeared minimal. She would repair it herself before returning the gown and no one would be any the wiser.

‘I apologise for being so clumsy,’ she said with as much dignity as she could muster.

‘I expect everything seems a little strange to you at present, so you can be forgiven for feeling anxious.’ His smile intoxicated her. ‘Let me assure you that none of us bite.’

‘Being considered socially inept is a worse punishment.’

‘None of us think that of you, and I hope we have not given you any reason to suppose that we do. If so, it is our manners that are at fault.’

Amelia expressed her thanks, appreciating the trouble he was taking to put her at her ease. Most gentlemen in his position would sneer at her incompetence and want as little as possible to do with her. Lord Willard sent her a reassuring smile and offered her his arm. She walked into the drawing room with her hand resting upon it, managing not to knock into anything. Olivia joined them, having seen Lord Torbay off on his mission. She looked distracted as she threw herself onto the piano stool and ran her hands idly across the keys.

Amelia’s heart did a strange little flip when Lord Willard asked permission to occupy the same settee as her when there were plenty of other chairs he might have chosen. She readily agreed and there he was, smiling at her in his open, friendly manner and asking her if she was warm enough.

‘Did you enjoy your first evening away from your father’s home?’ he asked.

‘I was terrified, if you want to know the truth,’ she replied with a self-deprecating smile.

‘Were you?’ Lord Willard elevated his brows. ‘Good heavens. I never would have guessed it from your behaviour.’

‘Well, that is something, I suppose.’

‘Why were you so nervous?’

‘Why, you ask?’ Amelia widened her eyes. ‘I have never dined with earls or viscounts before; nor had I ever expected to. I was terrified that I would do something wrong.’ She spread her hands. ‘Use the wrong fork, or something, knock my wine glass over. I tend towards clumsiness when I am nervous; as I am sure you have already noticed.’

‘What strikes me most forcibly about you is your courage.’

‘Courage?’ She widened her eyes in frank astonishment. ‘There is nothing especially courageous about me.’

‘I would imagine that defying your father and walking out on the only life you have ever known must have taken a considerable amount of courage.

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