Persuading the Earl (The Country House Romantic Mysteries Book 1) by Audrey Harrison

Author:Audrey Harrison [Harrison, Audrey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2023-05-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Marie stormed into the breakfast room and slapped the paper in front of Richard. “What is the meaning of this?”

“Good morning to you too, Aunt,” Richard responded, trying to move the newspaper from where it covered his coffee cup.

“Don’t you good morning me! How dare you go against my wishes! I was clear from the start with what I wanted to happen! How could you?” Marie ranted.

Enid walked into the room, followed by Patricia, Isabelle, and finally Amelia, who looked uncomfortable when seeing Richard, but continued towards the table nonetheless.

“What is it, Marie?” Enid asked.

“As if you do not already know!” Marie turned to Amelia. “I actually believed you when you said you were not intending marrying; you must have congratulated yourself on so easily fooling an old woman. Did you set out to capture him before you even arrived? Or did you think to make a decision once you were settled in and had seen who else was here? You have certainly done well for yourself. I expect you are pleased as punch.”

“I have no idea what you are referring to,” Amelia said in complete confusion.

“You might have fooled me once, but you will not do it again,” Marie snapped.

Richard gave a cough, focusing everyone’s attention away from Marie’s anger. “Miss Beckett, I think you should see this,” he said, holding out the folded paper, his hand shaking a little.

Amelia crossed to him and, without meeting his gaze, accepted the paper and started reading. Only the merest of seconds passed before she let out a surprised sound and looked at Richard. “You did this?”

“No. I did not,” Richard responded, taking no pleasure in seeing the flush fade from her cheeks as it probably had from his.

“My family!” Amelia moaned, stumbling to the nearest chair and sinking onto it. “What will they think?”

Enid had removed the newspaper from Amelia’s grasp, and after reading what had upset her so much, she looked at Richard. “If you did not post this…”

“My cousin must have been the one to send it off.”

“What are you saying?” Marie demanded while Patricia and Isabelle read the article. “Give me that! Why would Claude do something like this? It is not worded as if from him. The Earl of Douglas, Viscount of Edgewear, Mr. Richard Fox, would like to announce his recent marriage to Miss Amelia Beckett. The happy couple are undertaking a wedding trip and will soon be returning to London to celebrate with friends and family.”

Amelia looked in horror at Patricia. “He has ruined me.”

“You need to get a special license,” Enid said to Richard. “Amelia, send an express to your parents. The damage can be reduced if you act quickly.”

“They will never forgive me,” Amelia said.

“Of course they will, especially when you return with your husband,” Patricia said, crouching in front of Amelia.

“I cannot…” Amelia started.

“You must,” Patricia whispered to her friend while glancing at Richard. “It is the only option you have.”

Amelia looked at Richard. He had stood and was motionless, hands behind his back, mouth pinched and frown lines firmly in place.

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