The Ardent Lady Amelia by Laura Matthews

Author:Laura Matthews [Matthews, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1984-09-25T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Trudy’s mention of Geoffrey Lovell did not escape Amelia’s attention. Nor did the fact that Lord Verwood had managed to leave London just on his old friend’s arrival. Here again was a highly suspicious circumstance which, when mentioned to her brother, only made him shake his head at her and wander off to his library. Amelia determined to meet Colonel Lovell without delay.

This proved a little more difficult than she had expected, and eventually she had to go to Clarissa Shipton to discover where he was most likely to turn up of an evening.

“My word, Amelia, you’ve done nothing this entire season but try to track down various gentlemen! It won’t do, my dear.” Clarissa twirled a bracelet around her wrist, inspecting it for any loose stones. “First Lord Verwood, now Colonel Lovell. I can’t imagine what has possessed you. If you’d wanted to marry so badly, there was Lord Ashley last season. But I think you were wise to turn him down. He’s much more interested in horses than he is in people. And Rollings won’t do, of course. Still, this passion you’ve developed for military men in quite inexplicable.”

“I have not developed a passion for military men,” Amelia protested. “My aunt mentioned that Colonel Lovell was in London and I simply thought I should like to meet him. You seemed the most logical person to ask where I might find him.”

“Not I! Mama perhaps, but then, she knows where everyone is, doesn’t she?” Clarissa grinned at her. “Well, she did say she expected to see him at the Earnleys’ tomorrow. I suppose you could just pop in there on your way to the Swinbrooks’.” Clarissa lowered her eyelids demurely over brilliant blue eyes and murmured, “He’s quite striking in his regimentals, Amy. I cannot say when last I’ve been so struck by a gentleman’s appearance. A great deal more polished than your Lord Verwood, too.”

“He isn’t my Lord Verwood, and I would be the first to point out his deficiencies to anyone who cared to hear of them.”

Clarissa offered a sly wink. “Many a gentleman has been known to smooth his ways for the sake of the right lady. I dare say even Lord Ashley would have made some effort.”

They were sitting in the Shiptons’ drawing room sipping languidly at cups of tea. Amelia helped herself to a rhubarb tart. “I can’t think Aunt Trudy would mind stopping in at the Earnleys’. Will you be there?”

“Oh, yes. Mama is convinced Colonel Lovell is an eligible parti. A younger son, but from the Suffolk Lovells, who are without a doubt one of the most prominent families of the county. To say nothing of being one of the wealthiest.”

Amelia laughed at her companion’s mockery. “Ah, yes. An important point. Promise to introduce him to me, Clarissa.”

The young lady sighed. “Well, I will, if you will promise not to dazzle him with your dimples.”

“I don’t have dimples,” Amelia retorted, dusting her fingers on the minuscule napkin with which she’d been provided.

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