The Unwanted Earl by Ruth J. Hartman

Author:Ruth J. Hartman [Hartman, Ruth J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, Regency, General
ISBN: 9781940695136
Google: rc9kAwAAQBAJ
Publisher: esKape Press
Published: 2014-04-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

A hard rap came from the other side of Amelia’s bedroom door.

“Yes?”

The door opened. Their butler, Gordon bowed his head. “Pardon me, Miss Talbot, but you have a caller waiting in the parlor.”

Conrad. “Splendid. Please send Annie in. Thank you.”

As soon as the maid arrived, Amelia sprung into action. “Annie, I need to look my best for Lord Lofton.”

Annie stood behind her as she arranged Amelia’s hair. The maid sputtered a laugh.

“Something amusing?” Amelia turned her head to the side just enough so that Annie would see her displeasure.

Another giggle followed. “Oh no, Miss Talbot. Of course not.”

Insolent maid. How dare she poke fun at me? It would be just like her to do something outrageous with the back of my hair and I wouldn’t know until it was too late.

Changing her gown came next. Amelia picked a dark blue one, a choice sure to get her betrothed’s attention. A pair of satin slippers came last. Once finished, Amelia stood by the door and took a calming breath. “Wish me luck, Annie.”

“Oh you’ll need it.”

Amelia whirled around. “What was that?”

“Nothing.”

In a huff, Amelia left her room and descended the long staircase. What is Annie prattling on about? She’s met Conrad before, she knows that—

As soon as Amelia rounded the corner into the parlor, she stopped. Her feet ceased movement so quickly that if she hadn’t grabbed onto the doorframe, she would have tumbled forward into her caller’s lap.

Not Conrad.

Old Man Griffith.

A shudder ran through her. She could have sworn even the roots of her hair quivered in disgust. Why? Why was he here? Father had assured her that he’d had quite a long talk with Lord Griffith, explaining that she was betrothed to another. Amelia barely registered Annie’s belated entrance into the parlor. The maid moved to stand in a far corner, a delighted smirk on her face.

So she’d known. And hadn’t warned me.

Amelia’s mouth went dry. “G-Good day, Lord Griffith.”

A pop and a creak came from the general vicinity of his neck when he turned his head in her direction. “Good day, my dear.”

My dear? “To what do we owe the honor of your visit, my lord?”

His eyes held a muted sparkle from somewhere in their faded blue depths. “Just wanted to see you before the big day.”

What big day? Hers and Conrad’s? He surely couldn’t mean… “I… see.”

“Join me, won’t you?” Lord Griffith patted the cushion on the settee right next to him.

Oh no, that won’t be happening. She rushed to a chair that was across the room. Way across the room.

Lord Griffith’s mouth formed a pout. “I was hoping you and I could get better acquainted.” His gaze drifted back to the settee while at the same time his weathered hand patted the cushion again. Twice.

She pressed herself against the back of her chair, wishing she could force away the wall behind her and keep putting distance between them until she reached Scotland. “I’m quite comfortable where I am. But thank you so much for the invitation.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.