The Valentine Charm (The Charm Trilogy: Book 2) by Collum Lynn

Author:Collum, Lynn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zebra
Published: 2014-01-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

“Helen has refused to come out of her room for three days straight.” Amy watched Mr. Latham beside the fireplace. He’d braced first one foot on the grate, then switched and put the other, trying to dry his Hessians from the drenching they’d taken in the downpour as he’d stepped from his carriage. The weather had been inclement since the day following the excursion to Charlcombe, forcing Amy to postpone her visit with Miss Sanford or to find an opportunity to thank Sir Hartley. “My cousin will only allow our maid, Molly, in and out.”

In a voice so low, Amy had to strain to hear the words, Noel asked, “Did she truly love the villain so much?”

Amy gave the matter some thought then said, “My cousin never spoke of love. Only of being a countess. I think it is more the death of her dreams than a broken heart that has laid her so low. She will rally soon.”

Noel pondered her opinion as he gazed thoughtfully into the fire, then with a nod of his head he turned to her. “We must do something to lure her out of her isolation and back into Society. No good will come from her sitting there, going over and over her disappointment. A distraction is what we need.”

Glad that her friend seemed to be rallying from his own dark mood, Amy smiled. “I quite agree, but what shall that be? The only invitations we have are to more routs or card parties and that will hardly entice her to forget her woes after our experiences at Lady Whitford’s and Lord Rowland’s dull affairs. They were so crowded and boring that we had no one to converse with and didn’t make a single new acquaintance.”

The young man paced a bit, being careful not to tread on Claudius’s tail where the dog lay on the rug at his mistress’s feet, then he stopped and shrugged. “I simply don’t know Bath well enough to be able to make a suggestion. It’s unfortunate that Malcolm is ill today for he is a veritable talking calendar of events.”

Amy was just as pleased the young man had failed to come. Since the day of the carriage party and her outrageous flirting, Lord Malcolm’s attentions had become a bit warm. She’d tried her best to dampen his interest without being cruel the morning after the trip, but he’d taken little note, continuing to send her daily bouquets and lingering at her side when he’d called with Noel.

The butler entered through the open drawing room with the tea tray. He placed it on a table beside Miss Addington. “I sent word by Molly that the gentleman had called, but Miss Helen is still seeing no one, miss.”

“Thank you, Bigelow. It is what I expected.”

The servant left and Amy began to pour the tea. Mr. Latham stood watching her and then said, “By the by, I ran into Colonel Hensley and Sir Hartley exiting a pawn shop in Milsom Street yesterday. They inquired after you ladies and sent their regards.

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