The Regimental Heroes Anthology(2)
During the day she saw him dressed in his finery. He was the Duke of Warringham after all. Dashing and handsome. But tonight, dressed in a simple white undershirt and trousers, he looked, well… tempting.
His gaze followed hers and dropped to his chest. “I apologize again. As I said, I was not expecting company this late. Let me fetch a shirt.”
“No… please. You don’t need to be so formal. It’s only me.” She waved a casual hand. “What were you doing before I came?”
“I was reading a deliciously gruesome horror novel. When you knocked on the door, my heart nearly stopped. I thought it was a cadaver calling.” He ran a hand through his dark hair and grinned.
“You like to stay up late and read, like I do. I don’t know what I’d do without books.” She smiled distantly as she moved to the fire to warm her hands. “We have many things in common, don’t we?”
“Yes… we do.” A look of sadness flashed through his deep blue eyes. He took another sip of brandy.
“Have you ever found me attractive?”
Spencer’s eyes widened, before she saw his composure snap back in place. “What kind of a question is that?”
“It’s a question I have always wished to ask you.”
“I don’t like to play games, Amelia.”
“I am not playing at anything. I asked a simple question.”
“You are engaged to another man.”
“I am not.”
“Brenton will ask for your hand at the ball tomorrow night. Have you not heard? It is all the gossip around town.” He blew out a breath and looked away.
She reached for his hand, half expecting him to pull away. He didn’t. “But there is something you have forgotten; until tomorrow comes, I have not said yes.”
“When it does, will you?”
“He does not love me. I do not love him. I hate the thought of marrying a man I do not love.”
“Has your father agreed to this arrangement?”
“No, not yet, but I know Brenton wants the power my family can bring, and to do that, he and his family will ask for an arranged marriage between us.” Amelia’s stiff skirts rustled as she moved back toward the hearth. “The other day, I overheard Brenton tell his friends that as soon as he has me with child, he will never touch me again. He has no need for me as a wife. He desires a mistress.” She sniffed. “Molly O’Donnell.”
“Molly O’Donnell? What does she have to do with anything?”
“He told his friends he loves her, but he needs to marry into my family’s money.” Her voice rose, “He probably wants her as a mistress because she has big breasts… oh!” Amelia slapped hands over her mouth not believing she had spoken her thoughts out loud.
“But that still does not explain why you decided to come to me,” he said.
“Brenton told me he will only marry a virgin.”
“You are asking me to spoil you? If you are not married… Amelia, I can’t believe what I’m hearing.” She couldn’t tell if he was angry or appalled.
She threw up her hands. “Do you know how difficult it was for me to come here and ask this of you? I haven’t seen you in almost a year. I don’t even know if you are still the man I knew.”
“I am not.”
“We’ve known each other since we were children and now I am taking advantage of our long friendship. I can’t abide Brenton. He’s a terrible man. He told me that once we were married if I didn’t do everything he asked, I would have to answer to the back of his hand.”
“He threatened to harm you?” His words were sharp.
“I don’t know what else to do. If I am no longer a virgin, well, I won’t have to marry the cad. My plan was to meet a stranger outside the tavern in town, but I couldn’t force myself to do it. I thought many nights on this and came to the conclusion that I trust you. I know it must be hard for you to understand, but I hoped you would help. I have nowhere else to turn.” All the energy left Amelia’s body. She sank down in an overstuffed chair, and dropped her head in her hands. “I know I have no right to ask. I’m so ashamed. Just give me a minute to compose myself. I’ll leave.” She met his gaze. “I know I have no right to define my future.”
Spencer stood watching her for a long moment. “Any man would have to be mad not to find you desirable, and I am not mad.” His eyes were impossible to read.
“I have no choice.”
“But you do. You were right when you said you cannot marry Brenton.”