Free The Earl Who Loved Me by Bethany Sefchick Page A

unsurprising, given the way
gossip spread.
    Standing before them in a deep,
plum colored gown, her attributes on full display, Lady Lydia looked beyond
furious.   "All I asked for was a
chance to win you for my own."   There was anger in her tone and something dark and more than a little
dangerous.   "Yet I was denied at
every turn."
    "I denied you because all you
wanted to win was the title of Countess of Weatherby," David said, his
posture stiff and unyielding.   "You
did not want me.   I could have been a
bridge troll for all you cared, so long as I was wealthy and titled."
    "Why else do men and women
marry?" she tossed back easily, bushing at her skirts.   "It is not as if love is a
consideration.   Power.   Alliances.   Those are key to succeeding in our world, as I am certain you are
aware."
    Two days ago, this conversation
would have shocked Amelia but her eyes had been opened quite a bit since
then.   She would no longer scurry away
like the mouse she had been.
    "My parents married for
love," David replied softly, his voice low and dangerous as well.   If Lydia noticed, she did not let on.   "I made it clear long ago that I would
do the same.   Warm flesh and an inviting
smile do not tempt me to the alter, Lady Lydia.   You should have learned that by now."
    "You will go willingly if I
threaten to destroy her."   Lydia's
glance strayed to Amelia and for a moment she felt like shrinking back in upon
herself the way she would have only mere days ago.   "I am certain there is something the meek little mouse is
hiding."   Lydia laughed
cruelly.   "And I shall find
it.   When I do, you will be begging me
to marry you, Lord Weatherby, if only to save your silly little chit from
disgrace.   If she is not already
somebody's mistress by then, though who would want her I cannot fathom.   And if you do not marry me after all of
that, I will destroy you as well, Lord Weatherby.   Do not think I won't."
    At Lydia's words, something snapped
inside of Amelia.   Something hot and
angry and furious, burning like a fire that raged out of control.   It was one thing to threaten her.   She was used to it after all.   She had survived much worse and would
continue to do so, a forgotten mouse tucked into a corner of the ballrooms of
London, passed by and never looked at twice.
    But the horrid woman would not
threaten the man that Amelia loved.
    In that instant, Amelia realized
that she did not need another day.   Nor
did she need another week or a month or even another hour.   What had she been waiting for?   She loved David.   She could not remember a time when she did not.   That would not change.   Not tonight or tomorrow or the next day or
the one after that.
    And he loved her.   Over the years he had shown her repeatedly
that he did.   Last night, he had proven
it to her with his kiss, his foolish plan meant to keep her by his side, and
more than that, by the way he had forced himself to stop from completely
ravishing her before the fire when she had begged him to continue.
    It had been difficult for him, but
he had stopped because he knew that she would regret her actions in the
morning.   And he loved her enough to know
that about her.   He loved her enough
that he knew all of her.   He loved her
when she was a plain mouse but he also loved her when she was a lovely and
defiant lioness.
    He might not have spoken the words
aloud, but she still knew.   Her heart
knew.
    And it was time that she did
something about it.
    "Do you really think yourself
so powerful, Lady Lydia?"   Amelia
could see the look of surprise in Lydia's eyes when she finally spoke.   "You and your mother might be friends
with Lady Jersey and Lady Cowper, but my father has the ear of the Prince
Regent himself, not to mention many respected members of Parliament and their
wives.   I feel certain that my family
has a bit more sway with the elite of London than you would suspect."
    Stepping out from behind David, it
was Amelia's