Free The Earl Who Loved Me by Bethany Sefchick Page B

turn to stick her nose in the air.   Just a bit.   Because she
could.   Because she was feeling like a
lioness at the moment.   "And if
that alone is not enough?   Then trust me
when I assure you that those in the highest reaches of Society would not dare
cut the Earl of Weatherby or his wife.   They would not dare risk raising his ire, or that of his friends.   Or have you forgotten that the earl counts
the Duke of Enwright, the Duke of Candlewood, and the Duke of Radcliffe among
his closest friends?
    That statement gave Lady Lydia
pause and she turned to David, her eyes wide.   "I did not know."
    "Nor did you ask," he
growled gruffly.   "All you saw was
a prize you were denied.   You know
nothing of me save for my title and how many new gowns my fortune can buy
you."
    "But my lord, I only
meant..."   Lydia was trying
desperately to undo the damage she had inadvertently wrought.   Not that it would help.   Amelia knew that David would have nothing to
do with Lady Lydia or her family in the future.   He was far too furious.
    "You meant to have your way,
as you always do," Amelia cut in, ready to end this farce.   "But in the future, I would thank you
to keep your grasping claws away from the man who is to be my husband."
    In the stunned silence of the
entryway, one could have heard a pin drop, or, at the very least, a spoon.
    Lady Lydia's skin took on a rather
sick pallor at Amelia's announcement.   "Your husband?   You two are
to marry?"   She looked back and
forth in horror between David and Amelia.   "I did not...   That is, I
had no idea..."   Slowly she began
backing away.
    "We are to marry tonight, just
before the grand ball."   David
stepped forward now and slipped Amelia's hand into his protectively.   She could tell from the smile on his face
that he was beyond pleased.   "I
have already procured a special license, done before we left Town for the
winter holiday."   She felt the
light but steady pressure on her hand where it met his.   "I had decided I could no longer go on
without her by my side.   Surely you
would understand and wish us both happy."
    When Lydia did not immediately
reply, Amelia tilted her head to the side.   "Or must the other guests learn that you are attempting to defy
both convention and society and come between a betrothed couple?   That will not look very good for you, I am
afraid.   Not even Lady Jersey's
influence could help you if you were to be viewed in such a negative
light."   In truth, Amelia would not
carry out such a threat.   That was not
something she could do in good conscience.   However, she did mean to scare Lydia enough that the other woman would
leave them alone.
    "No."   Lydia shook her head, her lips pressed into
a tight line.   "I would not do such
a thing.   Please.   My best wishes to you both."   Then she was gone, scurrying down the
corridor like a frightened rabbit.
    When he was certain she was gone,
David turned back to Amelia.   "Your
husband?   I was not aware that I had
properly proposed."   However, she
could tell he was not angry, but merely teasing.
    "You haven't.   Yet."   It was Amelia who teased now.   "But last night, you intimated that you would.   Were I amenable to the idea of marriage to
you, of course."
    "And are you?"   He looked a little worried now, as if he did
not quite believe what he was hearing.   "I know this is sudden."
    Amelia shook her head in
disagreement.   "And yet not.   In some ways, I feel as if I have been
waiting for this morning for a lifetime."   Then she clasped her hands in front of her.   "And to answer your question, David, yes.   I am very, very amenable."
    At that, David sank to one knee in
front of her, heedless of who was witnessing the event.   "Well then.   Lady Amelia Banbrook, would you do me the great honor of becoming
my wife this evening?   I would be ever
so honored if you did."
    Seeing David kneeling before her, looking
devastatingly handsome and yet so