Free Lady Amelia's Mess and a Half by Samantha Grace Page A

spread it out on his lap. A quick perusal revealed sound engineering. Amelia’s addition wouldn’t fall down around her ears.
    “Mr. Brown knows what he’s about.”
    She leaned forward to peer at the draft. “How many windows has he incorporated? I cannot tell what is window and what is wall.”
    “There are four along this wall.” He pointed to the lines indicating openings. “And four on the opposite wall.”
    She craned her neck. “Where exactly?”
    “Come here so I might point them out better.”
    Amelia rose from the chair and settled beside him on the settee. Their heads bowed together over the plans. Her floral perfume was sweet and clean, and it brought to mind a clear summer sky as blue as her eyes.
    Jake touched the places on the paper where windows would be. “Here. Here. Here. And here.”
    Her hand brushed his as she ran her finger over the places he pointed out. Pleasing tingles raced along his skin.
    “It’s exactly as I had hoped,” she said. “I wish to create a cheerful place for the children, a haven from London’s cruel streets.”
    Jake nodded, enamored with the way her face softened as she spoke of her aims. “You have a way of cheering up any place, Mia.”
    Her cheeks flushed a rosy hue. “Mr. Hillary, it is fortuitous that you came here—”
    A loud rap on the outer door caused them both to startle.
    “Good heavens,” she muttered. “Now who is calling?”
    The butler passed the drawing room door as he walked to the front entrance, his spine rigid and his upper lip stiff. The man truly lacked any lightness of character. From their position in the drawing room, neither Amelia nor Jake could view the caller.
    “Please inform Lady Audley that Captain Hillary wishes an audience.” His brother’s boisterous voice echoed in the foyer.
    Hot anger shot through Jake. He should have known his damned brother wouldn’t keep his word to stay away from Amelia.
    ***
     
    Amelia’s heart raced when Jake scooted closer to her on the settee. Bibi was wrong. What passed between them was more than lust. They shared a kinship she had never experienced with another gentleman. After his arrival with flowers, she felt certain his aim was to court her.
    She gazed warily toward the door. Bradford appeared in the threshold and threw her a questioning look. She could deny the captain an audience, but it would be awkward explaining her refusal to Jake.
    She gave a quick nod to grant permission before Bradford moved aside and directed the captain into the drawing room with a sweep of his hand. The gentleman’s stride was a cross between a swagger and a march, commanding as he invaded her quaint living quarters. She had a brief vision of him onboard his ship.
    “Jake, I expected you would have departed by now,” the captain said.
    Sitting as close as she was to Jake, she sensed the tremor flowing through his body. She stole a glance at him. The murderous glint in his eyes made her breath hitch.
    She touched Jake’s forearm to soothe him, and his gaze snapped to her. Offering a tentative smile, she prayed the men wouldn’t come to blows. If Captain Hillary injured Jake, she would never forgive the brute, and Jake might come out on the losing end, given his brother outweighed him by a stone at least.
    There was a brief flash of tenderness in Jake’s eyes before he glared at his brother again.
    “Captain Hillary, what an unexpected surprise.” Amelia’s greeting to her unwelcomed caller sounded strained. “Do you seek out Lady Kennell?”
    The captain smirked. “Does the viscountess reside here as well?” He stayed close to the entry, not venturing to approach them. “It is you, my good lady, I seek.”
    What in the world was Captain Hillary doing calling on her? He couldn’t expect her to consider him a suitor, because men like the captain didn’t court ladies. She pressed her lips into a straight line. His visit meant one of two things—Mrs. Hillary had sent him here on an errand, or the