Page 41 of An Unexpected Earl

Yes. Amelia had heard about the man. His leadership had been rated second only to Wellington’s in the fight against the French. And looking at him now, she had to agree that he certainly possessed an imposing air that would have brooked no resistance when giving orders.

But standing next to Pearce, the man seemed a bit…lacking. Of course, she might have been biased, but Pearce appeared so much more untamed and dangerous, so much more muscular and solid. So much more dashing because of it.

“We’re quite fond of Pearce,” the duchess commented. “Marcus thinks of him as a brother, in fact.”

“So do all the men who served with him in the Coldstream Guards,” Claudia interjected. “He’s a true war hero, you know. Saved his men’s lives on several occasions when all should have been lost. He was a great brigadier.”

Amelia raised the glass to her lips to cover the proud smile lingering there. Of course he was. He was born for battle.

“But not so much an earl.”

Amelia froze, the flute at her lips, not at all expecting that. “Pardon?”

Even though Danielle’s voice lowered so that they wouldn’t be overheard by anyone in the crush around them, her concern rang clear. “He’s having difficulty adjusting to being a peer.”

“Oh?” Amelia couldn’t have told that from the way he looked tonight. Just as handsome in his evening finery as the other gentlemen filling the room, his presence just as commanding and confident. As if he’d never belonged anywhere else.

“He’s restless.” Danielle’s pretty brow creased. “He’s having trouble with being thrust back into London life. Even being responsible for the earldom isn’t enough, not when he has an army of accountants, solicitors, and servants to run it for him.” Her frown deepened. “Marcus went through that at first, too, when he was granted the dukedom.”

“Yes, but Marcus had you,” Claudia reminded the duchess. “You gave him new purpose.” An overlong, intentional pause… “Where will Pearce findhispurpose, do you think?”

With that, the fog vanished. Amelia’s mouth twisted. Clearly, the two ladies already had an answer in mind.

“Pearce and I haven’t seen each other in years,” she clarified. “We’re barely friends anymore. What you’re suggesting is…” Ludicrous. Preposterous. Outlandish.

Impossible.

A piercing thud jarred along her spine. Amelia raised her glass to her lips, to hide whatever stray emotions might be visible on her face. And her pain.

“Oh, no! We’re not suggesting anything of the sort,” Danielle protested quickly.

“Nothing at all like that,” Claudia agreed. Then another long pause… “But would it be so terrible if we did?”

Amelia choked on her champagne.

“I mean, just look at the man.” Claudia gestured at Pearce with her wineglass, not attempting to hide that the three women were obviously talking about him. “He’s been captivated by you since the moment you walked into the ballroom.”

Amelia’s face flushed in embarrassment. How on earth had she gotten into this peculiarly personal conversation with these two women whom she barely knew? “That isn’t—”

“He hasn’t been able to drag his eyes away from you for a moment.” Claudia cast her a knowing look. “And he isn’t at all looking at you as someone he once knew as a childhood friend and now holds in fond affection.”

“No,” she had to agree, with full chagrin, or risk being called out for a liar. “He isn’t.” He stared at her as if he were a wolf who wanted to devour her. And shamelessly, she very much wanted to let him.

“Now, Claudia,” the duchess scolded lightly, “you know we shouldn’t play at matchmaking.”

Yet something told Amelia that the two women planned on doing exactly that.

“If Miss Howard says they’re only acquaintances, then we have to respect that.”

Relief surged through Amelia. “Thank you, Your—”

The duchess added beneath her breath, “It doesn’t mean we have to like it, however.”

Oh bother. Amelia rolled her eyes—

Just in time to see Freddie return to the ballroom in his hunt for Pearce.

“But making certain Pearce has an old friend in town—adearfriend,” Danielle continued, although Amelia only half paid attention, “well, there’s no fault in that, is there?”