Page 69 of Real Earls Break the Rules

Minerva’s hands fluttered, and her large bosom heaved. “Mother says I should wear my gown of silver tissue. I’ve been saving it for a special occasion.”

“We haven’t had a ball at Rosehill in a long time. Grandfather was never fond of them,” Helen said.

Minerva giggled. “That’s not the special occasion I’m speaking of.”

All eyes turned to Minerva. “Then what?” Sara asked.

“Lord Vale is going to propose to me!” Minerva squealed.

What? Stunned, Amelia could only sit silently.

“Pardon?” Caroline looked completely baffled.

“Has my brother proposed to you privately?” Helen asked.

“No. He is to do so at the ball. Can you think of anything more romantic than the Earl of Vale down on one knee and asking for my hand in front of everyone? Just the thought makes me want to swoon,” Minerva said.

“Are you certain?” Chloe asked.

“Of course,” Minerva snapped. “Father is expecting him to ask for my hand soon,” Minerva said.

Brandon planned to speak with the duke? A sudden pain squeezed Amelia’s heart. She had no claim on Brandon. She’d rejected his proposal not once, but twice. She’d hope for a proclamation from his heart, not his honor.

Had he given up on her so quickly and decided to ask Lady Minerva to become his wife?

It had only been two days since he’d cornered her against the wall outside the servants’ entrance and swore he’d continue to pursue her. What had changed? Was his affection so fickle that he could ask her to marry him one day then propose to Minerva so soon after?

She felt a nauseated sinking of despair. The air in the bedchamber grew overly warm and stifling. “Excuse me, but I must take a walk.”

Caroline’s brow wrinkled in concern. “Are you well?”

“Yes,” Amelia lied. “All the excitement has made me overly warm. A quick walk will help.”

Before anyone could protest, Amelia fled the room. She hurried down the grand staircase and out the front door. She inhaled the cool air and walked swiftly. She wasn’t sure where she wanted to go, only that she needed to put distance between herself and the house. Heading straight for the stables, she took a young stable boy off guard.

“I need a horse,” she announced.

“Yes, my lady.” He took one look at her face and went to a stall. He led out a cream-colored mare that looked quite docile. “Bessy here is friendly.”

He helped her mount the horse on the sidesaddle. As Amelia rode away from the manor, she inhaled the sweet scent of wildflowers and clover. Suddenly she knew where she would ride. She came upon the copse of trees and found the unmarked trail. She followed it until she heard the sounds of the bubbling brook.

The last time she was here, Brandon had taken her to the stream during their tour of his property. It was the first time he’d kissed her. She’d never forget the cool shade beneath the canopy of trees, the slight breeze, the sound of the bubbling stream, and his lips grazing hers. She recalled that it was his favorite place to play as a boy, and she imagined him skipping stones across the rippling water. Dismounting from Bessy, she led the horse to the stream and ran a hand down the horse’s side. She exhaled slowly, finally alone with her thoughts.

But her solitude was disrupted by a deep, familiar masculine voice. “Have you come to visit?”

Amelia whirled around to spot Brandon standing on a high rock, gazing down on her.

Her hand flew to her chest. “You gave me a fright!”

He hopped down from stone to stone in smooth, sure steps until he leaped from the last rock to stand before her. The wind had ruffled his hair and a lock rested low on his forehead. She longed to reach up and ease it away from his brow.

“You’ve been away. What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I had business matters to attend and stopped here on my way back. But I can ask the same of you. Why are you here, Amelia?”

Her gaze was drawn to his full mouth and sensual lips. Memories of their first kiss returned in a rush. She shoved the thoughts away and lowered her gaze to his tightly tied cravat. “I needed some time alone. I remembered the solitude of this place.”

“Come sit with me.” He placed her hand on his arm and headed for a flat rock facing the stream.