Page 8 of Real Earls Break the Rules

Caroline continued down the hall, Amelia and Chloe trailing behind.

“I understand congratulations are in order for your sister’s engagement,” Chloe said.

“Thank you. Helen is marrying a marquess, Lord Newchester.”

Chloe placed a hand over her heart. “A marquess! How exciting!”

“I suppose. My grandmother is thrilled,” Caroline said. “I’m happy for Helen because they truly care for each other. Newchester is a good fellow.”

Chloe’s blue eyes grew even larger. “A love match, too! It’s my dream.”

Amelia rolled her eyes. “Please ignore my sister. Her sole goal is to marry an aristocrat.”

“That’s untrue,” Chloe snapped. “My goal is to capture the heart of a handsome, rich aristocrat. Is that so uncommon?”

Lady Caroline smiled. “No. It seems to be what every debutante seeks at Almack’s.”

Something in the lady’s tone said it wasn’t her goal. Amelia was intrigued. Perhaps they had a common interest. Vale’s sister wasn’t what she’d expected at all.

Halfway down the hall, Caroline halted. She opened a door and motioned for Amelia and Chloe to step inside, then followed them.

Amelia’s breath caught at the lavender silk that covered the large four-poster. The walls were painted cream, the furniture elegant pearwood. A long bench seat sat before a window. Amelia wandered over to the window and parted the curtains to gaze outside. The view overlooked the rear of the mansion and a long stretch of rolling lawn. The twin marble gazebos stood like sentinels guarding the lush ivy-lined path. In the distance, sheep grazed on the rolling hills.

“It’s beautiful here,” Amelia said. She could picture herself sitting at the bench seat and painting the peaceful country view for hours.

“I’m pleased you approve.” Caroline turned to Chloe. “If you would follow me, I will show you to your room.”

Amelia swung around. “You mean we’re not sharing?”

Lady Caroline hesitated. “No. The earl left instructions that you were to have your own rooms for the duration of the house party. It’s not a worry. Rosehill has dozens of bedchambers.”

Vale wanted her to have her own room? Why? And why would an earl even concern himself with the guests’ sleeping arrangements? Were not such choices the domain of the housekeeper or the dowager?

Amelia struggled to keep her voice light. “When is Lord Vale expected to return?”

A frown knit Caroline’s brow. “I apologize that he wasn’t here to greet you, but my brother had unexpected business arise.”

She wondered what business could keep him from welcoming guests to his home.

Two footmen appeared at the door carrying Amelia’s trunks.

“Place them there,” Caroline instructed as she pointed to an empty corner in the room.

The burly footmen set the trunks down and departed.

Lady Caroline waved on her way out. “I’m certain my brother will say hello as soon as he returns.” Chloe smiled cheerily and turned to follow.

Once she was alone, Amelia opened the first trunk and withdrew a partially completed canvas and a wooden box that held the small round glass jars containing her pigments. She’d begun to paint a landscape of Huntingdon’s country estate, and she was thrilled to see that the view outside her window appeared similar.

“It’s beautiful!”

Amelia whirled at the feminine voice to see Lady Helen, Vale’s elder sister, standing in the doorway.

Amelia’s hand flew to her chest. “Goodness! You startled me.”

“Forgive me,” Helen said.

Amelia closed the lid of the wooden box. She felt a moment of unease until she glanced at Helen’s face.