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“I know. I know.” David slunk down. “And I will.” Because he knew the answer already. She’d never. Right?
Chapter Twelve
If there ever was a place Amalia could do without visiting again, it was Bedford. Mud, mud, mud, a touch of hay, and more mud. She pinched her hem and picked herself off the curb and onto the road away from the small train depot. At least they’d finally built one.
During her ignominious nine months in the town, she’d needed to take a cart forty miles to even find a station. She’d been completely trapped.
Of her own choosing, but if anyone received the short end of the bargain in her arrangement with Elias, it was her. Why they couldn’t have just stayed in Philadelphia the entire time...well, there was a reason they’d lived in Bedford. An important one. And the terms were clear from the beginning, but still. It was most certainly—how would David put it?—“inequitable”?
Because Elias still loved “tradition,” and, well, behaving like a “proper, modest Pennsylvanian.” And she was the complete opposite. And, despite the saying, opposites most certainly did not attract—a lesson she learned well.
But at twenty-two, she’d still had enough hubris to believe she could use her knowledge to her advantage, manipulate the system. Instead of going to her parents for help.
And in certain ways she succeeded. But the cost... Well, she’d traversed so many Rubicons without noticing, she could no longer count.
She adjusted her gloves. With her good hand. As best she could. What was taking David, Will, and Meg so long? They needed to hurry. She had baths to wallow in and a column to compose.
Hopefully David’s handwriting was neat. She brushed her skirt. It was probably perfect. As was his spelling. After all, he spoke, what, four languages? Not as impressive as her mother’s twelve, but much better than her one and a half.
Ugh, why couldn’t she master anything? No wonder her parents never trusted her. All she did was make poor decisions and demonstrate exactly zero aptitude for anything besides cosmetics and clothing.
No. She forced air into her lungs. So what if she was a dunce, she was a dunce with a purpose. Who would be primped and polished and calm and relaxed when she returned to Centerville. In the face of death threats, no less. Her parents had to take someone like that seriously.
She’d find the right words, convince them of the importance of her charity—
“Are you ready?” David adjusted his collar as he skipped over a few loose stones to stand beside her. “Do you know where we are going?”
“Even you would know where we’re going.” She giggled and bumped him with her hip. “The town isn’t particularly large.” He offered her his arm, which she accepted, threading her good hand over his sleeve, the contact not at all sending fizzles to places much more thrilling than her wrist.
“I can’t believe you lived here.” He shook his head.
You and me both. But she didn’t perform the quip out loud. Instead she threw him a half smile and hummed a little.
“Your second husband must have been impressive.” David’s jaw tightened.
Could he be jealous? Amalia resisted an eye roll. Not likely. He was probably tired. She stepped around a divot in the road. “Elias is a good man.” Because he was. She bit her lip. Should she tell David the truth? It had nothing to do with him, and didn’t cast her former husband in the best light. Which would be unfair.
Amalia screwed her lips to the side. Nope. It wasn’t her story to tell.
But David still required information. Especially if they were going to commence any kissing. Because she couldn’t have him believe she was still—or you know, ever—interested in Elias.
Amalia exhaled. “I was a touch impulsive after my first divorce and was looking for the opposite of what I had with Ethan.” Which would’ve been reasonable. Especially if she’d been a bit more upset about the end of her first union instead of relieved and embarrassed.
“That makes sense.” David nodded again. “But the opposite was not for you?”
She giggled. “Most certainly not. I’m a city girl. And you can only change so much of who you are, deep down, no matter what you do.” She gave him a playful, teasing shove.
Except he didn’t laugh with her. Instead he made a noncommittal noise and stared into the distance.
Well, that couldn’t be good. Ugh, she was supposed to be skilled with people. She forced a little pep into her voice and pace. “Anyway, it’s over now. It was a short lapse in judgment that I don’t care to revisit. However, this hotel is supposed to be stupendous so I most certainly want to visit that.” She squeezed closer. “With you. Even if you find luxury appalling with all the suffering in the world.”
David guffawed. “I cannot believe I actually said something like that.”
“Not exactly, but it was implied.” Especially when he got going. The breeze kicked up and her skirts rippled over her boots.
“Oy. I need to work on my delivery. I believe the wealthy have become t
oo far removed from everyday life, but I’m not against all enjoyment. Provided everyone has fair access.” He frowned a little, as if he was considering the matter rather closely. “Besides, the hotel workers should be paid and have the dignity of their jobs.”
