AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Giulia nodded, yawning yet again.
Hattie strung her arm through Amelia’s, and they left the drawing room, making their way down the stone corridor to Halstead’s cavernous entry room. The castle was large and drafty, and Amelia had not been fond of it before Giulia had arrived, bringing her warmth and joy and brightening the very rooms with her spirit.
“We should have tried harder to keep her from joining us,” Amelia said. Despite her general zest for life, Giulia was far too pregnant for a midnight adventure to be a wise idea.
“It would have been useless. No one can keep Giulia from doing what she wishes.”
“Valid point.” Amelia turned to the butler standing beside the front door. “Will you send for our horses, please?”
Footsteps came from the opposite corridor as deep voices echoed from the stone walls. Giulia’s husband appeared, Charles by his side. Amelia froze, yearning to look at Charles even while her mind told her it was a bad idea. If she looked at him, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to tear her gaze away, as she had the strongest urge to appraise the width of his shoulders again.
No, Amelia. That was not appropriate.
Mr. Pepper paused, his eyebrows lifting. “Good day, Mrs. Fawn, Miss Green.”
The women both curtsied, replying in kind.
“How is my wife?” Mr. Pepper asked.
Hattie smiled. “Tired. You may find her asleep in the drawing room.”
“It would not be the first time,” he replied, amusement on his lips.
Amelia failed in her resolve and directed her attention to Charles. Her heart pounded, and she pasted a bland smile on her lips. She had quite a lot of practice looking bored. She could only hope she was achieving the expression now. “How are you today, Mr. Fremont?”
“I am well, thank you.” He smiled, but it did not reach his eyes. In fact, something felt very changed in him. Truthfully, it had since the moment he had pushed her from the mud.
She tried to recall the last time she had seen him before then, but it was hard to remember. He had not been so overbearing of late, it was true. In fact, she believed the last time he had asked her to dance was at the ball celebrating Giulia and Nick’s wedding last summer. What had changed in the man in the year since?
“Good,” she said. “I am glad.”
The front door opened, and the butler appeared. “Your horses are ready.”
“Thank you, Wells,” Mr. Pepper said. “And Mr. Fremont’s as well?”
“Yes, sir.”
Charles turned toward Mr. Pepper, his back partially facing the women. “Thank you, Nick. I appreciate it immensely. Wish me luck.”
Mr. Pepper’s face broke into a handsome smile. “You don’t need it. But good luck nonetheless.”
Charles nodded, shifting back toward the women and bowing. “Good day, ladies.” He strode outside before they had fully risen from their curtsies.
Amelia watched him walk away, the easy, steady gait of a man who knew what he was about. He did not glance back at them over his shoulder, and his confident stride nipped at the corners of her consciousness, so familiar, yet so difficult to discern from where. A memory flashed in her mind, and she stepped back on impulse, a short, silent gasp stealing her breath.
Henry. Charles Fremont had just reminded her of Henry.
