AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“In other words,” William piped in, “the attempts to settle a proper match on our Amelia have been unsuccessful due to politics and, well, her strong aversion to so many Weslorian noblemen.” He directed his gaze to Amelia, silently daring her to disagree.
“What? Am I to shackle myself to every foppish Weslorian noble who enters the palace? Is that what you want?”
“Ah. I think I see the problem,” Lady Aleksander said with a nod to William.
“There is no problem!” Amelia insisted.
Except that there was. Naturally,theyall assumed the problem was her. They saw her as an incorrigible flirt, unable to keep her hands from footmen. But the real problem was that no one understood her. Justine had understood her before she’d become queen, but since then she’d been so caught up in the royal business that she had very little time for her sister.
It was Amelia’s opinion that she was too sheltered. She was six and twenty and had wants and ambitions and desires. She didn’tdoanything here, and she chafed at feeling useless for anything other than cutting a ribbon here or patronizing a charity there. She was the spare heir whose sole responsibility was to wait in the long shadow of her sister until she was needed. If ever.
“Would you like to know what I think?” Lady Aleksander asked.
“No,” Amelia said at the same moment Justine said, “Je,please!”
“I think, Your Royal Highness, that you are deserving of someone who suits your adventurous spirit.”
“Adventurous spirit,” Amelia’s mother drawled. “That’s a unique way of describing it.”
“Wait...” It was very plain what was about to happen, and frantic, Amelia tried to think of a way to stop it. “You can’t possibly be here for me, madam. I am sure you are not, because I amcertainsomeone might have mentioned it.” She cast an accusing look at her sister.
“For God’s sake, Amelia. It’s not as if she’s come to escort you to the gallows,” her mother said crossly.
“Yet,” Justine muttered.
“And really, darling, you’ve no one to blame but yourself,” her mother added. “What do you suggest we do with you?”
“You don’t have todoanything with me, Mama! I am a grown woman and I know my feelings and wants quite well. You could simplyaskwhat I should like to do. I should like to do something useful. With all due respect, Lady Aleksander, I am not in need of your services.”
“I understand,” Lady Aleksander said, and Amelia almost sagged with relief. “No one ever thinks they need me. Are those tea cakes?” she asked, pointing at the sideboard.
“They are,” Justine said. “I don’t know why I thought we’d all sit like civilized people and take tea. I must have been mad. Amelia, darling, Lila has come to help you. Not because you need her, but because our attempts to find a suitable match for you have not been successful. And by the by, youdohave useful things to do. I just named you to the royal patronage of the new King Maksim Library!”
Amelia had to clench one fist to keep from shouting out in frustration. When she had opened the new library at Justine’s request, she’d been the only person in attendance under the age of fifty. Some tea and crumpets had been consumed, but not a single dance or lively tune was played. “That is hardly the sort of occupation I mean.”
Justine sighed. She looked around the room. “Will you all excuse us for a moment?”
“Take all the time you need,” Lady Aleksander said brightly. “May I try a tea cake?”
Justine stood, grabbed Amelia by the elbow, and marched her out of hearing to the far end of the room. “You’re acting like a brat,” she whispered hotly, glancing at the others over her shoulder. “Are you really so surprised? You’re six and twenty, Amelia. You’re kissingfootmen. Do you intend to carry on until you do something unpardonable that will make you completely unmarriable?”
Amelia’s jaw dropped. “And your solution is to sell me to the highest bidder?”
“Mein Gott,” Justine said, reverting to their mother’s native German language, in which she and Amelia were both fluent in swearing. “My solution is to help you find happiness. Someone who can be by your side in this life onyourterms. Someone who is agreeable to those who love you and your position as a member of the royal family. And really, isn’t that what you want? You’ve always wanted to be married and have a large family. But you dabble in meaningless dalliances.”
Amelia gasped. “That’s not fair, Justine. I have no freedom here—you know that.”
“You might think of it this way, Your Royal Highness.”
Both sisters jumped—they had not heard Lady Aleksander approach. “You will be enjoying a social season in England.”
Amelia was set to argue, but that last sentence gave her pause. England—and specifically, London—was a different proposition than having a matchmaker drag a handful of suitors to Rohalan Palace in St. Edys. “London?”
“A fine country home,” Lady Aleksander said between nibbles. “Very near London.”
“Acountryhome?” That didn’t sound like any sort of social season. That sounded like punishment.
“You’ll be surrounded by friends. There will be parties and balls. All the fashionable things. You recall Lord Iddesleigh?” Lady Aleksander asked.
