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“I’ve been very fortunate.”A strange light entered Amelia’s eyes then as her gaze narrowed.Mary only had a moment to wonder what had caused it when her friend spoke again.“You and Ashford make a lovely pair.I didn’t miss the fact you danced a waltz during the ball we held.”
Mary couldn’t hold back her peal of laughter.Clearly her friend was determined to matchmake.
Amelia folded her arms across her chest as she waited for Mary’s laughter to fade.Finally, impatient, she said, “I wasn’t the only one to notice.People couldn’t stop whispering when it was clear the two of you were enjoying yourselves immensely.”
Mary smiled, remembering that evening with great fondness.“So our ruse was successful?”
One of Amelia’s brows lifted.“Ruse?”
“Of course.It was all pretend.As soon as Lowenbrock announced that you and he were betrothed, every eye in the room turned to Ashford.Many had come to ensnare a marquess for their daughters that evening, and when he was no longer available, they decided a viscount would do just as well.It was quite comical.”
Amelia sighed as she turned to the tray and poured out their tea.“John did say something about Ashford being put out that he wasn’t given warning about the announcement.”
“He wasn’t happy.I’m sure he would have fled from the ballroom if he’d known it was coming.”
She took her teacup from Amelia as another small laugh escaped.The poor man had felt like prey.He’d been amused as he watched guests young and old parade before Lowenbrock as they tried to gain his attention, but the evening had quickly lost its appeal when all that interest turned to him.
“I still think the two of you would make a good match,” Amelia said.
Mary shook her head.“He would never be interested in me.I’m too ordinary for someone like him.”
“Nonsense.”Amelia waved a hand in dismissal.
“I am plain.My hair isn’t fair, but neither is it that rich shade of dark brown that does wonders against your fair skin.My eyes are too big and are an ordinary shade of brown, and my mouth too wide.According to Edwina, the latter is unseemly, though I can’t imagine why.”
Amelia let out an indelicate snort at her last statement.Mary took the teacup from her friend’s hands as Amelia coughed into a napkin.
She placed their cups on the table before turning back to her friend, confused by her reaction.“Did I say something amusing?”
Now it was Amelia’s turn to laugh, leaving Mary even more confused.
Amelia turned in her seat and grasped Mary’s hands.“I suppose your mouth could be seen as unseemly.”
Mary let out a small huff of annoyance.She tried to pull her hands away, but Amelia’s grasp only tightened.
“Your sister is jealous of you, and it seems she has convinced you that no man would find you attractive.”
“Jealous?”Mary shook her head.“Of what, my too-wide mouth?”Mary shook her head.“That is preposterous.She has the appearance of a delicate Staffordshire figure while I—”
“Look like sin itself.”
Mary’s mouth snapped closed and Amelia continued.
“Lady Fairbanks is, indeed, quite lovely, but it is a cold thing.Men like a little warmth in their women.You sell yourself short.”Amelia let out a sigh and released Mary’s hands.“We’ll have to keep a close eye on you.I’m shocked at how many men have propositioned me, assuming it no small thing that I would be unfaithful to my husband.But you…” She shook her head.
“My too-wide mouth, and I thank you for trying to make me feel better.”
Amelia could only shake her head, but her eyes continued to spark with amusement.
“Clearly I lack knowledge in this matter that you now possess.”She pondered the mystery for several seconds before the truth struck her.Amelia was now a married woman and so had experience that she lacked.Mary didn’t want to ask the next question, but she needed to know.She squared her shoulders.“Does it have to do with…?”Despite her attempt at bravado, she couldn’t quite bring herself to continue.
Amelia let out a breath.“The bedchamber and what happens there between a husband and wife.Yes.Although it could happen in any room in the house—”
Shocked, Mary placed a hand over her friend’s mouth.“That is more than enough information, thank you very much.I really don’t want to think about what you and Lowenbrock have been up to while attempting to conceive his heir.”Her mouth twisted as she tried to banish those thoughts from her mind.
Amelia smiled.“Fair enough.But trust me, there will be men who seek your attention.And given that you are no longer a young woman, many of them won’t be looking for a wife but a mistress.”
Well, that was a wonderful thought.Her parents had passed away before she’d had her first season, and she’d had to go live with her sister.All talk of finding her a husband had ceased at that point.She hated the idea of being approached by men who wouldn’t even offer her the benefit of marriage.Why would any woman bother?
