LITMIR.BIZ

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were both resigned to a fate neither would have chosen. They sat in silence together while the mantel clock ticked away.

      ‘Marc and Tess will want to know what we discussed here,’ she said finally.

      ‘We will talk to them together,’ he said. ‘If you desire it.’

      ‘Yes. I do agree.’ They might be strangers discussing how to reach a destination.

      ‘What do they know about that night in Brussels?’ he asked.

      ‘Why, nothing,’ she responded, more energy reaching her voice. ‘My family still believes I walked back to the hotel with Captain Fowler.’

      ‘You did not tell them he broke the engagement?’

      ‘There was no reason to,’ she explained. ‘Especially when he was injured. When his parents wrote that he had to withdraw from the betrothal because of his injuries, it was easy to accept it and say nothing.’

      ‘You were not sorry?’ Now his voice showed some emotion.

      ‘Not at all.’ She’d be pleased never to face Fowler again. Ever. ‘Although I was sorry he was so grievously hurt in the battle.’

      ‘Your brother thought I was daft to ask to court you,’ he said with some humour.

      ‘You told him you wished to court me? He did not say so.’ No wonder Marc had acted so strangely. She could not help but laugh. ‘He must think we are strangers!’

      He smiled and her heart seemed to flip in her chest. When Marc told her Edmund was here, Amelie resolved not to think of how handsome he was, nor how skilfully and kindly he’d made love to her, but both thoughts came rushing back.

      She felt the colour rise in her face and suddenly she felt awkward with him. ‘Perhaps we should speak to Marc now.’

      ‘Certainly.’ He stood and offered his hand.

      She put her hand in his, relishing the strength of his grip and the masculine roughness of his skin, as she’d relished touching his body that night in Brussels.

      That scandalous night that had changed both their lives.

      They walked out of the library and into the hall, where Staines stood in attendance. ‘Mr and Mrs Glenville wish for you to go to them,’ he said.

      ‘Where are they?’ she asked.

      ‘The drawing room.’

      As they walked to the drawing room door, Amelie glanced at Edmund. ‘Are you certain of this?’

      ‘Very certain,’ Edmund replied.

      She nodded and Edmund opened the door. Marc and Tess immediately looked up and left their seats.

      Tess walked up to Edmund and gave him a hug. ‘What are you about, Edmund?’ she asked at the same time.

      ‘Did Marc tell you why Edmund wished to see me?’ Amelie asked her.

      Tess nodded. ‘Marc said... Well, it is nonsensical.’

      ‘I have accepted him,’ Amelie said. ‘We will marry as soon as possible.’

      ‘What?’ Marc’s voice grew louder.

      ‘You do not know each other!’ Tess cried.

      Marc gripped Amelie’s arms. ‘Amelie, do not be so hasty—’

      Edmund broke in. ‘I realise I am not the husband you would choose for her.’

      ‘I already told you it is not that,’ Marc insisted. ‘It is that you have no real acquaintance and—and our father is not likely to approve.’

      Amelie’s spirits dropped. ‘I had forgotten. Papa must approve who I marry until I come of age.’

      ‘I had not considered this,’ Edmund said. ‘How old are you?’

      ‘Edmund, you do not even know how old she is!’ Tess cried. ‘You know nothing of each other!’

      ‘I am nineteen,’ Amelie answered.

      ‘Good God,’ murmured Edmund, but as if to himself. ‘Nineteen. Same age as Genna.’

      Marc looked from Edmund to Amelie. ‘Why do you not wait? What is the haste about marrying? You need time to know each other. And if you wait until you are twenty-one, it will not matter if Papa approves or not.’

      Amelie glanced at Edmund. He raised his brows.

      ‘We do not have the luxury of time,’ Amelie said.

      Edmund looked at her.

      She met his eye. ‘I might as well tell them.’

      ‘Tell us what?’ Tess asked.

      ‘They will know soon enough,’ Amelie went on.

      ‘Know what?’ Tess’s voice turned impatient.

      Amelie took a fortifying breath. ‘We cannot wait, because—’

      ‘Are you certain of this?’ Edmund asked her.

      She nodded.

      ‘Certain of what?’ Tess’s voice grew shriller.

      Amelie faced both her brother and sister-in-law. ‘I am certain we need to marry quickly, because I am carrying Edmund’s child.’

      Her statement was met by a stunned silence.

      ‘No,’ Marc said in a low voice.

      ‘Edmund’s child?’ Tess shook her head at Edmund. ‘It cannot be. This is all a hum. You have not been together.’

      Edmund spoke quietly. ‘We were together, Tess. Obviously. The night of the Duchess of Richmond’s ball.’

      ‘No,’ she insisted. ‘Amelie left the ball with Captain Fowler.’ She swung towards Amelie. ‘Is this Fowler’s baby?’

      ‘No!’ Amelie and Edmund cried in unison.

      Amelie’s face flushed. ‘Fowler abandoned me that night, Tess. He left me alone on the streets of Brussels. I do not know what I would have done if your brother had not found me and escorted me back to the hotel.’

      ‘I dare say you would have been better off!’ Glenville’s nostrils flared as he turned towards Edmund. ‘You seduced my sister?’

      Amelie stepped in front of Edmund. ‘He did not seduce me. It was my doing. All of it.’

      Edmund pulled her back. ‘Do not try to put a better face on it, Amelie. I seduced you.’

      ‘No! Edmund!’ Tess cried again. ‘You would not do such a thing to an innocent girl. You would not!’

      It pained Amelie to see Edmund lowered in Tess’s eyes.

      ‘I did do it, Tess,’ Edmund said. ‘I am responsible.’

      Amelie broke in. ‘No. The fault is mine.’

      But no one listened to her.

      ‘I do not know how he convinced you,’ her brother growled. ‘But he took advantage, of that I am certain.’

      No. She had taken advantage!

      Edmund looked Marc directly in the eye. ‘I accept my responsibility and my duty. For your sister’s sake, I will do the honourable thing.’

      Marc’s eyes flashed. ‘Honourable. There is nothing honourable in what you have done. This will cause our family more scandal.’

      ‘I cannot change what happened,’ Edmund said. ‘But I can do what is right now.’

      Marc swung to Amelie. ‘You still need Papa’s approval, you know. He will never give it.’

      ‘He will give permission,’ Tess said

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