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.Once again her husband knocked on the door asking if she was ready to go down.Amelia, you are a strong woman.You have Smythe, his people, and your family protecting you.After tonight you can live free from worry and start working on your memory and marriage.Work on being the best mother in the world to Olivia.Now, go downstairs and put on a performance worthy of the stage.“Gretchen, please stop fussing and let my husband in.”William looked splendid in his formal wear.He’d dressed completely in black, excluding his white shirt and silver cravat.One glance at his feet and she hid a smile.Her brother Wentworth and William had much in common.Black boots were her brother’s style.They were her husband’s as well.“Is there something wrong with my attire?” William asked.“No, nothing at all.You look splendid.”“And you, my dear, look beautiful.That apricot dress suits you.And the matching flowers tucked into your hair make me want to pluck them out one by one—I’m sorry.I embarrassed you.I keep forgetting you don’t know me.”“Perhaps, after I come face to face with my attacker, my memory will miraculously return,” Amelia said as she placed her gloved hand on her husband’s arm.“Nothing would please me more.” William patted her hand.“Are you afraid?”“Terrified.I do not believe I will be able to eat anything this evening.”“Me neither.My stomach has been revolting all day,” William said as they appeared at the top of the winding staircase.At the bottom Wentworth and Emma stood elegantly dressed, waiting for them.“Easy,” William said as he slowed his steps, forcing Amelia to slow as well.Amelia curtsied when she reached the bottom.“Wentworth.Emma.”William bowed.“Your Graces.”“Amelia,” Wentworth said, “you are just in time.Our guests are arriving.”“Yes, Wentworth, I am aware of it.” Amelia tried not to feel guilty for being tardy.“Oh, dear…” Her hand flew to her chest.“Yarmouth is the first to arrive.And who is that lady on his arm?”“The lady, as you say, is the Widow Baroness Langford,” Wentworth replied.“She was once the most sought-after courtesan in London until she married the Baron Langford.I should ring Yarmouth’s neck for bringing her here tonight.”“If he’s the one, I’d enjoy doing much more than that,” William added with a snarl.“Gentlemen,” Emma interrupted, “behave yourselves.We have guests to receive and a show to perform.”Emma, always the consummate duchess, led them into the foyer where they lined up for the receiving line.Amelia, standing beside her husband, her heart beating furiously, her body trembling, began the tedious task of welcoming everyone to their marriage celebration.Did no one in the ton stay home this evening?She knew most attended to hear the gossip being whispered about her and William.That didn’t bother her this evening, as their goal was to catch a murderer.If things went as planned, the gossipmongers would have their juicy story tomorrow.When the receiving line ended, Amelia wanted nothing more than to collapse into a chair to give her weak legs a rest.William had other plans.They took to the dance floor as the orchestra struck up the first set.When a waltz played, William escorted her to the refreshment table, spoke words of encouragement, and disappeared with worry etched on his face.The show would begin.Beneath her silk skirts, Amelia’s knees wobbled.The trembling in her hands made it impossible to drink her punch without spilling it over the rim of the glass.She gave up trying and placed the cup on a tray.“Excuse me, Countess, may I have this dance?” Amelia was not at all surprised to hear Yarmouth’s voice, although it sent chills up her spine.She may not remember the night he tried to rape her, but she had been told about it.“Your Grace,” she said with a false smile, “I would be honored.” Yarmouth led her onto the crowded ballroom floor.“I must say I was surprised to get this evening’s invitation.I thought your brother despised me.” He paused and led her into a turn.When she did not respond, he continued speaking.“Marriage suits you.You look lovely.I understand your memory has not returned,” he said as he pulled her in a little too close for proper waltzing standards.His hold was so tight she could not move away at all.“Thank you, Your Grace.And no, sadly, I have no memory of the past two years,” she said as she looked him in the eye.She had been told what happened in the garden when Yarmouth had behaved so badly.How could she once have thought him young and innocent? His eyes led her into his secret world of debauchery and violence.Nothing innocent existed inside him.She had no recollection of being engaged to him [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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.Once again her husband knocked on the door asking if she was ready to go down.Amelia, you are a strong woman.You have Smythe, his people, and your family protecting you.After tonight you can live free from worry and start working on your memory and marriage.Work on being the best mother in the world to Olivia.Now, go downstairs and put on a performance worthy of the stage.“Gretchen, please stop fussing and let my husband in.”William looked splendid in his formal wear.He’d dressed completely in black, excluding his white shirt and silver cravat.One glance at his feet and she hid a smile.Her brother Wentworth and William had much in common.Black boots were her brother’s style.They were her husband’s as well.“Is there something wrong with my attire?” William asked.“No, nothing at all.You look splendid.”“And you, my dear, look beautiful.That apricot dress suits you.And the matching flowers tucked into your hair make me want to pluck them out one by one—I’m sorry.I embarrassed you.I keep forgetting you don’t know me.”“Perhaps, after I come face to face with my attacker, my memory will miraculously return,” Amelia said as she placed her gloved hand on her husband’s arm.“Nothing would please me more.” William patted her hand.“Are you afraid?”“Terrified.I do not believe I will be able to eat anything this evening.”“Me neither.My stomach has been revolting all day,” William said as they appeared at the top of the winding staircase.At the bottom Wentworth and Emma stood elegantly dressed, waiting for them.“Easy,” William said as he slowed his steps, forcing Amelia to slow as well.Amelia curtsied when she reached the bottom.“Wentworth.Emma.”William bowed.“Your Graces.”“Amelia,” Wentworth said, “you are just in time.Our guests are arriving.”“Yes, Wentworth, I am aware of it.” Amelia tried not to feel guilty for being tardy.“Oh, dear…” Her hand flew to her chest.“Yarmouth is the first to arrive.And who is that lady on his arm?”“The lady, as you say, is the Widow Baroness Langford,” Wentworth replied.“She was once the most sought-after courtesan in London until she married the Baron Langford.I should ring Yarmouth’s neck for bringing her here tonight.”“If he’s the one, I’d enjoy doing much more than that,” William added with a snarl.“Gentlemen,” Emma interrupted, “behave yourselves.We have guests to receive and a show to perform.”Emma, always the consummate duchess, led them into the foyer where they lined up for the receiving line.Amelia, standing beside her husband, her heart beating furiously, her body trembling, began the tedious task of welcoming everyone to their marriage celebration.Did no one in the ton stay home this evening?She knew most attended to hear the gossip being whispered about her and William.That didn’t bother her this evening, as their goal was to catch a murderer.If things went as planned, the gossipmongers would have their juicy story tomorrow.When the receiving line ended, Amelia wanted nothing more than to collapse into a chair to give her weak legs a rest.William had other plans.They took to the dance floor as the orchestra struck up the first set.When a waltz played, William escorted her to the refreshment table, spoke words of encouragement, and disappeared with worry etched on his face.The show would begin.Beneath her silk skirts, Amelia’s knees wobbled.The trembling in her hands made it impossible to drink her punch without spilling it over the rim of the glass.She gave up trying and placed the cup on a tray.“Excuse me, Countess, may I have this dance?” Amelia was not at all surprised to hear Yarmouth’s voice, although it sent chills up her spine.She may not remember the night he tried to rape her, but she had been told about it.“Your Grace,” she said with a false smile, “I would be honored.” Yarmouth led her onto the crowded ballroom floor.“I must say I was surprised to get this evening’s invitation.I thought your brother despised me.” He paused and led her into a turn.When she did not respond, he continued speaking.“Marriage suits you.You look lovely.I understand your memory has not returned,” he said as he pulled her in a little too close for proper waltzing standards.His hold was so tight she could not move away at all.“Thank you, Your Grace.And no, sadly, I have no memory of the past two years,” she said as she looked him in the eye.She had been told what happened in the garden when Yarmouth had behaved so badly.How could she once have thought him young and innocent? His eyes led her into his secret world of debauchery and violence.Nothing innocent existed inside him.She had no recollection of being engaged to him [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]