Lady Amelia's Mess and a Half (14 page)

There was a light knock at the drawing room door.

Amelia rose from the settee, a stiff smile straining her lips. “It will be impossible to forget Mr. Hillary by the morrow as he is our escort this evening.”

Bibi whipped around with a gasp. Her expression was a perfect reflection of betrayal and outrage.

Amelia held up her hand to halt her friend’s arguments. “I refuse to discuss this any further tonight. If you do not wish to join us, you may decline. But it would mean a lot to me if you accompanied us and tried to become better acquainted with Mr. Hillary. I am extremely fond of him.”

“You should have given me more notice. I cannot leave now without insulting the gentleman.”

Amelia smiled at Bibi’s show of defiance. She would never admit to concessions of any kind, but she made them for Amelia.

“I suppose you are correct, dearest. Next time I will exercise more courtesy.”

Jake was ready to abandon all attempts to draw Lady Kennell into conversation. The evening reeked of failure, and they had yet to cross Westminster Bridge en route to the pleasure gardens.

Amelia’s troubled gaze met his when their companion turned her face toward the window. He concealed his frustration with a gentle smile. Last night Amelia had expressed her desire for Jake and Lady Kennell to become friendly with one another. The viscountess was like family to Amelia, the only real family she had since her father’s passing two years ago. As much as Jake wished he could dismiss Lady Kennell from their lives, it appeared he was stuck with her. Therefore, he would make every effort to win her favor.

“This is lovely,” he said. “The three of us enjoying an evening at Vauxhall together. Have you seen Madame Saqui’s rope dancing? She is a marvel.”

Lady Kennell sniffed. “I am convinced she is Old Boney in costume.”

A sharp laugh burst from his lips. Madame Saqui boasted a masculine countenance, and he could picture the resemblance. “Bonaparte posing as an acrobat? What a brilliant disguise. Should we notify the Home Office?”

A corner of Lady Kennell’s mouth curved up, though she barely graced him with a glance before returning her attention to the sights beyond the carriage window.

Perhaps all was not lost if he could coax a begrudging smile from her. When Amelia looked his way, he winked. Her reward was more gracious and heartfelt. The steps he would take to make his love happy… He sighed, resigning himself to his fate.

When the carriage stopped in front of the gates of Vauxhall Gardens, the twilight sky hinted at the darkness to come. Jake alighted first before assisting each lady down the steps. He stopped to pay nine shillings for their admittance while the ladies wandered through the gate. Amelia linked arms with him, and the three of them walked arm-in-arm along the gravel path. A breeze stirred the greenery and sent the red hanging lanterns into a frenzied dance on their lines.

“What shall we do first?” Amelia asked.

She looked to Lady Kennell for a suggestion, but the viscountess remained silent until the moment passed awkwardness and approached excruciating embarrassment.

Jake cleared his throat. “I have always enjoyed the ruins.”

“Fake,” Lady Kennell declared. “I can spot a counterfeit at a glance.”

“Bibi.” Amelia directed them toward an outer pathway marked with arches. Worrying her bottom lip, she darted her gaze between her friend and him.

Jake covered her hand with his free one to reassure her all was well. “No one has ever claimed the ruins were genuine, my lady. Nevertheless, they are interesting.”

“The first time or two they have appeal, but one soon tires of them. Wouldn’t you agree, Mr. Hillary?”

Amelia stiffened on his arm, alerting him that this conversation was about more than the garden ruins. He inferred the viscountess spoke of his association with Amelia, but he was unsure who the lady expected to tire of the other first.

“I can only speak for myself,” Jake said. “But once I admire something, my sentiment remains constant.”

“Indeed? I had the opposite impression.”

Amelia stopped in the middle of the path. “That is enough. Mr. Hillary deserves an apology at once.”

“Oh.” The viscountess’s dark eyes shimmered with tears as she looked between them. “Forgive me, Mr. Hillary. I am not myself tonight.” She broke away to rush ahead on the path.

Amelia’s hand on his arm stopped him from giving chase. She blew out a slow breath. “Please, allow us a moment alone.”

He opened his mouth to protest the wisdom of two ladies walking the gardens unescorted. “We will not go far,” she said. “Please, I realize her manners are deplorable this evening, but I know Bibi. Something is troubling her.”

Jake pressed his lips together to contain the oath on his tongue. “Very well. But I insist on following at a distance.”

“We need privacy, Jake. I will catch up to her then we will double back and meet you at the supper boxes.”

Pulling a handkerchief from his jacket pocket, he dabbed at the sweat dampening his brow. The night had seemed pleasant a moment ago, but somehow the air had turned hellishly hot. “You promise to hurry back?”

“I promise. I only need a moment with her.”

He gave a sharp nod then waited until she caught up to her friend and gathered her in a hug before he wheeled around to see to the supper box he had hired for the evening.

***

Amelia held her friend at arm’s length. “Bibi, what is wrong?”

“I just—” She shook her head and backed away from Amelia’s hold. “You are falling for him. What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t at least attempt to save you from further heartache?”

“Jake doesn’t wish to hurt me.”

“He already has. And I cannot for the life of me understand how you can forget.”

Amelia brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead. Her friend was unfairly judging Jake, and Amelia was to blame. She should have kept their past a secret rather than burdening her friend. “Jake has asked me to marry him.”

“Marry him?” Bibi’s eyes flew open wide. “But I didn’t think he would—blast it all! What did you say?”

“I agreed to become his wife, of course.”

“How could you?”

A spark of irritation flared inside Amelia. “You know I’ve longed for a husband and children. I thought you would be happy for me.”

Bibi hugged her arms close around her body, her gaze directed away. “I
am
happy for you, Amelia. Please, forgive me. It is just…” She sniffed and dragged her sleeve across her eyes. “I will miss you terribly.”

“Miss me? I am remaining in London, silly girl. When will you have time to miss me?”

“Nothing will be the same.” Bibi’s luminous brown eyes contrasted with her pale complexion. A cheerless smile graced her lips. “Mr. Hillary will not welcome me any time I wish to visit.”

Amelia managed to suppress her amusement. “When has that stopped you in the past? Bradford is scandalized every time you arrive before noon.”

“Yes, well, Bradford is not a husband.”

When her bottom lip trembled, Amelia’s smile faded. Poor Bibi had been exceedingly unhappy in her marriage to Lord Kennell. Ten years her senior, he had kept her isolated from everyone, even from Amelia.

“Jake will not attempt to keep us apart,” she said. “He loves me and therefore will care for the ones I love.” She wrapped her arms around her friend once again and kissed her cheek. “And I do love you, dearest. You are the sister of my heart.”

Bibi groaned and wiped the tears from her eyes as she withdrew from Amelia’s embrace. “You are a sentimental fool, Amelia Audley. If you didn’t have me in your life, you would walk around spouting mawkish nonsense all the time.”

Amelia smiled. “Then the matter is settled. You are a necessity.” She hooked her arm with Bibi’s and turned her back toward the supper boxes. “You must remain close at hand to remind me not to fall prey to my sentimental foolishness. Now, let us reunite with Mr. Hillary and enjoy our evening together, shall we?”

“Oh, very well. If you insist.” They hadn’t passed through the arch before she squeezed Amelia’s arm. “I rather like the type of fool you are. I don’t wish for you to change in the least.”

“Why, thank you. And you, dearest, are my most cherished ninnyhammer.”

Bibi chuckled, her typical bright spirits returning. They entered the rotunda where the orchestra had begun to play and made their way toward the supper boxes. Fashionably attired ladies and gentlemen gathered in clusters, chattering with one another.

Amelia pointed to the farthest box. “I believe we are dining over there this evening.”

A gentleman stepped from the crowd, startling them. “Lady Kennell?”

Bibi’s fingers tightened around Amelia’s arm and drew her closer.

“Lord Banner, we thought you were in Cardiff.” Amelia greeted the baron on behalf of Bibi and tried to guide her around him, but he stepped into their path.

“I returned this morning. Where are you ladies off to in such a hurry?”

“If you will excuse us, my lord, we are late for dinner.”

“Nonsense, it is early yet.” He grasped Bibi’s elbow and tugged her away from Amelia’s side. “Let’s stroll through the garden.”

“I must decline, my lord,” Bibi said, her voice quivering.

Instead of heeding her wishes, Lord Banner whipped her around and pulled her back toward the walkway. “Come with me, my dear, unless you wish to draw unwanted notice.”

Amelia’s heart quickened. She searched the crowd for Jake but was unable to find him. With only a brief moment of hesitation, she hurried after Bibi and the man who was the source of all her friend’s troubles.

***

Jake had waved to Amelia and Lady Kennell when he spotted them, but their view was blocked by Lord Banner’s sudden appearance. After what seemed like a polite exchange, Lady Kennell allowed the baron to escort her from the area. Amelia looked around once then dashed after them.

Hellfire.
Where were they going?

Jake elbowed his way through the crowd, mumbling his apologies when anyone protested his forward behavior. Leaving the clearing, he retraced their earlier steps, praying they stayed to the well-lit main walkway. If they traveled one of the winding trails, he might never find them. He spotted Amelia kneeling on the ground the moment he passed through the first archway. She braced her elbow on the bench beside her, stood, and took one hobbling step before lowering to the bench.

He rushed forward to assist her. “Amelia, what happened?”

She swung her head around toward him and blew out an exasperated breath, lifting wisps of hair lying on her forehead. “I turned my ankle, but I am fine. Go after Bibi before she finds herself in trouble.”

In the distance, Lady Kennell and the baron veered off the walkway and disappeared into the trees.

Blast
and
damn!
The woman lacked common sense in spades. Banner was a lewd old goat, known for taking liberties with genteel ladies. To become entangled with the gent was proof of her poor judgment. He would speak with Amelia about the dangers of an association with Banner later. Right after he saved Lady Kennell’s bacon.

As he neared the place where the couple had left the path, Lady Kennell’s silky voice drifted on the air. “Please, Charles. Not here. Someone will discover us.”

“Then tell me where. You cannot put me off again. I want to be with you, Bianca.”

Her tinkling laugh rang a note just shy of hysteria. Banner had her backed against a tree, and when he leaned forward to kiss her, she turned her face away, her eyes squeezed shut.

Jake sprang forward; a branch cracked under his boot. “Lady Kennell, there you are.”

Banner jerked back and ran a hand over his thinning hair before adjusting his jacket. “Mr. Hillary, what are you doing here?”

“I am watching out for my own, my lord. I wouldn’t want any unpleasant rumors circulating about my betrothed’s dearest companion. That would never do.”

Lady Kennell pressed back against the tree and inched away from the baron.

Jake nodded encouragingly. “Come along, my lady. Dinner will be served soon.”

When Banner made to grab her arm, Jake stepped forward, his fists raised from force of habit. The baron balked and moved away.

Lady Kennell lifted her skirts and ran the short distance to reach his side.

“Good evening, Banner,” Jake said and tucked her arm in the crook of his elbow before tipping his hat.

Lady Kennell clung to his arm as if he were a log in a river that could save her from drowning. Perhaps this once he had succeeded in playing the hero, but her imprudent choices would eventually result in trouble from which no one could rescue her. And it was his duty to make certain she brought no harm to Amelia in the process.

“Thank you, Mr. Hillary.”

“I wish I could say it is my pleasure to come to your aid, but I would prefer it if you would take better care with your decisions. Lord Banner is a rotter and undeserving of your attentions.”

“Yes, I know.”

They entered the walkway and headed in Amelia’s direction.

“You are a careless young woman,” he added, “and I do not wish for you to drag Amelia into any danger. Do you understand my meaning?”

She released his arm but stayed by his side. “I believe I take your meaning clearly, sir. You fear an association with me will sully your betrothed’s name.”

Damage to Amelia’s name was the least of his worries. She would be inconsolable if any harm came to the viscountess. “Conduct yourself with more decorum. I would not like to see her suffer because of your recklessness.”

“If you think I planned any of this—” She stood up straighter and tossed a glare at him. “Oh! Go to hell, Mr. Hillary.”

She marched ahead, arms swinging and black curls bouncing.

Amelia rose from the bench when she saw them approaching. “Bibi, thank heavens. Are you all right?”