Lady Amelia's Secret Lover by Victoria Alexander Read Free Book Online Page B

point to it?”
    “Patience, Harry.” Amelia flipped through the pages. “ This evening Harry told me my eyes were as blue as a summer sky and my lips were like cherries ripe for the picking. I wonder how long, and to what purpose, Robert and Harry will continue their charade, as Robert has well and truly won my heart .” She glanced at him. “Goodness, Harry, couldn’t you have thought of something more original?”
    “It was original the first time I said it,” he muttered. “You do realize, everything I did was in an effort to help my brother win your hand? Indeed it was at his request that I attempted to engage your affections. Robert knows all about this.”
    “I suspect Robert doesn’t know everything,” she said mildly and turned the page. “ Harry kissed me tonight, and I cannot believe it was in Robert’s interests but I was too startled to protest. I have had enough of these games. I shall tell Robert that I know of their deception and tell him as well of his brother’s liberties although I fear the consequences of such confession .”
    Harry considered her for a long moment. “Why didn’t you tell him?”
    “Why?” She shrugged. “I couldn’t tell him about your kiss because to do so would have revealed that I knew of your deception all along. Which no doubt would have made Robert feel like a fool, and I didn’t want that. Furthermore, I doubt your actions were what Robert had in mind when you took his place. To tell him might have created a rift between the two of you.” She shook her head. “I am too close to my own sisters to ever want to do that to anyone and his brother.”
    “Thank you,” he said simply.
    “You are most welcome. Now, however, it’s been six years, and as much as my reasons for keeping silent haven’t changed, I am, as I mentioned, desperate. I am not above using the revelation of this incident to Robert to gain your assistance.” She smiled in a cordial manner.
    His eyes narrowed. “This is blackmail.”
    “I know,” she said brightly. “It’s quite invigorating.”
    “As I have no choice, I’ll do what you want.” He rose to his feet. “I shall have flowers delivered later today.”
    She stood. “Anonymously of course.”
    “Of course.”
    “And you won’t repeat a word of anything we’ve said to your brother?”
    His jaw tightened. “Of course not.”
    “I have your word on that?”
    He nodded. “You do.”
    She moved to the door and pulled it open. “Then I assume you’ll want to be on your way. You have a campaign of seduction to plan.”
    “Apparently.” He stepped to the door, then paused. “Just out of my own sense of importance and curiosity, was there ever a moment when you considered choosing a different brother?”
    “Do you wish me to be honest?”
    “As painful as honesty might be,” he said wryly, “yes.”
    “As you wish.” She drew a deep breath. “When I looked into your eyes I saw desire. Flattering, but not at all different from what other women saw. When I looked into Robert’s, I saw forever. Robert is like a good English oak. Strong and sturdy, and you know he will be there always. You are akin to an ornamental specimen tree. Quite pleasant to have in one’s garden and most amusing, but not at all dependable in a storm.”
    He winced. “That’s rather harsh, isn’t it?”
    “Is it?”
    “Perhaps not.” He stepped through the doorway. “Good day, Amelia.”
    “Good day, Harry.” She closed the door behind him and sank against it, the smile fading from her face.
    She had no idea if the course she had begun was brilliant or foolish to the point of stupidity. She only knew that there was an awful fear inside her, and she had to do something, even if that something was wrong.
    Amelia Bannister Hathaway had never in her life doubted herself. And she had never dreamed shewould doubt her husband. Now she was in the dreadful position of doubting both, and for the first time wondered if this would end well. And