Duty to Love Read Online Free

for teasing in the past; in fact his sense of humor was a newly
developed side of his character that spending time in close proximity with
Amelia had brought out. He felt comfortable being less reserved around her. He liked
to tease her and watch her color rise in response.
    “Practice,
I definitely need practice. I think a kiss with Amelia is the perfect place to
start.”
    Relief
filled Arthur. James had taken his teasing well. The tension from their earlier
confrontation seemed to have dissipated. Admittedly James hadn't committed to
trying to seduce Amelia together, but it appeared as if they were going to see
how it all played out.
    “We
will have to move quickly and pay a visit to Amelia this afternoon. We'll let
her know you're back and invite her to go for a walk. If we can create an
opportunity for us both to touch her, maybe even kiss her all the better,”
Arthur said, a hint of eagerness making his words come quickly.
    “Very
well, we'll go see Amelia this afternoon. I hope she will be pleased to see
me.” James finally ceased his perpetual movement and sank into one of the
winged arm chairs Arthur kept on either side of the fireplace.
    Arthur
joined him clarifying his intentions. “I want us together in this from the
start. I wish to consummate the marriage, and fully intend to do so tomorrow
night, but, Amelia willing, I hope you will join us, so there are no closed
doors between us. Anything else will be up to Amelia.”  
    “Let
us see how this afternoon goes first.”
    Arthur
got the impression there was something James wasn't saying, but didn't want to
push him on it now they appeared to be in agreement. He just prayed this
afternoon went well.
     

Chapter Two
     
    Amelia
smoothed her hands down the front of her pastel blue dress, the flats of her
palms gently tracing the folds of muslin that gathered under her bust before
falling past her hip to the floor. It was one of her better dresses—reserved
for visiting neighbors—and without the telltale scuffs and stains that
accompanied any of her other dresses worn out of the house during the day.
    When
seeing Arthur, she always had the desire to look her best, not because she
thought he minded how she looked, and certainly not because of her parents'
wish that she look the part of a countess in preparation for fulfilling the
role, but because the thought of Arthuralways so well
turned out, always thinking of others—made her aspire to improve those aspects
of herself she wasn't happy with. Arthur was always sure to notice the details
of appearance, and Amelia couldn't help wanting to be perfect for him, to be a
blessing, not a hindrance.
    She
still found it difficult to believe that tomorrow they were to be married.
Being a countess certainly didn't fit with the image she had of herself. The
idea that Arthur—an earl, so sure of himself, so much older than she—would want
her for a wife seemed ludicrous. He was everything a gentleman should be in
looks and temperament.  
    She
supposed he was only a little taller than average, but the width of his
shoulders and the strength of his presence made him stand out when in a room
with others. And despite his somewhat austere persona when in social circles,
he never had a harsh word for anyone. Whether family, servants, or tenants, he
spoke to all with respect. During his frequent visits while Francine was ill,
he would sit and converse with Amelia attentively, showing interest not just
with whatever she had recently been engaged in, but more often her thoughts and
opinions. Amelia didn't feel she could possibly deserve such a man.
    The
thought of attaining something she'd always viewed as out of reach was almost
unbearably exciting. Through all the time they had spent in each other’s
company, Amelia had been aware that Arthur must see her as a younger sister,
rather than a woman, his equal.
    As a
consequence her mind hadn't stopped racing since Arthur has proposed. She kept
going over and over the moment