Martha Schroeder Read Online Free Page B

or indeed anyone who had an interest besides amusing themselves. He had encountered many such men at the duke’s masculine dinners. But Amy knew he avoided dandies and sportsmen, lapsing into a brooding silence on the few occasions he had encountered them in her presence.
    But she had never been aware of exactly how Gideon related to women other than herself. Why was that? When she gave it a moment’s thought, she realized Gideon avoided ton parties. Occasionally he would escort her to the theater or the opera, both of which she adored, but never the usual routs and musicales she attended.
    “I do not know if he will come,” she said slowly to Jane as her mind assimilated this startling fact. “I find I know practically nothing of his social life. I suppose it is because he has been away with the army, and we have grown apart. I used to understand him so well.”
    For a horrified moment Amelia felt tears clog her throat for the second time that evening. She could not bear the thought of embarrassing herself again. Hurriedly she rose to her feet and held out both her hands to Jane. “I must go. Thank you for giving me carte blanche to impose on your hospitality. I may have to take advantage of it sooner than I would wish. I have the feeling that Eustace and his mother are going to spare no effort to keep me at Doncaster House for Christmas.”
     

Chapter Three
     
    Amelia was more prescient than she knew.
    After a long discussion with his mama, Eustace presented himself at Doncaster House the next afternoon. It was Wednesday, Amelia’s day to receive callers. As he intended, he was the first to arrive. He greeted her with an effusion of compliments carried on a wave of scent. It was all Amelia could do not to back away in revulsion.
    “My dear cousin, how lovely you look. Black becomes you. You should always wear it.” When Amelia remained silent, Eustace seemed to realize how unfortunate that remark was. He hastened to make amends. “Of course, one does understand that you wear it not for fashion’s sake but to honor your dear papa. Such a loss to everyone. I myself was devastated, truly. That was why I did not attend his funeral. It was simply too painful.”
    Here, Eustace put his hand over his heart, and Amelia had to suck her breath in sharply to keep from telling him exactly what she thought of his supposed grief. You managed to overcome your grief enough to come to hear his will read, she thought wrathfully. You odious toad!
    If Eustace noticed the dangerous sparkle in her narrowed eyes, he ignored it. Other callers arrived just then, and he had no further opportunity for private conversation with Amelia. Since he hoped to further his suit and reinforce his mother’s invitation to spend Christmas with them, he determined to stay until everyone else departed.
    Those hopes were dashed when Gideon Falconer entered the drawing room a few minutes later. Eustace noted that the cavalry captain lacked his own ease of address. Falconer stood stiffly, holding a glass of sherry but never drinking from it and looking around with an unsmiling mien. Enough to frighten most guests into leaving immediately. The icy look he gave Eustace left the duke in no doubt as to his feelings. Eustace shrugged. A nobody. A captaincy purchased by the old duke-more money wasted, damn him. Who would have Gideon Falconer now that his patron was dead? His dark, brooding looks might remind women of Lord Byron, but with no family and no fortune, he would be lucky to find himself a provincial miss with a mustache and a modest dowry.
    Amelia watched Eustace preen. He’s looking at Gideon as if he were beneath contempt! she thought. Give a man like Eustace a title, and he prances about the world as if he owned it! She turned away in disgust and crossed the room to greet Lady Maltby, one of her father’s oldest friends.
    “Amelia, my dear, it is so nice to see Eustace here,” Lady Maltby said. “I am happy there will be no rift in your