On A Wicked Dawn by Stephanie Laurens Page B

care?”
    The gentleman studied her earnest expression, then nodded. “It will mean a lot to him, I’m sure.”
    With a bow, he turned and walked away through the trees. The young lady sighed, looked up at the distant terrace, then lifted her skirts and headed back to the house.
    â€œYour pardon, ma’am, but Lord Calverton, the Misses Ashford, and Miss Ffolliot have called.”
    Louise looked up. Amelia blinked. They were sitting at their ease in the morning room at the back of the house, Louise reading a book, Amelia on the chaise perusing the latest issue of La Belle Assemblée .
    From the comfort of her armchair, Louise shrugged. “Show them in here, Colthorpe.” As the butler bowed and retreated, Louise smiled at Amelia. “Given it’s the Ashfords, we may as well relax.”
    Amelia nodded absentmindedly, her gaze on the door. Luc had said nothing about calling this morning. After they’d returned to Lady Carstairs’s reception room, he’d remained by her side, subtly but definitely there , until the end of the night. The Ashfords had dropped her at her parents’ door; Luc had escorted her up the steps, bowed with his usual bored languor—and said not a word about any future engagement.
    The door opened; Emily, Anne, and Fiona gaily bustled in. Amelia shut the periodical and laid it aside. Luc strolled in, impeccably turned out in a dark blue coat, breeches, and Hessians, as always darkly, dangerously handsome. The girls very correctly greeted her mother; Amelia tried to catch Luc’s eye, but beyond a swift glance as he’d entered, he didn’t look her way.
    Then he was bowing over Louise’s hand, greeting her mother with his usual polished grace. Alert, Louise waved him to the chaise; instead, he misinterpreted the gesture—purposely, Amelia was sure—and bowed. “Amelia.”
    She returned his nod, then watched in bemusement as he chose the armchair alongside her mother’s and sat. The three girls fluttered over to perch around her. Luc turned to Louise; the girls turned to her.
    â€œIt’s a lovely day outside.”
    â€œSo very pleasant. Just a light breeze.”
    â€œWe’d thought to take the air in the park, but Luc suggested—“
    What Amelia wanted to know was what Luc was suggesting to her mother.
    Smiling at the tableau of her daughter surrounded by the younger girls, all chattering, Louise looked at Luc and raised her brows. “I take it you don’t find keeping an eye on Amelia as well as your sisters and Miss Ffolliot in the evenings too much of a trial?”
    Luc met her gaze, succinctly replied, “No.” Amelia was a trial, but he would manage. “Your daughter does, however, have a stubborn streak, and a tendency to go her own road, as you’re doubtless aware.”
    â€œNaturally.” Louise looked intrigued.
    He directed his gaze across the room, to where Amelia was listening to his sisters’ and Fiona’s entreaties. “She gets on well with my sisters, and my mother, too, of course, which makes things easier.”
    â€œIndeed?” The faint amusement in Louise’s voice assured him she’d followed his change of tack; she knew quite well what “things” he was referring to.
    â€œI had hoped,” he returned his gaze to Louise, “that you would approve.” He paused, then smoothly continued, “I thought a jaunt to Richmond, given the weather is so clement, would be a welcome diversion. We’re taking the open carriage, of course.”
    He awaited Louise’s verdict. She regarded him for a disconcertingly long time, but eventually smiled and inclined her head. “Richmond, then, if you think it will serve.”
    That last comment had him inwardly frowning, but he got no chance to probe for an explanation—he wasn’t even sure he wanted one; Louise turned and spoke to the girls, who’d already outlined