The Lady and the Earl (Seabrook Family Saga) by Christine Donovan Page A

here?”
    “Yes,” Amesbury pointed in the other direction. “There she is, with
Lady Anne. Captain Rycroft’s younger sister is having her first Season. I don’t
see the older Rycroft, the one who recently inherited his father’s title.”
    “Yes, I remember hearing about the Marquess of Dartmouth’s death. Oh,
dear, I don’t think I can face them.” Did she have the courage to talk to them,
knowing she hid such a shocking secret from them? And did they not wonder about
the rumors being said?
    Amelia closed her eyes and prayed she did not cast up her accounts
right here in front of all these people. How could she face Daniel’s mother,
having kept his child from them? What would they think of her if they knew?
Would they shun her or welcome her and Olivia into their family? Her body
shuddered. It did not matter. If things went the way her mother and brothers
planned, his family would never know. And that brought Amelia even more guilt.
    “Oh, dear, are they coming this way?” she whispered, close to
Amesbury’s ear.
    “Yes, I do believe they are,” Amesbury replied as he spotted them
heading in their direction.
    Amelia squeezed his hand. “What am I to do?”
    The next several minutes seemed surreal. She felt as though a puppet
master controlled her every move.
    “Lady Amelia,” Lady Dartmouth murmured, hugging her close. When had
she stood up? “How lovely you look.” Oh, dear, Daniel’s mother’s eyes
watered. “You remember my daughter, Lady Anne?”
    “Yes. Lady Anne. Are you enjoying your first Season?” Amelia asked.
    Pretty, petite, and blonde, Lady Anne glanced at Amesbury and blushed.
“Yes. I am.”
    The Dowager Marchioness of Dartmouth took Amelia by the arm and led her
away. “Now, my dear, you must tell me all about your adventure in America.”
    Amelia went on to describe her time in New Bedford, leaving out certain
pertinent facts. “I am sorry I didn’t write more often. I just…”
    Lady Dartmouth squeezed her arm. “I understand, dear. It was a terrible
time for all of us. I must say it’s nice to have you back.” She waved to
someone across the room. “You remember my other son, David. He’s a captain now,
just like Daniel.”
    Surely Amelia had not heard Lady Dartmouth correctly. It was not what she said but how she said it. Amelia hoped Lady Dartmouth did not
have aspirations about her marrying David.
    “Son, look who is back from America. Lady Amelia.”
    David was the newest Captain Rycroft, she would forever stammer upon
saying that. In her mind, only one Captain Rycroft existed, and he was dead.
    “Lady Amelia,” Rycroft said, bowing over the hand she offered. He
brought it to his lips and held it there just a tad too long. Surely Daniel’s
younger brother was not flirting with her?
    “Captain Rycroft, how nice to see you again.” But it really wasn’t, as
he resembled his brother. And David’s eyes, Daniel’s eyes, were Olivia’s eyes.
Tears pooled in hers and she fought their release. Except one lone tear escaped
to slide down her face.
    Rycroft must have noticed because he blushed. “Lady Amelia, I am sorry
to upset you. Please forgive me. I know I resemble my brother.”
    “It’s quite all right. The similarity just surprised me. I had not noticed
it when you were younger,” Amelia replied.
    The look that was exchanged between mother and son chilled her. Clearly
Lady Dartmouth wanted the new captain to take his brother’s place. How could
she be so coldhearted?
    “Lady Amelia, may I call on you sometime?” Sympathy shone in David’s
eyes. No matter what his mother wanted, she sensed David had other plans.
Amelia’s body relaxed in the knowledge he only played along with his mother.
    “Why, David––I mean, Captain Rycroft––please do. But not tomorrow, for
I will not be home.”
    Rycroft bowed, “The day after perhaps.” He glanced toward Lady
Dartmouth. “Mother. Lady Amelia. I beg your leave.”
    After he left, Amelia had to listen