The Mistress of Hanover Square by Anne Herries Page B

for a motive.’
    ‘I cannot think of anyone I have offended other than my brother.’ Amelia sighed and looked distressed. ‘Perhaps you are right—there is no other explanation.’
    ‘Unless I have an enemy…’
    ‘Gerard?’ Amelia’s eyes widened. ‘Have you thought of someone?’
    ‘Unfortunately, no. I dare say I have enemies, though none I would have thought…there isNorthaven, of course. He may hate me enough to threaten, but to kill you…’ He shook his head. ‘I cannot think it, Amelia. He might wound me in a duel if he could or knock me down, but truth to tell I do not see him as a murderer.’
    ‘I do not see my brother in that light. A bully—yes.’
    ‘It is difficult. All we can do is wait until he shows himself—whoever he is. I have agents who may discover something, but…it might be best to delay the announcement of our engagement.’
    ‘You would give in to him? Surely that way he wins? And if my fortune is his object…’ Amelia waved her hand in distress. ‘As you say, it is difficult. If you wish to withdraw—’
    ‘Damn it, no! You cannot think it, Amelia?’
    ‘No…forgive me. I hardly know what I am thinking.’
    ‘All I want is to make you happy.’
    ‘Then we shall not allow this person to dictate to us. I dare say there is some risk if we go ahead and announce the engagement but there is risk in any case. At the moment our enemy is merely a shadow. Perhaps when he sees he cannot bully us he will step out into the light.’
    ‘You are both wise and brave,’ Gerard murmured, taking her gloved hand to kiss it. ‘Now we shall talk of happier things? How many guests shall we invite to our wedding—and do you think we should hold an engagement ball?’
    ‘Oh, I think we shall give a ball on the eve of the wedding. I believe that will be sufficient. Shall weall go down to Ravenshead after the Coleridge ball? I think I should like to see your home, Gerard—and we must discuss what I ought to do with Aunt Agatha’s estate. I told you that I thought we should sell some of the property, but she loved that house and I am very fond of the garden…’
    Amelia was feeling more settled in her mind when they returned to the house an hour or so after they left it. They had discussed most aspects of the wedding and settled that they would keep Amelia’s home and also the house in Bath and Gerard’s London house, which was larger than her own. Most of the other property would be sold or let to tenants, and the money invested in some form of trust for their children. However, the identity of the person who was trying to prevent their marriage remained a mystery. She knew that Gerard still felt her brother the most likely culprit, though he intended to set his agents the task of discovering if either of them was being watched. There was nothing more they could do for the moment except be vigilant.
    Amelia parted from Gerard and went upstairs to her own apartments to change into a more suitable gown. She noticed that the blue velvet cloak she had loaned Emily was not lying on a chair in the sitting room. She could not recall if it had been there when she left earlier that morning, because she had been in too much hurry. Either Emily had taken it and gone out or she had tidied it away. Perhaps she was in her room now.
    Amelia knocked at the door. Receiving no answer, she opened it and went in. As the maid had saidearlier, the bed had been made and the room was tidy, as always. The gold purse Amelia had given Emily for Christmas was lying on the dressing table, as were one or two other gifts. It was a little odd that Emily should leave them lying there; she would normally have put them in her dressing case for safety. Amelia had an odd sensation, a feeling that Emily might have done something foolish. Surely she had not run away? Or something more desperate! Chills ran down Amelia’s spine as she recalled her childhood friend Lucinda’s terrible fate. A few years ago, Lucinda had taken