The Heiress of Winterwood - By Sarah Ladd Page 0,1
of your carrying on. The last thing we want is for her to be out of sorts when she finally meets her papa.”
Helena huffed. “Don’t you dare change the subject, Amelia Barrett. The child is fine. It’s you who is clearly daft. How could you even consider proposing to a man—and a veritable stranger at that? It’s just not done.”
Amelia lowered Lucy into a small cradle. “Captain Sterling is not a stranger. Well, not really. And as I told you before, I am resolved. Let us speak of it no more. Now, will you kindly hand me that coverlet?”
Helena snatched the yellow knit blanket and tossed it in her cousin’s direction. “And what do you think Mr. Littleton will think about this, hmm? Five weeks, Amelia. Need I remind you that you are to marry in five weeks? Why, for you even to have a private meeting with another man, let alone—”
“Shhh! There’s no need to get so excited.” Amelia averted her eyes as she coaxed the conversation back to the captain. “There is no impropriety in my meeting with Captain Sterling. He has every right to visit his daughter. After all, she’s nine months old, and he’s never even laid eyes on her. And my proposal to Captain Sterling will be a business proposition, nothing more. If he refuses it, no harm is done. Edward need never know.”
“No harm? No harm!” Helena’s hazel eyes widened. “Do you not consider your reputation? I shudder to think what will happen when news of this reaches the gossipmongers. Edward could think—”
“He could think a number of things, Helena, and will no doubt do so. But I cannot stand by and say nothing. Do nothing. For if I did, Captain Sterling could take Lucy away from us forever, and that I could not bear. Furthermore, I will not break my promise to Katherine.”
A pretty pout darkened Helena’s fair features, and she tipped her small nose in the air.
“You and Mrs. Sterling may have grown close, but you had not known her a year before she died. I sincerely doubt she would expect you to go to such drastic measures to keep a promise.” She leaned closer, not allowing Amelia to look away. “And need I mention that you have never even met this man, this captain? He could be a monster—a scoundrel who will take advantage of your giving nature. Why subject yourself to such a fate and risk your fortune when you already have secured such a fine match in Edward Littleton?”
Helena’s warning resonated with Amelia. Had not those concerns crossed her mind? The thought of being bound in matrimony to a cruel man sent a shiver through her. But had Katherine not praised the captain’s fine qualities? His gentleness? His upright character?
Amelia set her lips in a firm line. This was a risk she was willing to take. “He cannot be that dreadful, Cousin, else Katherine would never have married him. Besides, he is a captain in His Majesty’s navy. You’ve heard the stories as well as I. He will be gone for months—nay, years—at a time, at least for as long as England is at war. No doubt we will live completely separate lives.”
“But Mr. Littleton, Amelia. Consider Mr. Littleton.” Helena’s voice softened. “He loves you, I am certain. Why would you treat him so unkindly and risk a happy marriage for a child who is not even a blood relation?” Helena stepped toward Lucy, looked down at her, and smoothed the child’s blanket. “It pains me to speak to you so bluntly, Amelia, but I love you too much to watch you proceed in such a fashion without at least speaking my mind. You have far too wonderful a future ahead of you to risk it now.”
Amelia opened her mouth to protest but then snapped it shut. She could not deny that her cousin’s point was valid. But how could she make Helena understand her dilemma? She would never have agreed to marry Edward Littleton had she not been genuinely fond of the man. Indeed, his handsome face and passionate nature still had the ability to stir her romantic sensibilities. But as their wedding drew closer, her hesitation mounted. His actions—including his refusal to allow Lucy to continue to reside at Winterwood after their wedding—had planted questions in her mind regarding his character and suitability as a husband. And the thought of her sweet Lucy being raised without a mother, as she had been, unnerved her.