The Heiress of Winterwood - By Sarah Ladd Page 0,3
over the arm of his chair and stare at his daughter.
As Sally fussed over the refreshments, Amelia feigned interest but kept her peripheral gaze fixed on the father and daughter. For the first time, the captain smiled at the baby, who promptly rewarded him with a grin. He reached into the cradle and pulled out a small wooden horse. Lucy grabbed it and stared in wonder before banging it against a nearby flower stand. Amelia’s heart raced. The scene made her feel more like an intruder in her home than heiress to the estate. Desperate to keep her hands busy when she could find no words to speak, Amelia dismissed the maid and moved to stoke the dying fire.
“I must correct you.”
Amelia turned from the fireplace, poker still in hand. “Pardon me?”
“You were mistaken when you said, ‘We meet at last.’ I doubt you remember, but we’ve met before.”
The poker clattered as she returned it to the stand. “Have we?” Amelia pushed her hair from her flushed face and moved to pour him a cup of tea. The task should have been simple, but her hands trembled and the steaming liquid threatened to splash onto the saucer.
“I lived in Darbury for the first twelve years of my life. I remember seeing you when you were not much older than my Lucy.”
Amelia handed the captain the tea, poured a cup for herself, and settled into the chair opposite him.
He looked over his shoulder. “Is your uncle not at home?”
Amelia shook her head. “Uncle George has traveled to Leeds on business. He should return tomorrow. My aunt is away also, calling on an acquaintance.”
The captain stretched out a booted foot. His posture relaxed. “Well, as I understand from my brother, you are the person to whom I am indebted. Not your uncle.”
Heat crept up from the neckline of her dress, and she looked down at her hands. “You are not indebted to me, sir.”
“I cannot begin to thank you for the care you showed my wife. And for what you have done for my daughter—I could never repay you.”
Uncomfortable under the weight of his attention, she jumped up from her chair and crossed to the window. She drew back the curtains, allowing a fresh wave of gray morning light to flood the room. “How long do you intend to stay in Darbury, Captain?”
“Just long enough to find suitable arrangements for Lucy. I must return to my duties within the month. I hope to have everything settled by then.”
A month. She sank her teeth into her lower lip and moved to the desk. The letter lay right where she had left it. She tapped it lightly. If she waited too much longer, she might lose her nerve. “I think I may be able to help you find care for Lucy.”
Interest flashed in his eyes. “I would be most grateful for any assistance. I have met with two nurses since my return to England. They were unimpressive at best.”
At least he is open to a discussion. She took a steadying breath. “Before Katherine died, I made her two promises. The first was to give you this.” Amelia picked up the letter and held it at arm’s length.
Captain Sterling eyed the correspondence. As he reached to take it, Amelia noticed a wide purple scar that crossed over the top of his hand and disappeared under his coat’s cuff. The scar looked fresh. She diverted her eyes and thrust the letter into his hand.
He flipped the sealed letter to read the inscription. His countenance sobered. He stood and took a cautious step in her direction. “This is from my wife?”
“Yes, written a few days before she died. She asked that I place it directly in your hand.” When he failed to respond, she continued. “She was afraid it would never reach you if we sent it by post.”
The captain stared at the letter, his square jaw clenched, his expression controlled. He looked from the unopened letter, to his daughter, and then to Amelia. But even as his eyes met hers, Amelia sensed his mind was far away. He seemed to look right through her.
He tucked the unread letter in his pocket and sat down again. “You said you made two promises, Miss Barrett. What was the second?”
Amelia returned to the chair opposite her guest. She paused long enough to regain control of her emotions before speaking. “I promised to stay with Lucy always. Never to leave her alone.”