Unlocking the Secrets of a Duke’s Heart - Abby Ayles Page 0,2

cares for you, and I expect he misses you as much as you miss him. Your brother deserves to have time with you, and you with him.”

“We shall,” Amelia said. “I am certain of it. He was so upset over that woman, and I do not think that he even truly considered the fact that he could have done far better than her to begin with.”

She had always tried not to judge her brother for his choice, but it had bothered her that he had decided to marry someone so far away from England, someone who would have taken him even further from them than he already was.

Still, she could not have told him of her disapproval. Not only had she wanted to appear supportive of his happiness, but she knew her opinion would hardly have mattered anyway.

The fact that they had not married had been something of a relief, and yet Amelia was still not entirely sure how she could tell her brother that when he was grieving so deeply.

Hopefully, she would not have to. Hopefully, the subject would not even arise.

“Well, at any rate, I am looking forward to your brother’s arrival. I cannot wait for him to return and ward off all those boys out there who are wanting to marry you purely for the sake of our fortune,” Beatrice said with a grimace.

Amelia laughed.

“Oh, I should like that very much,” she replied.

“And dare I say, if you do not soon marry, I believe that you shall wither like the pages of a book. Like that one,” Beatrice said, pointing to the rather aged book that rested beside Amelia.

But Amelia shook her head and sighed.

“Oh, Grandmama, you know that I am not interested in all that. Not now, at least,” she said, meaning the words sincerely.

“Oh? Not a single man on the list has managed to capture your interest?” Beatrice asked, although Amelia was quite certain that she knew the answer well enough.

“Not a one, Grandmama,” she replied.

“If I were a little younger, I would gladly shorten your list by one,” her grandmother said, sighing dramatically.

“Grandmama! Good heavens,” Amelia exclaimed with a chuckle.

She was delighted that her grandmother could always draw such emotions from her, always amuse her with such teasing. At times, it felt as though her grandmother were a younger sister of sorts.

Although she would have been delighted to have her mother, Amelia recognized the sacrifices that her grandmother had made in raising her and taking care of her. She was deeply fortunate and made every effort to appreciate her grandmother, and not take her for granted.

Still, she often found herself in the greatest deal of mischief, thanks to Beatrice.

But Jacob would be coming the following day! She would don a beautiful gown to greet her brother, make every effort to help him feel at home and forget about that dreadful woman from the New World who had broken his heart.

Beyond that, Amelia could only imagine what might come next. She hoped that everything would settle down for her brother, and that he would find a good English lady who would make him happy.

Perhaps, then, he would stay in place and not be so determined with his adventuring and nonsensical demands to explore the world.

"Anyway, I simply wished to remind you to prepare yourself," her grandmother said.

"Certainly, Grandmama," she replied.

“And I ought also to warn you that he, too, is planning to help us in our quest to have you married off. I have already written to him and instructed him to be prepared to help you find the best match," Beatrice said.

Amelia could not hide her displeasure, but she knew that there was no point in fighting her grandmother about it. This was one area in which they would never agree.

Beatrice was rather desperate to see Amelia married. Everyone was. No matter how young she was, no matter how many suitors had been badgering her for attention, she could not convince her family to simply be patient and wait.

She looked around the room at everything her family had. The beautiful manor that held many rooms like this one, complete with the fireplace, and the mantle, and the most elegant settee.

Yes, they were fortunate. No wonder she had men surrounding her. There was no reason to fear the possibility of being alone.

“What is it? What are you thinking?" her grandmother asked.

Amelia sighed, and scrunched up her face.

"I know you all mean well, but I simply cannot bear the thought of marrying a man just for