The Heiress of Winterwood by Sarah Ladd Page B

returned it to her lap. “I doubt it. You know Mr. Sterling’s disposition. He’s of a selfish bent, and he would hardly be a suitable guardian for a child. I don’t like to repeat rumors, but it is said he has lost his entire fortune at the tables. The lot of it. Mr. Hammond tells me he has heard reports that Mr. Sterling is trying to sell part of his land. Can you imagine?”
    “And what of the captain?” Amelia leaned in closer to her friend. “Does he have the means to support Lucy?”
    Jane nodded. “Indeed. Though he did not inherit his family’s estate, I have it on good authority that he has done very well in his own right. Of course, Mr. Hammond knows a great deal more about these things than I, but I understand the ship under Captain Sterling’s command has been integral to the blockade efforts along the American coast, and in addition to his military conquests he has overtaken several merchant vessels. Mr. Hammond said the spoils have made him quite wealthy. It’s not for me to say, but it seems Mr. William Sterling would do well to hand over the running of Eastmore to his brother.”
    Amelia had to smile at that. Her friend seldom found herself at a loss for something to say and was always quick to share her opinion. She tucked her hands beneath her napkin. “Did the captain say anything to you about his intentions for Lucy?”
    Jane lowered her napkin to her lap and smoothed the amber silk fabric of her gown. “He said he was in the process of interviewing nurses. He also mentioned visiting the Creighton School because it is so close, but of course Lucy is far too young for such an establishment.” Jane hesitated and lowered her voice even further. “Is there no way you can continue to care for Lucy?”
    Amelia’s nose twitched with emotion. She didn’t want to talk about this. Not now. Not here. She shook her head. “I want nothing more than for that to be so. But Mr. Littleton is adamant against it.”
    Why even try to hide emotion from Jane? Amelia didn’t want to hide it. If it weren’t for the company surrounding them, she would be tempted to tell her friend the entire story, right down to her proposal to the captain. She felt like a child again, hoping the woman could soothe her sorrows as she had so many times over the years.
    “I do not understand why Mr. Littleton is so opposed to your caring for the child. Has he given any indication as to the source of his opposition?”
    Amelia shook her head. “He has spoken of not wanting to use the funds to care for Lucy that will one day go to our children. When his father died, Edward was surprised that his inheritance was not what he had anticipated. It seems his father had given a large sum to support a local poorhouse. Edward has declared on more than one occasion that he has no intention of using our son’s money to support another man’s child.”
    “But that is ridiculous. Lucy is not a charitable cause. I am sure the captain would support her financially, especially given the success of his recent exploits.”
    “But Edward does not see it that way.” Amelia blinked back tears. “What will I do? I really do not know how I can live without—”
    The ping of a silver spoon tapping a goblet pierced the conversation. Amelia looked up. Uncle George stood at the head of the table.
    Uncle George’s thick hands hung in the air to silence the chattering guests. Edward had all but ignored her through the course of the dinner, but now he turned to her with a wide, boyish smile. Amelia’s stomach knotted.
    Uncle George dabbed his mouth with his napkin and let it fall to the table before clearing his throat. “I know my wife is eager to get the ladies off to the drawing room, but before you all leave, I have wonderful news to share.”
    A rush of whispers circled the table.
    Uncle George’s ruddy face flushed, a broad smile crinkling his eyes. “As you know, my lovely niece will soon be joined in matrimony to Mr. Edward Littleton, a