The Lady and the Earl (Seabrook Family Saga) by Christine Donovan Page B

on
the floor. Memories of the last time he held her made his lust flare, and he
consciously had to tamp it down. Amelia smiled shyly up at him as she placed
her quivering hand in his and rested her other lightly on his hip. His skin
burned where they touched. His hand, resting at the small of her back, wanted
so badly to pull her close. He ached to bring her closer to his heart.
    “Are you surprised to see me?” he murmured close to her ear, loving the
fact that he could see her face blush a becoming shade of pink as he drew back.
    “Very surprised,” Amelia replied as her full lips curled up into a
smile, causing William’s heart to melt down around them. He knew nothing would
probably come of their relationship other than friendship. Wentworth would
never consider him worthy enough to court his sister. So he would take what
little she could offer and be content with that. He did not blame Wentworth.
William had a tarnished reputation, even though he had once stood among the
most honorable of them all.
    “Oh, look.” She turned her head to the left. “Myles is dancing with
Bella. Do they not make a lovely couple? And look…” Her voice rose with
excitement once again. “Sebastian is dancing with Marissa. She was devastated
when he moved to America.”
    Laughter bubbled out of William, causing the gazes of onlookers to fall
upon the couple once again. “Are you matchmaking?”
    “Anyone can see Myles and Bella belong together,” Amelia said. “As for
Sebastian and Marissa, only time will tell.”
    “My cousin, Spencer, will be disappointed to hear about Myles and
Bella. I believe Spencer mentioned something about Isabella, and finding her…breathtaking.
Although I might steal his words and use them to describe you.”
    Bloody hell, did she have any idea how beautiful she looked? Or what
she did to him? All he wanted to do was escape to some secluded place with her
and make passionate love to her. He wondered if she knew she too had a passion
inside her waiting to be brought to life again. Their one encounter had proven
that.
    He wondered briefly about the gossip surrounding her missing time in
America. The reality was that he was falling in love with her, despite all her
baggage and secrets. Maybe even a bit because of them…
    ***
    They swirled around the dance floor, and Amelia felt like a fairytale
princess. Never in her wildest imagination had she expected to see William in
London or to dance with him like this. Did he have business here, or could she
let herself believe he had come to London because of her? Dancing within the
confines of his strong, muscular arms gave her courage to believe the latter.
And when William spoke, his voice wrapped around Amelia like a warm cocoon. She
could never forget his voice and the effect it had on her.
    When the waltz ended, he escorted her over to the elderly lady he had arrived
with this evening. She sat in a chair along the wall, surrounded by married
ladies, mothers, and older family members. Amelia’s heart fluttered as William
leaned close to her. His words convinced her that he had sensed her hesitation.
    “Don’t be frightened,” he whispered into her ear. “My grandmother does
not bite.”
    The other ladies leaned closer hoping to hear. He turned his back to
them and faced his grandmother.
    “Lady Amelia Seabrook,” he began in his smooth voice. “May I introduce
you to my grandmother, the Dowager Countess of Bridgeton.”
    “My lady,” Amelia said as she curtsied, praying her trembling knees did
not give way and land her in the dowager’s lap.
    “Lady Amelia, how nice it is to meet you,” William’s grandmother said
softly, greeting Amelia with a smile. “I’ve known your family for many years.
Your mother’s a lovely woman. I hope you’ll both call on me for tea sometime
soon.”
    Then she winked. The Dowager Countess of Bridgeton had winked at
Amelia.
    Amelia nodded her head. “Thank you, my lady, we would love to.”
    The dowager