Regency Romance Collection From Christina Courtenay Read Free

longest time, and Amelia was beginning to think that he was trying to find a way of letting her down gently when he finally spoke. ‘Well, I can’t find any faults with your story,’ he said. ‘It seems everyone knows that your aunt is using you in return for your daily bread, even mistreating you according to some. Our hostess, Mrs Cruikshank, was especially forthcoming on the subject.’
    ‘ She and my aunt are not the best of friends. Truly, my situation is not as bad as all that, it was only when Bernard—’
    ‘Ah, yes, your cousin. I have to tell you that he corroborated your story himself.’
    ‘What? You asked him?’ Amelia was aghast at the thought.
    ‘ No, no, I’m not such a sapskull as all that.’ The viscount gave her a quick grin which did strange things to her insides. ‘I asked my friend David, who apparently knows your cousin slightly, to joke with him about the blonde beauty he has living under his mother’s roof. Believe it or not, the man actually had the nerve to hint that you were his mistress. He implied that you had thrown yourself at him ever since you arrived in the hope that he would marry you.’
    Amelia nearly choked with r age. ‘How dare he?’ She stood up to go and confront the lying toad on the spot.
    ‘ Never mind.’ His lordship put a soothing hand on her arm. ‘He has unwittingly aided you in escaping his clutches. Let us put our heads together to frustrate him in his schemes.’
    Before Amelia could react to this statement, Lord Demarr went down on one knee in front of her. ‘Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife, Miss Ravenscroft?’
    ‘ Y-yes, of course.’ Amelia stammered with embarrassment, although why, she had no idea. After all, she was the one who had started all this. No time to turn coy now.
    ‘ Good,’ said the viscount matter-of-factly, sitting down beside her once more. ‘Then all we have to decide is where and when to be married. Have you any suggestions?’
    Amelia thought for a moment. ‘I know this may sound very melodramatic,’ she said hesitantly, ‘but could we perhaps go to Gretna Green? I am only nineteen and my cousin is my legal guardian I believe. I shouldn’t think he would willingly give his consent to this match.’
    ‘ Good point. Very well, then, Gretna Green it is. We can always pretend we fell in love at first sight, then no one will question our going to Scotland to be married. The sooner, the better, as far as I am concerned. I shall make the arrangements and let you know when all is ready. How can I contact you without anyone being the wiser?’
    ‘ Leave a message with Bootle, Lady Marsh’s butler. He has been very kind to me and is completely trustworthy. Please do not put anything in writing though.’
    ‘Agreed.’ He stood up, as if all was sorted to his satisfaction. ‘Oh, I almost forgot. Do you like children?’
    Amelia found herself blushing for a third time and turned her head away. ‘Yes, I like them very much. If you are afraid I will not do my duty and produce an heir, I can assure you I’ll do my best …’
    ‘ No, I wasn’t worried about that, but I forgot to tell you that I already have two daughters, so you will be a step-mother. Can you cope with that?’
    ‘You’ve been married before?’ Amelia didn’t know why this had not occurred to her and she felt foolish for having assumed him a bachelor.
    ‘Yes, but I’m a widower now.’
    ‘Oh, I see. Yes, well, I don’t think your children will be a problem. How old are they?’
    ‘ Six and four. They spend most of their time with the nanny, so they shouldn’t trouble you unduly.’
    ‘ Right. I look forward to meeting them. Erm, can I ask you a question?’
    ‘Of course.’
    ‘Do you gamble much?’
    He smiled reassuringly. ‘Never more than my finances can take, so please don’t worry on that account. As my wife, you will never want for anything ever again, I promise you.’
    Amelia suppressed a sigh of relief. ‘Thank you.’