Persuasion. Brenda Joyce

fanned against his high cheekbones. Amelia could feel him thinking, carefully, deliberately. But he did not move and he did not release the railing. He finally said, “You still babble when you are nervous.”

      Her heart kept thundering. What kind of comment was that? She finally managed, “You are blocking my way.”

      He looked up, still using his arm as a barrier to prevent her from going downstairs. “I beg your pardon.” Finally, almost reluctantly, he released the banister. But he did not move aside. His body took up most of the space of the stairwell.

      Amelia didn’t move. She wanted to go, she truly did, but she felt so paralyzed. “I hope I am not intruding. Mrs. Murdock seemed to need my help.”

      “I am making you nervous.”

      She trembled. What could she say when he was right? “It has been a very trying day—for everyone!”

      “Yes, it has been a very trying day for us all.” His regard flickered, but it still remained unwavering upon her. “I see that you remain as kind and compassionate as ever.”

      That was another odd statement to make, she thought nervously. It was as if he remembered her very well. “Mrs. Murdock was so very attached to Lady Grenville. She is distraught. And the boys were distraught. They are playing in their rooms now.”

      “Then I am grateful.” His gaze narrowed. “Mrs. Murdock?”

      “The nurse,” she cried, realizing he hadn’t had a clue as to whom she was discussing.

      “Ah, yes, Elizabeth’s hire...”

      His tone seemed wry and she could not get a sense as to what he was thinking or feeling now. He had even looked away. His words seemed to hang upon the air. Did he want to talk about his wife? He probably needed to talk about her. She wanted to flee, but how could she? He had been so very upset in the church.

      He suddenly said, “She is afraid of me.”

      Amelia inhaled, realizing that he was referring to the nurse. “Yes, I think she is.”

      He glanced directly at her and their gazes met.

      “That will change,” Amelia managed, “I am sure of it.”

      “Yes, you would be certain.”

      Was he amused by her optimism? “Now that you will be in residence, she will become accustomed to you,” Amelia said quickly. When his eyes widened, she flushed. “I met Lady Grenville. And I meant it when I said I am so sorry. She was so gracious and so beautiful!”

      His stare had sharpened. His mouth seemed hard. “Yes, I suppose she was very beautiful.”

      And Amelia realized he had spoken reluctantly, as if he had no wish to praise or discuss his deceased wife. Had Mrs. Murdock been right? Surely he was grieving for Elizabeth! “She invited me for tea. It was a lovely afternoon.”

      “I am sure it was.”

      And Amelia realized that she knew him well enough to know that he did not mean his words. Feeling helpless and very confused, she stared back. They had had an unhappy marriage, she somehow thought.

      “I am truly sorry,” she whispered, at a loss. “If there is anything I can do to help you now, in such a difficult time, you must ask.” She felt her heart lurch. His stare had become unnerving.

      “You haven’t changed at all.”

      She could not comprehend him. His wife was dead. It was Elizabeth they must discuss.

      “You rescued the babe, and perhaps even the nurse. Now you wish to comfort me in my time of grief.” His eyes flickered oddly. “In spite of the past.”

      Her heart slammed. They must never discuss the past! How could he even raise it? “We are neighbors,” she cried, flustered. And surely he had noticed that she was ten years older now. “I must go! Garrett, my driver, is surely waiting. I must prepare supper!” Knowing she sounded as frantic as she felt, she started forward but he grasped the banister and blocked her way again.

      “I am not trying to frighten you, Amelia.”

      The pressure of his arm against her ribs was unnerving. “What are you doing? You cannot call me Amelia!”

      “I am curious.... It has been a long time, yet here you are. You could have decided not to attend my wife’s service.”

      She did not know what to do—she wanted to flee! He was obviously determined to remind her of the past—and it was so dishonorable to do so. She was acutely aware of him. “Of course I would attend Lady Grenville’s service. I really must go, Grenville.”

      He released the banister, watching her carefully.

      Feeling almost like a mouse in a lion’s den, she hesitated. Then she blurted, “And you should visit the boys—they wish to see you—and your daughter.”

      His closed expression never changed. “Will you meddle in my personal affairs?”

      Had she been meddling? “Of course not.”

      His stare was oddly watchful. “I do not think I mind very much if you do.”

      His tone was wry, but was it also suggestive? She froze, debating telling him that she was merely being a good neighbor.

      He added, so softly she had to strain to hear, “You aren’t wearing a ring.”

      She had been right. He had looked at her hands earlier for a sign of whether she was married or not. But why would he do such a thing?

      He made a harsh, mirthless sound. As he reached into the interior pocket of his brown-velvet jacket, removing a silver flask, his gaze moved slowly over her features, one by one. Amelia was rigid. His look was somehow suggestive. “You are being kind and I am being rude. Barring your way. Asking impertinent questions. Failing to offer you a proper drink.” He took a draught from the flask. “The lady and the beast.” He smiled slowly. “Would you care to have a drink, Amelia? Would you care to have a drink...with me?”

      The panic returned, full-blown. What was he doing? She was certain he was not inebriated. “I cannot have a drink with you,” she gasped.

      His mouth curled. He tipped the flask again, taking a longer draught this time. “Somehow, I did not think you would join me.”

      She inhaled. “I do not imbibe in the afternoon.”

      And suddenly he smiled with some humor. “So you do imbibe?”

      Her heart slammed and raced. He had one dimple on his right cheek, and she had forgotten how devastatingly good-looking and seductive he was when he smiled. “I take a brandy before bed,” she said, sharply and defensively.

      His smile vanished.

      She was afraid of what he might be thinking. “It helps me to sleep,” she added quickly.

      Those thick lashes had lowered again. He put the silver flask back into his pocket. “You remain sensible and direct. Intelligent and bold. You haven’t changed.” He spoke reflectively, staring down at the steps he stood upon. “I, on the other hand, have become an entirely different person.”

      Couldn’t he see that ten years had changed her—making her a wiser, stronger and older woman?

      He finally looked up, his gaze bland. “Thank you for coming today. I am sure Elizabeth appreciates it—God rest her blessed soul.” He nodded curtly. Then, before she could move, he brushed past her up the stairs and was gone.

      Amelia collapsed against the wall. She began to shake. What had just happened?

      She realized she was straining to hear his footsteps above her, fading away.

      Amelia seized the banister for support and rushed downstairs, fleeing Simon Grenville.

      CHAPTER THREE

      AMELIA