* * *
Amelia raised her head as Driscoll and Dante entered the office. She’d been a little concerned when Dante said he wanted to speak with his brother. As she worked on transferring numbers, questions plagued her. Had they found out who she was? Did Randolph manage to track her down? Was she about to be fired and tossed onto the street? Or, horrors, were they about to turn her over to her stepbrother?
Although she did not truly trust them, from what she’d seen she doubted that either brother would condone her stepbrother selling her into prostitution. But who knew what sort of a story Randolph would spin for them? Men were always believed over women.
As she worked, she had also tried to make sense of the kiss she and Driscoll had shared. She would be lying to herself if she pretended it was a complete surprise. She’d felt the attraction between them, even from the time she crawled through his window.
At one and twenty years she had experienced a few kisses from the village boys, but absolutely nothing like she just shared with Driscoll. Her blood was still running hot and she’d yet to get her breathing completely under control.
Her social life had been scant. She’d been able to attend some of the local assemblies while she still had her companion, Mrs. Marsh. But in the past year Randolph had dismissed the woman, saying Amelia was too old for a companion since she was considered a spinster. She always felt he let Mrs. Marsh go because he didn’t want to pay her wages anymore. Once she lacked a chaperon, attending dances was no longer possible.
The brothers walked past the desk where she worked to a cabinet where Driscoll pulled out another ledger. He placed it on his desk and flipped a few pages. “It looks like Newton is into us for about ten pounds.”
Amelia’s breath caught. Newton? Could they possibility be speaking of her stepbrother? A chill ran down her spine and she broke into a sweat.
“Not a considerable amount, but certainly noteworthy.” Dante leaned back on the edge of the desk, his arms crossed over his chest. “I’m still concerned about the fighting, though.”
Oh my lord! It had to be Randolph. Were they considering allowing him back into the club? Even with a mask she was sure he would recognize her, especially if he sat at the vingt-et-un table, staring at her as she dealt cards. She had visions of him ripping off her mask and dragging her out of the club kicking and screaming.
“I agree. I think the ban should continue.”
Relief swept through Amelia so strong she almost cried. Her hands shook as she attempted to write numbers. Luckily neither brother was paying her any attention.
“If Lyons shows up with Newton again, tell him he is welcome, but Newton is not.”
“Were they turned away already?”
“Yes. The rule is if you’re banned it matters not who you show up with, the ban stands. Now that we’ve decided to keep it in place, I will send a note around to Newton and tell him the bad news.”
They then continued to go over the list of members who owed money and for how long, commenting that luckily the outstanding debts were not unmanageable. Dante took his leave shortly after their conversation.
Driscoll looked over at her, but she ignored him. She didn’t want to discuss the kiss since she was still reeling from the fact that Randolph had come close to being readmitted back into the Rose Room.
She looked up when Driscoll’s shadow fell over her desk. “Amelia?”
“Yes?”
“You seem upset. I didn’t want to say anything when Dante was here, but I noticed your hand shaking.”
She waved him off. “’Tis nothing.”
He rested his hip on her desk and swung his foot. “I want you to know Amelia, that you can trust me. If there is some sort of danger you are in, please let me know. I would protect you, but I need to know what I’m protecting you from.”
She attempted a smile. “No danger. I think I’m merely tired.”
He studied her carefully. “Are you upset because I kissed you?”
It took her a moment, then she said, “No. I mean, I was not upset, maybe a little bit surprised.”
“I think you feel the same attraction between us that I do. If not, just say so and I will never bother you again.” He reached out and brushed back an errant curl behind her ear.
She chewed on her lip. Of course, she felt the attraction. How could she avoid it every time she looked into this man’s deep brown eyes?
“May I be honest?”
Driscoll’s shoulders stiffened. “Of course.”
She stood and walked around the desk, unable to sit with him so close and think clearly. She fiddled with her dress, folding the fabric, then smoothing it out. “I won’t deny the attraction.” She blushed and he smiled. “However, I am not in a place where I can encourage the attention of a man. Any man.”
“Ah, Amelia.” He studied her for a minute, then continued. “It comes down to trust, does it not? You don’t trust me, and in truth, we have not known each other long enough for trust to develop.”
He reached out and took her hand, drawing her close to him. “Will you allow me to try?”
She almost cried with frustration. Were she in any other place and time she would love to have the attentions of this man. He was handsome, charming, helpful, and caring. He and his brother ran a successful business which would provide a nice living for a wife and children.
But she would never be that wife. Once Randolph found out where she was, he would use his guardianship to bring her back home and then pass her on to Daniel Lyons.
“I don’t think it would work.” She drew herself up and fought the tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry.” Her voice shook. “But, no.”
Before she could change her
