Page 37 of Murder in Matrimony (A Lady of Letters Mystery #4)

They saw themselves out the door, and as soon as they returned to Simon’s carriage, Amelia voiced her plan to visit Baker Biscuits tomorrow. The afternoon was growing late, and she must learn if Madge’s visit to Captain Fitz had been successful.

“I’ll take Kitty with me to the biscuit shop, unless you’d like to go, too.” Amelia adjusted her parasol on the seat next to her. “She might be better than you with domestic details.”

“I don’t doubt it.” He smiled.

She returned the smile, but as they approached her house, the smile dropped from her lips. She craned her neck to see if her eyes were deceiving her. Indeed, they were not. Captain Fitz was beside the gooseberry bush, hollering up at an open window.

“Miss Scott, I did not mean what I said.” Captain Fitz’s hat fell backward, and he repositioned it. “Please allow me to explain.”

“That’s not something one sees every day,” murmured Simon. “I am going to gamble and wager the talk did not go well.”

She sighed. “Very perceptive. However, no amount of yelling will make my sister see him if she does not want to. We must talk to him ourselves.”

“We?” Simon arched a dark eyebrow. “As you said, I’m not good with domestic details.”

“You will not help me?”

“What would I say?” His voice grew more serious. “I cannot get in the middle of a man’s affairs. He wouldn’t like me to see him this way. It’s best I leave immediately.”

Amelia knew he was right. Later, when he was thinking clearly, the captain would regret Simon observing his behavior. “Fine. Tell your driver to let me out here so that Captain Fitz does not observe the crest on your carriage.”

Simon did as she requested, and she was off to solve her sister’s problems. She had the idea this is what Sisyphus felt every time he reached the top of the hill only to have the boulder roll down again.

Life with Madge was like that lately. All sibling relationships had their ups and downs, however.

She took comfort in the fact that Madge would do the same for her.

“Psst, psst,” came a noise from the front door. Amelia looked and saw Winifred peeking behind the heavy mahogany door.

Amelia detoured from the gooseberry bush.

“I’m afraid I have bad news.” Despite the foreboding words, Winifred looked quite interested and even excited by the development.

“Your family is upstairs with Madge, who is laid out on the bed, proclaiming Captain Fitz no longer loves her and that she should have ‘kept her big trap shut.’ And Captain Fitz, despite being told by Jones that Madge is not here, will not leave the lawns. He is determined to clear up a quarrel they had at his house.”

“What an ordeal.” Amelia looked over Winifred’s shoulder. “And Aunt Tabitha?”

“She is gone with Aunt Gertrude to Thames Street to buy roasted chestnuts. Gert—excuse me, Gertrude, could not believe they were as good as all that in the city, but Aunt Tabitha assured her that they were and took her directly.”

Winifred’s face was so animated and her eyes so bright, Amelia had to suppress a laugh and force herself to consider what was happening on her own front lawns. “Thank heavens for their absence. Keep watch, will you? I’ll talk to the captain.”

Winifred gave Amelia a small salute and closed the door.

Amelia cleared her throat to make Captain Fitz aware of her approach. “I am sorry I missed you, Captain Fitz. Won’t you come inside?”

“Lady Amesbury.” The captain released a breath and straightened his hat. “I am relieved to see you. You must understand I do not want any ill will between me and your sister.”

Amelia noticed an older woman who walked her dog every day stop to listen. “Let us go inside, where we can talk privately.”

He nodded, and she did not bother with the drawing room, which was too close to Madge’s quarters.

Instead, she led him to the library. She did not want him to overhear her sister crying.

Whatever was causing her angst—and Amelia was about to find out what—needed to pass before she saw Captain Fitz again.

He took off his hat and passed his hand through his blond hair. It looked wild and unmanageable, a little like the man himself right now.

“Now then.” Amelia selected a chair and pointed to the green couch across from her. “What may I help you with?”

“Your sister came to see me, and it was quite evident that she was upset. She mentioned a dress fitting and corset and some sort of bustle, I believe.” He shook his head, perplexed by the terminology.

“So I said, it sounded as though all was coming along swimmingly, to encourage her, you understand, and she said that it wasn’t coming along at all.

It was a stupid gown, and she wanted nothing to do with it. ”

“I am sorry.” Amelia tried to come up with words that would soothe his distress. “She despises formal affairs. They were infrequent occurrences in Somerset, and she’s always questioned their necessity.”

“Indeed, I do not like them either.” His brow lifted. “I understood her dislike from the first moment I danced with her. I do not care what she wears to the wedding, and I proceeded to tell her so.”

“And what was her answer?”

“It was positively bizarre. She said, I suppose you do not care if we have mutton for dinner every night either, and I said I enjoyed a good roasted mutton now and then, but I was not so very fussy. She turned on her heel and ran out of the townhouse. I followed her, but she will not see me.” He pointed toward the ceiling.

Amelia smiled lightly. “You must be patient with my sister. This past month has been extremely trying for her. It must seem her world has been turned upside down, but I know she will settle into the idea. She cares for you very much.”

“And I her, but I do not want her to settle into the idea. I want her to desire the marriage to me.”

“She does.” Despite her warring emotions, Amelia kept her face encouraging. “Give her time.”

“With the marriage date set, my lady, how much time can we afford to give?”