Page 50 of The Baron’s Reluctant Bride (Marriage Mart Scandals #4)
“Oh, darling, we have arrived.”
At the sound of her mother’s voice addressing her father, Amelia Creswell’s head rose from the sheet music she was studying. Her eyes looked out of the carriage window and a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
Just up ahead was The Durendale Estate, with its grand, imposing iron gates.
The family crest in the middle caught Amelia’s eye, and she couldn’t help but study it as they drew closer to the entrance.
As soon as their family carriage rolled past the gates, it felt as though she had been transported into another world of opulence and grandeur.
The gravel driveway was bordered by tall, well-manicured oak trees; their green colour so lush it made Amelia’s heart flutter.
It wasn’t the first time she was visiting The Durendale Estate.
She had visited several times since she was a child, and every time she was more in awe of the attention to detail this estate possessed.
His Grace, The Duke of Durendale, had married Amelia’s mother’s older sister.
Both sisters were close and so Amelia had the privilege of running through the halls as a child with her cousin and siblings.
Her Grace, Duchess Viola, was ever so fond of her nieces and nephew.
Amelia smiled wistfully, casting a look at the stately home her aunt’s family lived in, recalling the days of her childhood.
The carriage came to a stop in front of the building and Amelia didn’t miss the smile on her mother’s face when she saw her sister and her husband standing on the steps that led into the house. Duchess Viola’s face brimmed with excitement, mirroring Lady Creswell’s.
“Viola!” Lady Creswell could hardly wait to get off the carriage. As soon as her two feet touched the ground, her arms extended in a gesture of welcome.
“Cynthia!” The Duchess’s sing-song voice floated through the air, her smile growing.
As Amelia descended from the carriage, following her father, she saw the two women embrace each other fondly. Her own heart picked up its pace, anticipation mixing with unease. She smoothed her hands over her skirts and plastered a trained smile on her face.
Her mother came to stand between her and her father. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted her cousin, Emma, step out of the house and onto the stairs. Amelia smiled at her, noting the mischievous smile and look in her cousin’s expression.
Dear Lord, what is that girl up to now? Amelia wondered.
“Your Graces.” Amelia’s father, Viscount Creswell, lowered his head in a polite bow. Lady Creswell and Amelia followed with a curtesy.
The Duke approached them with a straight expression, which slowly turned into a charming smile the closer he got.
“Creswell! No need to be so formal here,” said the Duke with a chuckle. He pulled the Viscount into his embrace and gave him a pat on the back.
Lord Aldrich Creswell chuckled. “Well, it has been some time since I last saw you, Durham. Who knows if new penalties have been made for where there is a lack of formality?”
“Certainly not around here,” His Grace stated. Turning to the Viscountess, he wore a warmer smile. “Cynthia Creswell. My, you look more aglow each time I see you.” He took her hand and kissed the back of it.
Lady Creswell flushed. “Why, thank you, Your Grace.”
“Her Grace does look quite spectacular too, I must say,” Lord Creswell added, gazing upon the slightly older-looking version of his wife. The Duchess and the Viscountess did have such a striking resemblance with each other.
Strong genes, Cynthia always said.
Beautiful genes too, their husbands would agree.
The Duchess’s cheeks heated as she placed her hand in her brother-in-law’s and watched him kiss the back of it lightly.
Amelia and Emma, still standing far apart, watched their parents interact for a bit. It was almost as though they’d forgotten their presence.
“My dear Amelia.” It was the Duchess who addressed her first.
Amelia lowered herself into a curtesy once again, smiling politely.
“My goodness! How positively beautiful you have grown,” Her Grace commented, her tone holding all sincerity.
“I am much obliged! You are too kind dear Aunt Viola.” Amelia grinned.
“Emma, now do not stand there like you are one of the statues,” His Grace called out to his daughter.
The young Miss Durham joined the group at the foot of the stairs, curtseying in greeting.
“So graceful,” Lady Creswell noted, pleased.
Emma’s eyes shifted for a moment to her cousin, before returning to her aunt and uncle. “It is wonderful to see you again, Aunt Cynthia. You and my lord both appear to be in excellent health.”
“Thank you, Emma. That is exceedingly kind of you,” Lord Creswell said.
For a few more minutes, the pleasantries continued.
Amelia didn’t mind it. Her family, both immediate and more distant relations formed a harmonious and devoted set of individuals and thus she had become quite accustomed to it, and so she was used to it.
It was surely a good thing that none of their interactions seemed feigned or illusory.
Although, she doubted anyone would consider that at all.
Those who knew their families were fully aware of how close they were—especially due to her mother and aunt.
“Now, as much as we do need to catch up, dear sister…I am sure you and your family must be tired from your travels. Your luggage has been taken to your rooms and we’ll have Barrett here—” The Duchess gestured to the butler—a middle-aged man—who stood by the grand doors.
The Creswell’s were familiar with him. “—escort you to your rooms so you can settle in. We shall have tea as soon as you are settled in and changed.”
Lord Creswell nodded. “Sounds delightful. I could use a bath and some fresh clothes.”
They all headed inside, with Amelia and Emma behind in tow.
“We have a lot of catching up to do,” Emma whispered to her cousin, pulling her into a warm side embrace. She wiggled her eyebrows, as though holding on to some secret of interest.
Amelia let out a small giggle. “Oh, Emma, I hope you have not done anything that has gotten you into trouble.”
“Not yet.” Emma grinned mischievously. “But now that you are present, I find my thoughts quite stirred with some promising ideas.”
Another giggle escaped Amelia. She expected that Emma's presence would invariably bring about a considerable deal of excitement and unexpected occurrences.
Despite her cousin being the opposite of her in personality, they got along very well.
Amelia was the quieter and more reserved one of the pair, while Emma was the free-spirited and outgoing one.
In many ways, they complemented each other rather well.
Emma rather fancied they were a pair unlike any other to be found. Emma liked to think.
Amelia was surprised they hadn’t gotten into any serious trouble since they were younglings. She hoped it stayed that way.
Later, after a much needed bath and changing out of the travelling clothes, The Creswell’s joined the Duke and Duchess in the drawing room for tea.
Amelia walked through the drawing room doors clad in a light pink gown and with her hair in an intricate Grecian curly hairstyle. A lively hum of conversation had already filled the chamber, and her eyes travelled to its main source.
Lady Caroline Westbrook. Or as Amelia called her—Caroline.
Amelia lowered her gaze to her fidgeting fingers for a moment. She already felt out of place with everyone gathered in the drawing room, and now her older sister had arrived. Presumably when the others had retreated to their chambers to freshen up.
The fragrant aroma of freshly brewed tea wafted through the atmosphere, but still this pleasant smell failed to calm Amelia. She glanced around the room, seeking an escape; even one in the form of her cousin Emma.
Her mind wandered to the sheet music she’d been studying earlier in the carriage and she wished she had brought it to the drawing room with her. It was a classical Beethoven piece that had enraptured her, holding her spellbound with its opening notes.
Amelia’s fingers started t twitch nervously as she longed for the solace of her violin. She could hear in the opening notes of the classical piece in her mind, and imagined her slender fingers gliding through the violin strings with a deftness that could only be achieved by practice and devotion.
From her early days as a child, Amelia had developed a fondness for music. Being the last child of her parents, she often felt quite overlooked, or indeed, invisible when in the company of her siblings.
Her older sister, Caroline, was the jewel of the family.
The one often praised for her beauty, poise, and charm.
It was these very qualities that had secured her a match in her debut season with the wealthy Lord Westbrook.
It was the match of the season, talked about by anyone and everyone.
Before Lord Westbrook’s official proposal, Caroline had a steady bevy of suitors at her disposal, and Lord Westbrook by far outshone them all.
Amelia’s older brother and the Viscount’s only son, Daniel, was widely known for his charming persona and adventurous spirit.
He was currently on a grand tour of the Continent, missing all the action of London's high society.
But even then, people talked about him often.
His endeavours were seen as daunting and somehow, that made him more desirable.
It was no doubt that many young ladies fantasised about him returning to take one of them as his bride soon.
Trailing behind her siblings, the only credit in her favour was her love for music and skill at playing the violin and the pianoforte. Even as a child, she would often entertain her family and guests with performances. It was the only time she truly felt like herself in the magical realm of music.