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“Nothing had been formalized,” Amelia said. “I knew him only a little. And then we were introduced, and we spoke on so many shared matters of interest. I was greatly looking forward to seeing you at the Assembly Rooms but you weren’t there—”

“I was called away.” He shrugged. “On His Majesty’s Business. At the time, the matter was of immense urgency. I spent a week in France, behind enemy lines, suffered an injury—” He indicated his thigh. “—and on my return, I met Lady Eldredge.”

“Oh!”

Sir Frederick shook his head. “No, it’s not what you think. We were introduced at Madame Belvoir’s Salon and merely spoke. At the time, I couldn’t wait to return to Bath to see you.” He smiled. “It’s the truth.”

Amelia’s eyes widened, and she put a hand to her lips.

“When I didn’t see you at the Assembly Rooms, Thomas claimed me for almost every dance, even though it wasn’t respectable.

” She lowered her eyes. “He laughed as he recounted that he’d overheard you telling Lord Spade that while you’d enjoyed Miss Fairchild’s company—as he phrased it—you’d never settle down with a bluestocking.

That you were in the market for vivacious blondes who were up for a bit of fun rather than risking a potentially dangerous liaison with someone who intended anything more serious? ”

Sir Frederick put both hands on her shoulders and his face closer to hers. “He said that?” he asked softly.

Amelia nodded.

“Then he lied.”

Amelia swallowed, waiting for him to break the silence. But it seemed he was too caught up in his own thoughts, so she prompted, “And Lady Eldredge?”

Returning his attention to her, Sir Frederick’s smile was rueful.

“I rebounded into her arms after I found you so distant when I did finally return to the Assembly Rooms. By this stage, Thomas Blackheath had well and truly sunk his hooks into you, and before a few days were past, the pair of you were engaged.” He shrugged.

“I buried my disappointment and accepted I’d never see you again, while also deciding that, as my reputation couldn’t sink lower, and I’d lost the woman I believed I could truly love, why try to salvage it?

But I’m not that man anymore.” His fingers tightened on hers.

“These past days with you—seeing how you value truth and honor above all else—it’s made me want to be worthy of your good opinion.”

Amelia’s carefully constructed defenses began to crumble while his words chased themselves around her head.

The woman I believed I could truly love…

He loved her? Then he’d surely kiss her now.

But wait. He was speaking again, and she hadn’t responded. Maybe he’d been waiting for something from her which she’d failed to deliver.

He squeezed her shoulder. “But you came here to tell me something about a letter Henry had shown you.”

Caught between frustration at the way he’d closed the door on her ability to tell him what was in her heart and the urgent need to pass on her disturbing news regarding Mr. Greene, Amelia said, “Henry showed me a letter written by Mr. Greene. It was in the library beneath a pile of books and clearly he’d been disturbed while writing it to his cousin.

But he claims he can prove he’s Pernilla’s descendant.

That she didn’t die but married William and lived.

” Tensely, she watched his face. “I was fearful that was the truth of it. That Pernilla didn’t die but instead married and had children.

But if that is in fact the reason Mr. Greene is here at all—because he has proof that he’s descended from Pernilla, then that changes everything. Lady Pendleton, Albert, the estate…”

“The man’s a bounder and on the verge of bankruptcy,” Sir Frederick said grimly. “Which makes me wonder—could Greene be manufacturing this claim? A man in his desperate financial straits might grasp at any chance.”

“That’s what troubles me.” Amelia moved closer, drawn by his warmth, his steadiness, and the fact he didn’t even seem to realize his arms were about her shoulders in a gesture far more intimate than warranted under the circumstances.

Or was it?

“The marriage record we found—it proves Pernilla and William wed. But her grave…”

“Do you really think we can have it exhumed? That could only be done under Lady Pendleton’s authority, and she’s hardly likely to do that.”

Amelia nodded. “But if Mr. Greene has other pieces of evidence, she may be forced to. Oh, Sir Frederick…” She felt herself sagging under the weight of her distress. “Mr. Greene is the most unworthy of claimants. And to see the estate taken from Albert makes me want to weep.”

“My dear Amelia.” His free hand came up to cup her cheek.

“Whatever the truth of this claim, only time and a court of law will untangle this knotty issue.” He hesitated, then said, as if realizing that she was more than willing within his arms, “I want to return to what I was saying before. That my feelings for you are genuine. You’ve awakened something in me I thought long dead—the desire to be a better man. ”

The sound of her given name on his lips made her breath catch.

“I…I would like to believe that,” she whispered, though she didn’t move away from his touch.

“But I think I’ve underestimated you for a long time and I am ashamed.

Ashamed of Thomas for speaking lies and at me for believing them so readily.

But…you could have any woman you desire. Mrs. Perry—”

“Is exactly the kind of woman I once thought I wanted.” His thumb traced her cheekbone.

“Beautiful, vivacious, uncomplicated. But you, Amelia. You challenge me. You make me think. When we discovered Pernilla’s story together—first during the treasure hunt and then afterwards when you were the one who believed there was more fact than fiction to the tale and you were determined to reveal the truth, I saw how your mind works, how deeply you care about honesty and justice. ”

Thunder rolled overhead, but Amelia barely heard it. “And yet I feel so conflicted about this truth. If Mr. Greene really is Pernilla’s descendant, doesn’t he have a right to claim his inheritance? But then I think of Albert, of all the good he could do…”

“That’s precisely what I mean.” Sir Frederick’s voice was husky.

“Most women would simply choose the most advantageous side. But you wrestle with what’s right.

” His other hand came up to frame her face.

“Do you know how beautiful you are when you’re pursuing a mystery?

Your eyes spark with intelligence, your cheeks flush. Perhaps we should—”

But his suggestion was cut short by the unmistakable sound of footsteps on the rotunda’s outer steps.

“Sir Frederick? Are you there?”

Mrs. Perry.