Page 67 of A Mismatch Made in London

I opened my mouth but only stared at him.

The door was flung open, and Mrs. Kendall was followed by Juliet.

“Here is the happy couple,” my aunt cried. She clasped her hands in front of her chest as she beamed her smile on Jeremy. “And when shall we expect the wedding to take place?”

My heart skipped a few beats.

“That is something we have not decided,” Jeremy said.

Juliet said, “You will need to set a date soon. You certainly may not run away to Gretna Green. I wish to be present for these nuptials.”

“We will either have the banns read,” Jeremy said, “and that will take at least three weeks, or I shall get a common license from the bishop.”

“Oh, you must get a common license,” Juliet said. “It is too public and awkward, having the banns read. And then you may get married right away. You should do as you wish. Or rather, as Amelia wishes. What do you say, Amelia?”

“I have not given it much thought yet.”

“I suppose it is quick,” Juliet said, and I could see her expression change. “You only just got engaged last night. I am always in a hurry for everything. Not everyone is like me, I realize.”

We talked for a minute more, then Juliet said, “I need Amelia’s help with something. We will only be a minute.” She jumped up and I followed her out of the room.

Once we were in the hall, she whispered, “What is the matter? I can see that something is amiss. Tell me everything.”

I led her into the drawing room across the hall and shut the door. “I do not know. It is all so confusing. Juliet, I do not know what to do.”

“What do you mean? What has happened?”

I told her about the kiss and how I never had any notion that Jeremy thought of me as anything but his sister’s friend.

“Well, that isn’t exactly true. Sometimes I did have a notion. But I thought I was imagining things. And I still think so. I’m confused.”

“What do you want, Amelia? Do you want to marry Jeremy?”

“I don’t know.” I pressed my hand against my forehead.

“Well, he obviously loves you.”

Did he? She was his sister so she would think the best of him. After all, if he kissed me but didn’t love me, that would make himvery improper, and I’d never thought he was improper. Rude and conceited, yes, but—

“I think you two need to talk. Privately.”

How could I tell her that the last two times we were alone, we kissed instead of talking? She’d think I was completely depraved.Ithought I was completely depraved.

“I’m just afraid he only asked me to marry him because he didn’t want to ruin my reputation.”

“I don’t think so. He must love you. How could he not, when you are so wonderful?”

I wanted logic and truth, not compliments. “Perhaps he does, but ... I suppose we should not leave him in there with Mrs. Kendall. She will say things that will make him uncomfortable.”

“No, you mustn’t always accommodate him,” Juliet said. “That is what you must not do. He will come to expect it. No, you must have some power in this relationship, and the way to do that is to tell him how things shall be, what you want and do not want.”

That did seem like good advice, in general, and under these circumstances it seemed especially wise. After all, I needed to know how he would react when things did not go his way. It had worked well for me with Mr. Harper, after all.

I barely acknowledged Jeremy when he and Juliet took their leave of me a few minutes later. My mind was a whirlpool of confusion, and I just wanted to be alone.

It was the middle of the Season, but Jeremy didn’t mind that Shelley was taking him away from the constant parties and assemblies of London. Just thinking of a fortnight in the country made him literally breathe easier.

Shelley’s invitation to his country house in the Lake District had included only Juliet, Amelia, Mrs. Wilson as their chaperone, and Jeremy. At the last minute, as Jeremy was about to leave, hegrabbed his long-neglected sketchbook and tucked it into his trunk.