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Silence settled over the carriage as the women watched the men thunder past Sebastian’s as accoe , before disappearing over a low slung wall, and heading off across the fields after Dominic

Ah

“Boys will be boys,” Isobelher new friend curiously “It’s nice to have another female to talk to”

“I know The men are very nice, but sometimes only a woman will do” Despite their new acquaintance, Amelia felt a kinship with Sebastian’s sister-in-law

“You love him, don’t you?” Isobel watched as a flicker of disquiet swept over her friend’s face It vanished so quickly she wasn’t certain she had seen it

Amelia didn’t want to offend Isobel, not when the woenerous and kind to her, but felt she couldn’t lie “I am a mere servant,” she whispered softly, aware of the frown of concern that stole across Isobel’s face

“A servant? Are you sure?” The question was out before Isobel could stop it She placed a gloved hand over her y

Amelia smiled “Yes, I am sure I have worked as a housekeeper in the Scottish borders for the past two years I was onhalf-dead in the undergrowth” Her gaze became unfocused as she stared out of the , lost in ht he was dead, but I knew from the outset he was aristocracy and not for the likes of me”

Isobel knew instinctively there was so, and wondered how far she could politely probe without causing offence “What do you mean, for the likes of you?”

“I am a servant,” Amelia repeated, not sure if Isobel had heard the first time

“Yes, you said that bit But there is soainst the plush confines of Sebastian’s finest carriage, and frowned at Amelia “You don’t talk or walk like a servant You were bred for better things”

Amelia felt colour stain her cheeks as she contemplated how much she should tell Isobel

“I don’t want to pry, but Sebastian clearly thinks you are not a mere servant, or you wouldn’t be here He would have ensured your safety, servant or not But if there was any real doubt as to your suitability, he would have left you in the care of his housekeeper ould have kept you in the servants’ quarters Or, knowing Sebastian, he would have furnished you with your own cottage on the estate where you could re as you wished”

Isobel knew her brother-in-laell enough to knoas a race a servant She had seen enough of the tender looks Sebastian gave Amelia to understand that there was real, deep affection between them Whether she really was a servant, or not

“Suitability for what?” Aht that the household considered her his mistress