The Abandoned Lady

Chapter 11

Amelia rushed to her room and shut the door behind her locking it. Her heart was pounding. Lord Pierce was here! Here, and Amelia didn't have the slightest clue what to do next. Had she actually reacted so calmly in front of him, when her heart was beating like a million miles per hour? She felt a little pleased with herself.  She could not believe that he hadn't even recognized her! Had she really changed that much as the servants kept saying to her or was it because Lord Pierce hadn't looked at her properly before and after their rushed courtship? Or he simply forgot all about her, erased her from his life. Amelia sat in front of the dressing table mirror staring at herself; She knew that she had slimmed down- a lot, and her wardrobe was in accordance with her personal decision and fashion choice. Her Auntie no longer ruled her wardrobe and therefore it was not horrid like before, but why on earth had he been staring at her like he was fascinated by her or like she was a creature from another planet.

No, Amelia was overthinking. He couldn't have looked at her in that way, even though she would have liked it, It was clear that he disliked her severely and the word hate could also be used within the sentence. His abandoning of her was enough evidence of that. She should keep her distance and make sure she does get her heart caught up in anything. After all, he was most probably going to leave again.

Yes, Amelia assured herself: keep a distance and act normal. Don't show any sign of weakness. You are a stone-willed, adamant lady she said to herself in the mirror. Yet, Amelia couldn't forget about his wonderful hazelnut brown eyes, which had looked so gorgeous. Good Lord! She had liked him from ever since she could remember and his deep musical voice kept replaying in her mind. No! Argh! she felt like kicking herself in sheer frustration, she was not going to do anything stupid and act normal. NORMAL! He doesn't like you, she reminded herself and he didn't even know her in the first place.

'Lady Amelia, are you ok?' Amelia stopped as she heard a faint voice coming from the door. Oh Lord, had she been shouting her thoughts aloud?

'Yes. I'm fine. Erm...my...I just tore something.' She lied

'Okay, my lady.'

Amelia slumped down on the arm chair. Good Lord, it hadn't been a day since Lord Pierce arrived and she was losing her mind already. Nevertheless, she was not going to allow him to use her in any way. That was one thing she would follow through.

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No, that couldn't be her. It just couldn't be her! Oscar refused to believe that the elegant women had been the previous Lady Grey and the now Lady Pierce. He was astonished. He just couldn't get his head round her immense beauty. He had been with plenty of women and to plenty of balls, but he had never seen such a beautiful women! What a change? How had she managed to undergo such a change? Did she do it to impress him?

The answer to that would probably be a no since she seemed like she never ever expected to see him again. What really amazed him yet irritated him at the same time was that she had acted so calmly in front of him like he didn't have the slightest effect on her and that she hadn't cowered nor turned beetroot red like she used to, almost as if she felt indifferent towards him. He wanted to talk to her and he would! He was the lord of the house after all.

Oscar spent the afternoon plotting ways to lure her to him, without portraying himself to be desperate. He had  pride and wouldn't lose it over a woman, even if she had a voice of an angel. How, though? Also, if she did come what would be the subject of discussion be? His travels? no that seemed to be too much about himself. South America? that would be interesting but he would probably do much of the speaking and he wanted to hear her speak. Her room was adjacent to his and he hadn't heard a single sound from next door. He wondered what ran through her mind the very moment. was it him or something more important. She seemed like pre-occupied women and he had a sudden urge to know more; about her and her activities.

Oscar halted. What on earth was he playing at? It seemed he was obsessing over her. He shouldn't get too close to her. he knew all too well about unhappy endings, but one thing he did want was to bed her. He wanted her and there was no denying that. That was his goal. Bedding her a few times should be enough and then he'd probably take on a mistress once was an heir was on the way. That was many men seemed to do, so it seemed to be a reasonable idea. In that way, his heart wouldn't really get involved.

Nonetheless, he couldn't stand the idea of her being with another man, being another man's trophy. It wouldn't be challenging to get her into bed, just a little flavour of his wit and charm would do it.

Oscar suddenly remembered the divorce papers Lord Haywood had given him. He quickly found it in one of his files and hid it in his draw underneath his clothes. A divorce would be stupid.

Going back to the idea of a topic to talk about, Oscar thought about his father and himself and their few conversations. Oscar felt annoyed about his father and why he didn't tell him about Lady Pierce, but then he had warned him, so it was only Oscar's fault for not listening.

His father! Yes, that would be the perfect topic. His father did seem quite fond of her. And of course, he'd talk about the Lady herself. Women liked nothing better than to be showered with compliments and have the attention focused on her. He had learnt that throughout his courting life along with his previous mistresses.

Oscar's valet, Edward would be arriving the next day, so Oscar had to do everything for himself which annoyed him. He hated to be lonely and Edward was his closest, most trusted companion. Right now, he missed asking Edward his advice, most of the times, his advice or suggestions had been good and would have been perfect for Oscar's current situation, but he was not present.

Oscar sat in  his room and rang the bell in order to call Harry. After a few short minutes, there was a knock on the door.

'Harry, what time is dinner?' Oscar said standing at his door.

'7 'o' clock, my lord. well, that is when her ladyship dines.'

'Thank you, Harry.' Oscar nodded. He didn't know how to phrase the next part of his question.

'Anything else my lord?'' Harry asked.

'Yes,'  Oscar gestured Harry closer, despite feeling ridiculously daft,'err...can you ask...Lady Pierce to join me for dinner...as subtly as possible.' Oscar whispered.

'Of course my lord.' Harry hid a smile as he bowed and walked away. Why hadn't he asked himself? She only lived in the next room, Harry thought.  It seemed that his lordship was stumbling over Lady Pierce. The man had too much pride. Harry just hoped that his pride didn't end up causing too damage.