Amelia lost track of her steps the moment those words left Radford's lips. She tripped on the hem of her dress and only avoided falling to the floor by his hand that caught her by the waist. Disgusted, she wanted to push him away.
Barren. That shameful word echoed in her mind. Her throat tightened, making it feel like she was suffocating.
Amelia bit the already tender flesh on the inside of her cheek, tightly, so much that it hurt enough for her to gather her composure. She let the marquis assist her in getting up, intent on continuing as if nothing had happened, but when she saw his face her stomach churned.
Amusement.
He was taking pleasure in seeing her be put in her place and reminding her that her true standing was still, and had always been, beneath him. Gloating all while bringing up the very thing that had made years of her life hell.
In an instant her dread and humiliation mixed with something else; fury. She wanted to kick him in the groin so hard that he would never sire another heir.
But that was not what she came here to do.
She leaned closer to him. So close that her breath tickled his neck as she spoke her next words.
"My Lord. This is no place to discuss such a sensitive subject."
She wore a pitiful and frightened expression while she pulled back and could tell that her performance had the desired effect. Radford leered down at her with a satisfied grin, then he offered her his arm.
"You must have hurt your ankle. Come, I will show you to a place where you can rest."
He said so loudly enough for those around them to hear.
"Thank you my Lord, how very thoughtful.
She smiled, making it a point to slightly limp beside him as to not leave room for any unsavory rumors.
As they walked further from the safety of the crowded ballroom Amelias already hammering heart started banging even harder in her chest. She could no longer hide the tremors in her hands and didn't bother to try since this would probably only please him.
They exited the ballroom into a corridor that was empty aside from a few guards, one of which pointed them to the sittingroom intended for guests. It was small with a tight arrangement of a two-seated sofa, a couple of armchairs and a lit fireplace.
"My Lord, what you said before... Did father tell you?"
While the marquis cautiously closed the door behind them Amelia gathered her skirtfabric and seated herself on the sofa, leaving enough space for him to sit next to her.
"Of course. The news caused him such anguish that he had to share his burden."
She lowered her eyes and anxiously fiddled with her hands.
"His Grace is not aware. I do not know what would happen if he learned the truth."
"Are you asking me not to tell him" Radford asked and sat down next to her, much closer than he needed to.
Amelia shook her head.
"I wouldn't dare tell you what you can and cannot do, my Lord."
"I do not see what you are so concerned about anyway. If rumors are to be believed, that is."
Though she knew that she needed to refute him to gain his trust, she couldn't bring herself to speak badly of Dario.
"I have done my very best to please his Grace. Given my circumstances I've had to."
The marquis scoffed.
"You could have fooled me."
Amelia stayed quiet for a while, letting the tension simmer. She knew very well what she needed to say for him to warm up to her.
"That day, when you asked me to come with you... You were trying to save me, weren't you? You didn't want father's fate to befall me."
She glanced towards Radford with her head still downturned in feigned shame.
"I am sorry for not realising. You must have thought me a fool. I should have gone with you before it was too late."
Now she was so commited that she could even feel tears welling up in her eyes.
"Before I..."
Her voice cracked from a stifled cry.
"I came here tonight to see you. To thank you."
Radford finally relented when he saw a tear fall down her cheek. He wrapped an arm around Amelia and pulled her close to him. The familiar, pungent smell of tobacco filled her nostrils.
Of course she knew how to play this part well. In the past, this is how she'd always been with him.
"How could I dare ask for your help" she cried, pressing her forehead againt his chest.
"How dare I when I no longer have even my chastity."
"My sweet Amelia" Radford said and stroked her hair.
"How much longer will you keep me wrapped around you finger, huh?"
His fingers traveled down to the back of her neck, tracing her spine.
"You truly are a vixen" he whispered, and Amelia shuddered.
She could see that he was hard.
"I am truly despicable, aren't I" she said and slowly pulled away from him.
"I should not have come here. I am sorry."
She started walking away but the marquis stopped her by grabbing her hand. In that moment she knew that she had him hooked.
She stayed still as he approached her from behind.
"No matter how much pain you cause me, I cannot bring myself to abandon you" Radford spoke and stroked her arm.
"At the time I thought I did the right thing, giving up your father. It pained me, but I at least thought of it as right. Now I am not so sure anymore."
Amelia turned towards the marquis and met his gaze. With her eyes locked with his she tenderly stroked his cheek.
"Why do you say this" she asked.