Blink. He was there to marry her off. She raised an eyebrow and took the list as she gestured for him to have a seat on the winged chair. She jerked the bellpull and the butler immediately appeared, "Miss, I've taken the liberty already have fortification sent. Tea and a light repast." Amelia cast a grateful look toward the man and nodded her thanks before he took his leave. She sat down on the settee but did not look at the list.

She took a breath, opened her mouth to speak, hesitated, and then blurted out, "But you're too late, brother... I am engaged to be wed already... Mister Nate Appleton... he and I are to be married. We're in love... I... was just about to arrange for him to visit with father." She said this in a way that sounded believable even to her own ears. Except, well, she and Nate scarcely knew one another and he hadn't even begun to court her yet! It couldn't be helped now.