He did not deny it.
“I am not instructing you to withdraw,” she said. “If I wished that, you would not be here.” Her cane tapped once. “Lady Hammett is not finished stirring. Meet her with clarity, not reaction.”
“What clarity?”
“That Miss Edgewood’s reputation remains intact.” Bessie’s gaze held his. “If your regard reaches beyond music lessons, address it with intention. Not by accident. Not by gossip.”
Marcus’s pulse tightened.Regardwas too small a word.
He thought of Lila’s steady hands guiding Henry’s. Her quiet assurance. The way she stood beside him without advancing or retreating.
“You assume much,” he said.
“I observe much,” she replied.
The fire snapped softly.
“At present,” Bessie said, pushing the counters aside, “there is another concern.”
Marcus waited.
“Miss Edgewood is being approached.” Her tone sharpened. “This afternoon, Lady Hammett questioned her directly about the boy, the lessons, the privacy of that music room.”
Marcus straightened.
“She did so in your presence,” Bessie added. “And you did not notice.”
The truth landed cleanly.
“I was watching Henry.”
“Yes,” Bessie said. “And she was watching you.”
Heat flared, then cooled into something steadier.
“Is Miss Edgewood in difficulty?” he asked.
“No. Because I intervened.”
Marcus drew a careful breath. “What do you need of me?”
“Be deliberate,” she said simply. “Whatever you decide, let it be chosen. Miss Edgewood is not a curiosity. Nor are you.”
“I will not allow Lady Hammett to touch either of them.”
“I know.” Bessie rose, leaning on her cane. “That is why I sent for you.”
She stepped closer.
“One more thing.”
He looked up.
“You are not the only one who has begun to notice Miss Edgewood.”
His pulse kicked. Marcus said nothing. He had not realized his attention had become visible.
“Who?”
