“I hope I will. But what if something happens to your mother and me? You are my heir, Edmund. We will not be around forever, although I certainly hope we last as long as possible. But at some point, you will be responsible for Stonewood, and you must take care of your sisters. It’s important for you to be supported, and to have an heir of your own. Have you even thought about what kind of wife you might like?”
“A beautiful one. Helen of Troy reborn, one who is worthy of song and poem,” he said with a broad smile.
His father chuckled.
“All good qualities, I am sure. But I have found that what is most important is having a partner to stand with you through the triumphs of life, and the tragedies, for there will be tragedies.” His face took on a solemn expression. “Do not be afraid of people who speak their mind and challenge you, Edmund. I know many men want a biddable wife who will do as they say, but that will not help you grow as a person. The best thing I ever did, aside from having you, was marrying your mother. Never be afraid of someone who knows their own mind, because they will be strong when you need them to be.”
“And perhaps that is why I would like someone different,” Edmund said, pushing the anguished memory away from his mind.
Agatha chuckled. “You would not last a moment with a tame wife. She would only bore you. No, you’re a man who needs a bit of fire. Your father was just the same.”
“I am not like my father,” Edmund said, his voice quiet.
“Pardon?” Agatha asked.
Edmund sighed and brought the conversation to a close, as he did not wish to be reminded of the past any further.
“It was nothing, Grandmother. I wish to rest for a little while now.”
“I hope that I get to meet her soon. I would love to speak with the woman who caused you to part with so much money. I know you’re a gambling man, but this is a large wager even for you!”
Edmund bowed his head and left his grandmother’s company. He got George to fetch him some refreshment and attempted to push aside the feelings that troubled him. He’d almost shared too much with Rose. What was it about her that disarmed him?
First, there was the copse, where their close proximity played with his mind and drew him to her as though he were a puppet with invisible strings. Then there was the Royal Academy, when the paintings and her questions had elicited something within him, something that was lodged deep inside. Her questions were insistent, and he had no intention of sharing that part of himself with her, and yet he had almost come so close to doing just that.
It was clear that for the third promenade, he needed to think of an event, something spectacular that would keep them occupied and keep conversation to a minimum.
It would need to be something Rose enjoyed; however, since he was not sure himself, he decided to ask someone who would know.
He found Lydia reading in her favorite place, sitting in a French window. When Edmund entered the room, he was struck by how much she looked like their mother. She often used to read likethat as well, and as a boy, Edmund would often climb onto her lap, and she would show him the various illustrations of plants and herbs in the books she studied.
There were ghosts everywhere, and they only seemed to become more insistent as he grew older.
Lydia looked up from her book and offered a light smile. Although she was still irritated by this matter with Rose, she was never one to hold a grudge.
“How were things today?” she asked.
“Fine, just fine.”
“I hope you have not offended her enough to make her want to stop being my friend.”
Edmund feigned offense and put his hand upon his chest. “Do you truly believe that I could have such an effect on a woman? I have been nothing but a gentleman, and have abided by all her rules.”
“Rules?” Lydia asked, setting the book aside. Edmund sank into a chair and put his hands behind his head.
“Yes, she is quite a fastidious woman, your friend. She never rises before a certain hour; she wants every meeting between us to happen in public, although not anywhere too busy, becauseshe doesn’t wish for her shoes to get muddy. It does make it quite challenging to think about interesting locations.”
Lydia giggled and suppressed a smile. “I see.”
Edmund leaned forward and adopted a serious expression. “I was rather hoping that you would help me. Even though I have seen Rose twice, I feel as though I do not know her all that well, and certainly not as well as you do. What does she like?”
“You are concerned with what she likes?” Lydia asked, a hint of surprise entering her voice. Edmund quickly cleared his throat and shook his head.
“It’s just a figure of speech,” he denied. “I mean to say that I would like our outings to be interesting for both of us.”
“Of course, you would hate to be bored.”
“Yes.”
