“I do apologize for that disturbance. It really wasn’t planned, and I hope it has not cast a pall over the evening. Oh, it seems you have a spare chair. Do you mind if I join?” Edmund said, but then threw himself into the chair beside Rose before anyone could invite him.
Finally, he was sitting beside her, but Rose vowed not to let him feel satisfied about it.
“Your collar, brother,” Lydia said, gesturing to Edmund’s collar. He quickly adjusted it.
“Perhaps it could be a new trend,” he said.
“I must say it was most heroic of you to escort that man off the premises, Your Grace,” Amelia said, fluttering her eyelashes.
“Oh, it wasn’t the first time I have had to drag Leo somewhere, and it will not be the last,” he said, although he quickly glanced toward Lydia. “I am just glad he left before he could cause any offense. I thought he might have learned his lesson, but I suppose some men are not good students, even when experience should be a fine teacher,” Edmund replied.
“Mm, I wonder what that is like,” Lydia said with a wry smile.
Edmund tilted his head, pretending that he didn’t understand.
“Edmund, do you happen to know if anything is troubling Alfred? Mary is worried. She thinks something is wrong, but he will not tell her,” Lydia said.
“Oh, I am sure it’s nothing. You know what she’s like. I can’t blame her, I suppose, not after what happened, but I will speak to him when I get a spare moment and see if there is anything bothering him,” Edmund said. His words were smooth, and the response felt almost too swift, almost rehearsed. “Shall we?”
Edmund shuffled the cards by separating them into two stacks and riffing them together, which produced a pleasant sound. He then dealt quickly, and the game continued. Edmund was a sly player, though, and he won a lot of tricks with ease. Rose could not take him by surprise, despite her best efforts, and she wondered if he would grow bored without a challenge.
On the table beside her, Amelia’s streak of beginner’s luck lasted for a while as she racked up victory after victory.
“What else is planned for the next few days?” Rose asked. If she knew what was coming, then she could prepare for it and show Edmund that she could handle anything he could throw at her.
However, he gave her a sly look and tapped his finger against his nose.
“That would be giving away everything. All I will say is that I have plenty of surprises planned to ensure that there is never a dull moment. Although I am always open to suggestions, if you have any ideas,” he said.
“Perhaps I could venture one?” Amelia said, wearing an uneasy smile. “I apologize for interrupting, but there is something on my mind.”
“Then by all means speak it,” Edmund said, opening his palm toward her. “The freedom of expression is always available at Stonewood Manor.”
Amelia dipped her head toward him gratefully.
“It occurred to me that all of the servants have worked incredibly hard. Perhaps it might be possible to give them a rest tomorrow morning. As we arrived here, I noticed a village nearby. If the weather is kind, I thought it would be nice to stroll there and visit.”
“That is a kind idea, how thoughtful of you,” Beatrice said.
Rose wasn’t annoyed by Amelia’s suggestion until she noticed how warmly Edmund was looking toward the young diamond. Was it possible that he had seen something shinier than her, something more appealing? There was a tightness in her chest, and she couldn’t very well share her misgivings.
So, instead, she rose and glanced at her mother.
“I believe I shall retire,” she said.
“But the hour is still early,” Edmund replied, and she wondered if she detected a forlorn note to his voice.
“Any surprises shall have to wait until tomorrow,” Rose said, then took herself away, with Margaret trailing just behind her.
“Are you sure you wish to retire? His Grace has only just joined us,” Margaret said.
“If he wanted to spend time with me, then he had ample opportunity to do so at dinner, but his seat remained empty.”
“Don’t punish him for being a good host, Rose.”
“I am not punishing him at all. I am just tired.”
Margaret gave her a look that suggested she did not believe this.
