“And you succeeded.”
“That I did, but it came at a great cost.”
Greydon shifted on the bench to face her. “You are stronger than you think you are.”
“I am not strong.”
“I disagree,” Greydon said. “You drew a line in the sand and stood your ground. That is brave to me.”
“I did so only because of my daughter.”
“It doesn’t matter why you did it but that you did do it.”
Enid lowered her gaze to her lap. “You flatter me, but I am not as strong as you think I am. I am weak and have made far too many mistakes for you to ever praise me.”
Greydon pulled back on the reins in front of a whitewashed townhouse. “I know exactly who you are, Enid,” he said. “I have never met a braver woman than you.”
“I contend that is not true.”
As he secured the reins, he remarked, “You risked your life for Marigold. Nothing is as strong as the love a mother has for her child.”
“And I would do it again.”
His lips twitched. “That is why I know how truly remarkable you are.”
A blush came to her cheeks. Why did his words have such a profound effect on her? “You shouldn’t say such things to me.”
“I have to because it distracts me from what I truly want to do with you.”
“Which is?”
His eyes dropped to her lips.
Enid felt her heart start pounding in her chest and she feared that he might be able to hear it. Good heavens, she hoped not.
Greydon exited the carriage and came around to her side. As he assisted her onto the pavement, she could feel the warmth of his body next to hers.
Once she was on the pavement, she removed her hands and clasped them in front of her, pretending that his touch had not affected her. But it did. It always did.
They walked up to the main door and Greydon knocked. It was promptly opened and a light-haired butler answered.
“How may I help you?” the butler asked with a hawk-like gaze.
Greydon reached into his jacket pocket and removed a calling card. “Is Lady Charlotte available for callers?”
“Who is asking?”
Greydon extended the card as he replied, “Lady Enid and Lord Rushcliffe.”
The butler accepted the card. “I’m afraid not. Perhaps you could come back at another time,” he said as he went to close the door.
Greydon put his hand out and held the door open. “I’m afraid we must insist,” he stated in a firm tone. “We have come on behalf of Lady Eugenie.”
The butler frowned as he opened the door. “Wait inside and I will go speak to Lady Charlotte at once. I can’t promise anything, mind you.”
“I understand,” Greydon said as he followed Enid into the entry hall.
As the butler disappeared into a room off the hall, Greydon turned towards her and said, “Let’s hope that this visit is not in vain.”
