“As do I,” Bennett responded. “I don’t know why my father has been so insistent that he handles the accounts. It makes me wonder what else he is hiding.”
Edwina kept her voice low as she asked, “Did you tell Winston about your father’s mistress?”
“No,” Bennett said with a shake of his head. “I want to speak to my father first.”
“When do you intend to do that?” Miles asked.
Bennett’s eyes held a sadness to them as he replied, “Tomorrow, after the soiree. I must admit that I am not looking forward to this difficult conversation, but it must be done.”
Edwina gave her cousin an encouraging look. “Would you like me to accompany you?”
“I appreciate the offer, but this is something I have to do on my own,” Bennett stated.
As he uttered his words, Lady Dallington stepped into the room and said, “Edwina, there you are. It is time for you to start getting ready for the soiree. I just sent Elodie and Melody up to their bedchambers.”
Edwina tipped her head. “Yes, Aunt Catherine,” she responded before giving Miles a private smile.
Once Edwina departed from the room, Lady Dallington met Miles’ gaze and said, “I was hoping to speak to you in private.”
Bennett performed an exaggerated bow. “I do believe that is my cue to leave,” he declared before he stepped out, leaving them alone.
Lady Dallington gestured towards the settees and asked, “Shall we sit for a moment?”
Unsure of what Lady Dallington wished to speak to him about, Miles walked over to the settee and sat down with an expectant gaze.
A smile came to her lips, setting him at ease. “How are you faring?” she asked.
“I am well,” came his honest reply.
Lady Dallington seemed to consider him for a moment before saying, “I can’t help but notice the remarkable change that has come over you since you arrived at our doorstep.” She paused. “And I do believe that Edwina had something to do with that.”
Miles saw no reason to deny that fact. “It is true,” hereplied. “She helped me to look past my grief and made me realize that I was living in the past.”
“Yes, and you helped Edwina as well,” Lady Dallington said.
“I do believe we helped each other.”
Lady Dallington’s smile grew. “Yes, you did, which is why I think you two would be perfect for one another.”
Miles shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “As do I, but I can’t convince Edwina to marry me.”
“Do you know why that is?”
His jaw clenched as he admitted, “I can’t give her the one thing that she so desperately wants- love.”
“Interesting, and why is that?” Lady Dallington asked. “After all, you two are quite enamored with one another.”
Miles decided it would be best just to be honest with Lady Dallington. “I love my wife, Arabella, and it is my duty to love her to the end of my days,” he said in an unwavering voice.
Understanding crossed Lady Dallington’s features. “Did you know that I was married before Lionel?”
Miles shook his head. “No, I did not.”
“I, too, married the love of my life, and we set out to have a life together,” Lady Dallington shared, her eyes growing reflective. “But he died shortly thereafter, leaving me alone. Rather than let me grieve, my father was insistent that I marry again and even arranged a marriage with Lionel.”
Miles remained quiet, unsure of what to say.
Lady Dallington continued. “Lionel was persistent in his affection, just as I suspect you are, and I grew to love him.”
