“I have many,” Edwina replied. “Not that I object to dancing with you, but the fact that all eyes will surely be upon us when we join my aunt and uncle on the dance floor.”
With a curious glance at her, Miles asked, “Dare I ask if you are a proficient dancer?”
“I am a much better dancer than I am a singer,” she responded.
His lips curled into a smirk. “That doesn’t give me much hope then.”
“I would say my dancing is perfectly adequate,” Edwina said.
“That is what every dance partner wishes to hear,” he teased, his eyes sparking with amusement.
Edwina laughed. “I promise that I won’t step on your boots or trip you,” she said. “But it has been quite some time since I danced a set.”
“Well, that makes two of us. My last dance was with Arabella…” His words trailed off as a pained look came into his eyes.
Unsure of how to respond, she gently asked, “Would you prefer if we didn’t dance?”
After a moment, the pain seemed to dissipate from his eyes and the familiar light returned. “No, no,” he said quickly, shaking his head. “I am glad that I am dancing a set with you.” His words sounded genuine.
“I don’t want to make you uncomfortable…” Edwina started.
Miles stopped and turned to face her, stilling her words. “I want to dance with you, Edwina. You must know that.”
Holding his gaze, she asked softly, “But will it bring back painful memories?”
A determined look came over Miles’ features as he spoke in a resolute voice. “I have decided it is time to create new memories.”
A blush crept up Edwina’s cheeks at his words. “That is good,” she remarked, pleased that her voice remained steady.
A look of uncertainty flashed across Miles’ expression- a stark contrast to his usual confident demeanor. “Actually, there is something I wanted to speak to you about,” he said hesitantly.
“We are speaking,” she joked.
“Yes, we are, but?—”
The booming voice of Winston echoed down the corridor, interrupting their conversation. “Did you two get lost?” he called out.
Miles quickly took a step back from Edwina, creating more distance between them. “No, we were just conversing with one another.”
Coming to stand next to them, Winston’s eyes darted between them. “Dare I ask what you two were speaking of?”
Miles opened his mouth to speak, but Edwina spoke first. “The weather, Cousin,” she said. “Was it not a lovely day today?”
A frown came to Winston’s lips. “Fine. Do not tell me, but we should adjourn to the library before anyone comes looking for us.”
They walked the short distance to the library in silence. Upon entering, she saw her aunt and uncle conversing with Bennett.
Her aunt turned towards her with a bright smile. “Oh, my. Edwina, you look positively stunning!” she exclaimed. “That ballgown is rather exquisite.”
Edwina smoothed a hand over the delicate fabric of hergown. “It was commissioned before my father passed,” she shared.
“Well, you will shine among the other guests this evening,” her aunt remarked.
Her uncle perused the length of her and said, “I must agree with my wife. That ballgown does suit you.”
Surprised by her uncle’s comment- despite how lackluster it was- Edwina found herself smiling. “Thank you, Uncle.”
Her aunt’s attention then turned to Melody and Elodie as they entered the room, both clad in identical pale blue gowns with their hair styled in a similar fashion.
