They stepped down onto the marble floor and headedtowards the drawing room. He didn’t truly need Edwina’s assistance to locate the drawing room, but he was glad that he had asked her. She conversed with him, despite being reluctant to do so. But that had been enough… for now.
As they stepped into the drawing room, Miles saw Bennett conversing with his mother in the center of the room.
When Lady Dallington saw him, her eyes lit up. “Miles, it is so good to see you,” she exclaimed. “It has been far too long.”
Miles bowed. “Yes, it has, my lady.” He had always enjoyed spending time with Lady Dallington. She not only exuded a welcoming warmth but also had a talent for making everyone in her presence feel cherished. There had always been a slight pang of envy towards Bennett, considering Miles had lost his own mother at a young age.
Lady Dallington shifted her attention towards Edwina. “You look lovely, my dear.”
Edwina offered her an appreciative glance. “Thank you,” she replied before moving to stand by her aunt.
Bennett approached him and said in a hushed voice, “I was rather surprised to see you enter with my cousin. Did she show you the way to the drawing room?”
“She did,” Miles replied, choosing not to disclose that he had known the way all along. He was just being a gentleman.
“Did Edwina actually speak to you?” Bennett inquired.
“Yes, and we had a nice conversation,” he admitted.
Bennett gave him a look of surprise. “That is rather interesting, considering my cousin is not one to talk with strangers.”
“We aren’t exactly strangers, as I was properly introduced to her,” Miles pointed out.
“I recall since I was the one who introduced you two,” Bennett said, a smirk playing on his lips. “Dare I ask what you two spoke about?”
Miles shook his head, trying to brush off the prying question. “Aren’t you being rather intrusive?” he asked.
“More intrigued than anything else,” Bennett replied.
Sighing, Miles gave in. “If you must know, we spoke about John.”
Bennett’s brow lifted. “You don’t speak of John too often.”
“No, I don’t,” Miles agreed, hoping to put an end to this line of questioning. Talking about his brother’s death was far too painful.
However, Bennett either didn’t care or didn’t notice his discomfort. “I have thought of John often these past few months.”
Miles scoffed. There wasn’t a day that went by that he didn’t think about his brother or Arabella. “Would you like a medal?” he grumbled.
He knew he was being rude but he couldn’t seem to help himself. Opening up meant risking what he might reveal, and vulnerability was not something he could afford at the moment. Not here. Not now.
Undeterred by his brusque remark, Bennett persisted, “I hope you know you aren’t alone in this. Many people share in your grief.”
Miles stared back at his friend in disbelief. Bennett couldn’t possibly understand the agony of losing a wife, an unborn child, and a brother, all within a few months of each other. His friend might offer sympathy, but the depth of pain Miles endured every single day went beyond anyone’s comprehension.
His unrelenting grief had led his commanding officer to strongly advise him to sell his commission, citing distraction. It wasn’t just the loss of his family. He had lost his career, something he had worked diligently to obtain. And it was all gone in one fell swoop.
As he debated on the words that he would unleash on hisfriend, Lord Dallington entered the room and greeted him. “Welcome to our home, Miles.”
“Thank you, my lord,” Miles said, hoping his words sounded cordial enough.
Lord Dallington approached his wife and kissed her on the cheek. “You look enchanting this evening, Wife.”
Lady Dallington smiled, murmuring her thanks.
The warmth in Lord Dallington’s voice seemed to diminish as he turned to acknowledge his niece. “Edwina,” he said in a curt tone. “How did you occupy your time today?”
Edwina clasped her hands in front of her. “I called upon Mr. and Mrs. Warren at their cottage. Mr. Warren had a terrible fall and injured himself,” she shared.
