"Why is that?"
"Because she wants a love match,” Miles admitted.
Winston raised an eyebrow inquisitively. “Yes, and…?”
Miles winced. “I cannot love her.”
“Pardon?”
With a heavy heart, Miles confessed, “I love Arabella…”
Winston put his hand up, stilling his words. “I know this, but why do you believe you couldn’t love Edwina?”
“I cannot betray Arabella’s memory,” Miles said.
Crossing his arms over his chest, Winston studied him intently for a long moment before saying, “I know you want to believe that, but it isn’t true.”
Now it was Miles’ turn to ask, “Pardon?”
Winston’s eyes held compassion as he replied, “You love Edwina. It is evident every time you lay eyes on her. It is rather revolting, if I must be honest.”
“You must be mistaken.”
Dropping his arms to his sides, Winston said, “As a barrister, I deal in facts, not emotions. And it is a simple fact that you love Edwina.” He gave him a pointed look. “Tell me I am wrong.”
Miles shifted his gaze towards the veranda, knowing that Edwina was still out there. Alone. And all he wanted was to be with her.
To love her.
He closed his eyes as the truth dawned on him. He did love Edwina. He had fought against it for so long, but he could deny it no longer. He loved her, and he always would.
Miles opened his eyes and confessed, “I love her.”
Winston gave him a smug smile. “I know,” he responded. “Now what are you going to do about it?”
Hope blossomed in his heart as he responded, “I am going to offer for her… again. But this time, I will tell her how much I love her.”
“That is a good start, but you might have to grovel.”
Miles nodded, knowing that Winston spoke true. “I am not opposed to groveling.”
After he said his words, Miss Bawden joined them with a concerned look on her face. She leaned in and whispered, “Have either of you seen Edwina?”
“She is on the veranda,” Miles replied.
Miss Bawden shook her head. “I looked outside and I saw no sign of her.”
Miles eyed her with disbelief. “That is impossible. I just saw her go outside.”
“As did I, which is why I decided to go after her,” Miss Bawden said.
Winston turned his head towards the veranda. “Surely you must have missed her,” he remarked dismissively.
Miss Bawden’s eyes flashed with annoyance. “Yes, because I often manage to overlook a whole person.” Her words were dry.
“I never said that, but Edwina might have ventured further into the gardens,” Winston said.
“Why didn’t I think of that?” Miss Bawden asked. “Oh, wait. I did. And I searched the gardens.”
