Edwina’s eyes held uncertainty as she said, “Thank you for coming when you did. You saved me… again.”
If he were a smart man, he would just acknowledge her words and be done with it. But he couldn’t seem to quiet the alarming thoughts in his head.
“What were you thinking?” Miles asked, his words coming out harsh. Too harsh. “You could have been killed!”
Edwina lowered her gaze. “I saw a light coming from the study and I went to investigate. When I saw Mr. Stanley in here, I didn’t think he would hurt me.”
“Well, you were wrong,” Miles stated. “If it wasn’t for meand Bennett, you could have…” He couldn’t finish his sentence.
“I know, and I am sorry,” Edwina said, her voice contrite.
Miles took a few deep breaths, attempting to calm his pounding heart. “You can’t take these types of risks, Edwina. Do you not think of anyone but yourself?”
Bringing her gaze back up, Edwina’s eyes held a fierceness to them and he knew he had gone too far. “If it weren’t for me, we would never have discovered Mr. Stanley’s deceit.”
Miles took a step closer to her. “It may have taken more time, but the truth would have come out.”
“And how many people would have suffered during that time?” Edwina demanded, her gaze challenging him.
“Do you not realize how close you came to dying?” Miles asked.
“I do, but…”
Miles spoke over her. “No ‘buts,’ Edwina. Your actions were careless and foolish,” he said, his words firm.
Edwina stared at him for a moment before her eyes started glimmering from unshed tears. Without saying another word, she ducked her head and fled from the room.
Miles watched her retreating figure, knowing he was a fool. He should have wrapped her up in his arms and never let her go.
Bennett cleared his throat. “That was poorly done on your part.”
“I know,” Miles said with a sigh.
“You should go after her,” Bennett urged.
Miles huffed. “Yes, because this conversation went so well. I just came so close to losing her and it frightened me.”
Bennett took a step closer to him. “Tell that to Edwina, not to me. She deserves to know the truth- all of it.”
“And if she still rejects my offer?” Miles asked with a slight wince.
“Then at least you tried.”
Miles glanced towards the door. “I don’t even know where she went.”
“If I know my cousin, she is in the rear of the gardens, next to the birch tree. There is a bench there that she likes to sit on,” Bennett said.
With a grateful look at his friend, Miles departed from the study and with purposeful strides hurried down the path that led to the birch tree.
When he arrived, he saw Edwina was sitting on the bench and she was wiping the tears that were falling down her cheeks.
Not wishing to startle her, Miles said in a gentle voice, “Edwina.”
Edwina’s eyes went wide at the sight of him before she turned away. “Go away, Miles,” she said, her voice filled with pain and anger. “I wish to be alone.”
“That is fair,” Miles admitted, stepping closer. “But I have come to apologize, and I am hoping that you will hear me out.”
With her back still turned to him, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I look a fright.”
