With an unapologetic look at Bennett, she boldly stated, “Miles is my fiancé and that means I can kiss him whenever I want.”
“And you will hear no complaints from me, my dear,” Miles remarked.
Bennett looked heavenward. “This is going to be a long three weeks,” he muttered under his breath.
Edwina felt as though her heart would burst with happiness. She was engaged to be married to Miles, and she couldn’t wipe the smile off her face since they had announced their engagement last night. She eagerly looked forward to building a life with him, one where they would never have to be apart.
Martha’s voice broke through her musings. “Are you pleased with your hair, my lady?” she asked, taking a step back.
Edwina turned her head to admire the elegant coiffure in the mirror. “It is perfect,” she declared.
“You are happy,” Martha said. It wasn’t so much a question as a statement.
“I am,” Edwina admitted.
Martha nodded knowingly. “Good. You deserve every bit of it,” she remarked. “You should depart if you wish to join your family for breakfast.”
With a grateful look, Edwina rose from her seat and opened the door, only to be greeted by a pleasant surprise. Miles stood leaning against the wall with a single red rose inhis hand. As soon as he caught sight of her, he straightened up and his eyes lit up with adoration.
Miles closed the distance between them and presented her with the single rose. “I saw this rose and it reminded me of you.”
“Thank you,” she said, accepting the rose. “That was most thoughtful of you.”
He gazed at her intently. “I hope that whenever you gaze upon it, you will think of me.”
Edwina leaned closer to him, feeling overwhelmed by his love. “That will not be difficult since you are always in my thoughts.”
“As are you in mine,” Miles whispered tenderly.
Their moment was interrupted by Winston’s voice echoing down the corridor. “Perhaps it would be best if you just eloped to Gretna Green. I won’t say anything if it will make this stop.”
Miles chuckled, his eyes still fixed on her. “I just came to escort Edwina down to breakfast.”
“It looks like you were about to engage in something else,” Winston said. He softened his words with a smile.
Edwina turned towards her cousin. “We are engaged to be married,” she pointed out. “In the eyes of theton, we are practically married.”
“Yes, but we are not in London and these displays of affection are growing rather tiresome,” Winston remarked.
“We only got engaged last night,” Edwina said.
Winston smirked. “Yet my statement still stands.”
Miles extended his arm towards Edwina. “May I escort you down to the dining room?”
“Yes, but you must allow me to give the rose to my lady’s maid so she can put it on the table by my bed,” Edwina replied.
It was only a moment later that they made their waytowards the main floor with a comfortable silence coming over them.
They arrived in the entry hall and White approached them. “Lord Dallington has requested your presence in his study,” he announced. “All of you.”
“I suppose breakfast can wait,” Winston said. “I wonder what my father wishes to speak to us about at such an early hour.”
It was only a few moments before they arrived at the study and Edwina saw Bennett and her uncle hunched over the desk, reviewing the ledger. Together.
Her uncle’s head came up when they came closer to the desk. “Good, you are all here,” he said. “Catherine should be down in just a moment.”
As if on cue, her aunt stepped into the room. “I am here. You may start your apology.”
