Miles knitted his brows together, genuinely puzzled. “Why would anyone pity you?”
Her gaze grew distant. “Why, indeed?” she asked. “I am an orphan and I have to rely on my uncle for support.”
A sympathetic frown formed on Miles’ face. “That is your uncle’s duty to do so. I must assume he is your guardian.”
“He is, but I do not wish to be ‘a duty,’” Edwina responded with a bitter undertone. “My uncle barely seems to tolerate me these days.”
Miles felt a surge of empathy for Edwina’s plight. “I do not know what I can say that could help you.”
Edwina’s shoulders drooped, no doubt weighed down by her troubles. “That is the thing. I don’t know what you could say either. It is the plight of being a female, I suppose.”
Miles wished he had the perfect words to offer solace, to dispel the sadness not just from her eyes but from the depths of her soul. However, he felt useless to help. He couldn’t even seem to help himself. Why would he think he could help another?
He watched as Edwina went to retrieve her horse and lead him back to the large rock. In a swift motion, she used the rock to climb onto her saddle.
“I could have helped you,” Miles pointed out.
“You could have, but I have learned to manage on my own,” Edwina said, a tinge of vulnerability in her voice.
Miles stepped closer to her horse and placed a hand on its neck. “I will have you know that your cousin loves you very much.”
Edwina bobbed her head. “I love Bennett. He has been a saving grace to me ever since my father died. Without him, and my aunt, I don’t know how I would have survived thesepast few months. He understands me without words and offers unwavering support. It has been nice to have such an ally by my side.”
“What of Lord Winston?”
“He is in London, working as a barrister. He is determined to prove himself as more than just a second son,” Edwina shared. “He came home for my father’s funeral but departed shortly thereafter. I do believe he is expected home when Elodie and Melody return from boarding school.”
“Are you close with your other cousins?”
A wistful smile played on Edwina’s lips. “I am. They used to come spend the summers at Brockhall Manor and we would have such fun. It was a time that I greatly cherish.”
“That sounds perfect.”
“It was,” Edwina agreed, her eyes reflecting the fond memories. “We would stay up late, wake up early, and go swimming in the pond, much to my father’s chagrin. It was rather idyllic, at least while it lasted. We all seemed to grow up much too fast.”
“I do believe that is a common sentiment.”
Edwina adjusted the reins in her hand, her fingers tracing the contours thoughtfully. “I tried to convince my father to send me to the same boarding school as Elodie and Melody, but he was adamant that I have a governess. I think he wanted to keep me close.”
“Do you blame him for that?”
“No, especially now,” Edwina replied. “I’m glad that I was able to spend so much time with him, not knowing how long it would last.”
Miles took a step back. “If only we had more time with our loved ones. Sometimes they are taken much too early.”
“I agree, wholeheartedly.”
An unusual calm settled upon him, and he found himself drawn to linger in Edwina’s presence. It felt as if his soul could finally breathe again. It was unnerving, and yet, all hefelt was calm. Peace. It was a feeling that he hadn’t felt for some time.
Unsure of why she had elicited such a reaction in him, Miles remarked, “I should not keep you any longer, but I have enjoyed conversing with you.”
“And I, you,” Edwina responded. “I shall see you back at the manor.”
Miles gave her a chiding look. “Do try to avoid riding at such a breakneck speed.”
“What is the point, then?” Edwina retorted.
He chuckled. “I see that stubbornness is a family trait,” he joked.
