“We have to stop meeting like this,” he joked.
A small smile tugged at her lips, but she remained quiet.
Sensing her unease, Miles offered his arm. “May I escort you to the drawing room?” he asked.
He could see the hesitation in Edwina’s eyes as she glanced down at his outstretched arm, but propriety won out and she gently placed her hand on it. “Thank you,” she murmured.
While he led her down the corridor, Edwina glanced over at him. “I wanted to thank you again for saving me from that runaway horse.”
“You don’t need to keep thanking me.”
“I know, but I feel as if I must.”
Miles nodded. “Then, please, continue to thank me and perhaps even heap some praise on me around your cousin. Ido quite enjoy being called ‘a hero,’” he teased with a playful wink.
Edwina lowered her gaze, but not before he saw a charming blush form on her cheeks. Perhaps he did have an effect on her. That was a rather pleasant thought.
Finding himself curious, Miles commented, “I couldn’t help but notice that you are no longer clad in black.”
She brought her gaze back up. “It seemed appropriate to enter into half-mourning for my father,” she explained.
“May I ask what prompted this change?”
With determination shining in her eyes, she answered, “After my brush with death, it made me realize that there was much that I haven’t accomplished.”
“What is it that you wish to achieve?” he probed gently.
She offered a small, uncertain smile. “I want to marry for love and start a family of my own,” she admitted. “You must think I am foolish.”
“Not at all. I find it admirable.” He hesitated before sharing, “In fact, I married for love and I do not regret that choice.” His voice caught on the last word.
Edwina looked up at him, green eyes full of understanding. “But you regret other choices?” she asked.
Miles cleared his throat. “I am a soldier. I have many regrets, I’m afraid, including asking my wife to join me on the Continent. If I hadn’t, she might very well be alive.”
“You don’t know that,” she said in a vain attempt to reassure him.
“I do know that she wouldn’t have been there when sickness broke out amongst the soldiers, claiming her life in the process,” Miles insisted as he worked hard to keep the bitterness out of his tone.
They reached the top step of the grand staircase and Edwina turned to face him. “Your wife’s death wasn’t your fault.”
“Then whose fault was it?” Miles demanded, his emotions laying bare. “I asked her to come.”
Edwina’s expression grew determined. “Did you force her to come with you?” she asked pointedly.
“No, but Arabella could have remained back in England, where it was safe, had I not asked her,” Miles declared.
“I see,” Edwina said. “So you are a fortune-teller, then? You can predict the future.”
“You don’t understand,” he scoffed.
Edwina held his gaze. “I do,” she replied. “You are blaming yourself for her accompanying you, but what if she had died while you were away? I suspect that you would have blamed yourself for that as well.”
Miles grew silent, unable to deny the truth in her words. “Yes, I would have,” he reluctantly admitted.
Taking a step closer to him, Edwina said, “Arabella’s death was tragic, but you played no hand in it. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, bad things still happen to good people.”
He clenched his jaw. “It was my duty to protect her,” he said through gritted teeth. “And I failed her.”
