Mrs. Warren’s face beamed. “Thank you!” she exclaimed. “What a delightful surprise.”
Edwina spoke up. “Everyone at Brockhall Manor sends their well wishes for Mr. Warren’s quick recovery.”
“That is most kind of them, and you,” Mrs. Warren replied with grateful sincerity. “Mr. Warren will want to see this basket.”
Mrs. Warren turned on her heel and stepped into a room off the small entry hall.
Edwina turned towards him and in a hushed voice said, “I have known the Warrens since I was young, and they are very dear to me.”
Miles eyed her curiously. “Are you worried that I won’t behave?”
“Just try to not be so earlish,” Edwina said.
“‘Earlish’?” he repeated back.
“Yes, it is a word,” Edwina responded.
He smirked. “I think you made it up.”
With a slight shrug of her shoulders, Edwina conceded, “Perhaps, but it still rings true.”
Miles leaned in slightly, matching her low tone. “And how does one go about being less ‘earlish’?” he asked in mock seriousness.
Edwina perused the length of him. “I don’t think it can be done,” she admitted.
As he went to reply, Mrs. Warren’s voice came from the doorway. “Are you coming, Dear?” she asked.
“Yes, Mrs. Warren,” she replied before she made her way into the next room.
Miles followed close behind, passing through a narrow threshold and into a small room. His eyes fell upon a tall,heavy-set man sitting on a chair, his foot propped up on a bench.
Edwina gestured towards him and provided the introductions. “Allow me to introduce Lord Hilgrove. He is a friend of my cousin’s,” she said.
Mrs. Warren looked upon him with approval in her eyes. “That was most kind of you to escort Lady Edwina here.”
“Oh, no. He didn’t escort me here,” Edwina rushed out. “We met on the path and he offered to accompany me.”
“Ah, thank you for that clarification,” Mrs. Warren said, a smile tugging at her lips.
Mr. Warren cleared his throat. “I would rise to properly greet you, my lord, but my wife would not approve of such action.”
“No, I wouldn’t,” Mrs. Warren confirmed.
Miles smiled. “Then you must do as your wife says,” he responded.
Mr. Warren tipped his head in response. “Indeed, it is always wise to listen to one’s wife. At least if you are a sane man, considering they are the ones to do the cooking.”
Mrs. Warren laughed. “Don’t worry, Dear, I have yet to poison you and I have no intention of doing so in the near future.”
Miles glanced at Edwina and saw that her lips were curved into a bright smile as she listened to the Warrens’ lighthearted conversation. It was evident in her expression that she felt comfortable here. With them.
Reaching for a book on the table next to him, Mr. Warren addressed Edwina. “I wish to return the book that I borrowed. I greatly enjoyed it.”
Edwina stepped forward and collected the book from him. “Would you care for another one?”
“That won’t be necessary since the doctor has given me permission to put pressure on my foot starting tomorrow,” Mr. Warren revealed.
“But the doctor also said you should take it easy,” Mrs. Warren pressed.
