Edwina looked up as he approached. “I see that you got the short straw,” she quipped.
“No, quite the opposite, in fact,” Miles said, coming to a stop by the bench. There wasn’t much room for him to sit down, as the goat took up most of the space. “May I ask where the goat came from?”
A smile came to Edwina’s face. “This is Matilda,” she announced proudly. “She is one of the Warrens’ goats and is constantly causing mischief.”
“You two seem quite close,” Miles observed.
“Looks can be deceiving,” Edwina said. “Matilda has claimed this bench as her own and anyone who sits here must be prepared to give her attention.”
Not wanting to stand any longer, Miles gently shifted the goat’s backside and squeezed onto the far end of the bench.
The goat let out a loud bleat in response.
Edwina’s eyes sparkled with mirth. “You have upset Matilda now.”
“Matilda needs to learn how to share,” Miles chided playfully.
“Well, she is just a goat after all.”
“That may be true, but it is no excuse,” Miles retorted.
Edwina ran her hand down the goat’s neck as she posedthe question, “Do you think it is time for me to find a husband?”
Miles gave her a look that he hoped was filled with compassion. “What do you truly want, Edwina?”
“I want to marry, but I haven’t even had my first Season,” Edwina replied, her voice tinged with hesitation. “Besides, it is not as if this village is overflowing with eligible suitors.”
“I understand your concerns. Marriage is not a decision to be made lightly,” Miles counseled. “When I met Arabella, my whole life changed, and for the better.”
Edwina grew silent. “Do you ever intend to remarry?”
“No, I do not,” he admitted truthfully. “My first marriage brought me great love and happiness, and I doubt that I would find something like that again.”
“That is fair.” Edwina lowered her gaze to the goat, her thoughts clearly troubled.
Sensing her unease, Miles gently prodded, “What is it?”
A line between Edwina’s brow appeared. “How did you know you were in love with Arabella?”
“That is easy,” Miles replied. “It was her smile. The first time I saw it, I knew I wanted to see it every day for the rest of my life.”
Doubt clouded Edwina’s eyes as she took a deep breath. “But what if… what if I do not find a love like yours? What if I am forced to settle for less?”
“You won’t be,” Miles asserted.
Edwina raised her gaze again, the vulnerability evident in her expression. “How can you be so sure?”
With gentle sincerity, Miles responded, “Because it is no less than you deserve.”
“It seems as if my uncle would have me marry anyone, just for the sake of marrying,” Edwina said with a touch of bitterness in her voice.
Miles held her gaze, hoping his next words would bringher some comfort. “You are a beautiful young woman with much to offer. Any gentleman would be lucky to have you.”
Edwina’s eyes widened in surprise. “You think I am beautiful?”
“I do,” he replied, not sure why he had just admitted that so freely. He may care for Edwina, but he had no intention of pursuing her. He couldn’t. His love for Arabella was still strong and he wouldn’t betray her memory.
“No one has called me beautiful before,” Edwina said, her voice barely above a whisper.
