“Well, you better start getting used to it because the marriage mart is not for the faint of heart,” Miles teased.
Edwina smiled, and it was as if the day had gotten brighter because of it. “Thank you, Miles,” she said with genuine gratitude in her voice.
“That is what any good friend is for,” he responded. “Shall we return to breakfast?”
“No, I think I would like to stay here,” Edwina replied.
Miles settled back into his seat, content to sit in the peaceful gardens with Edwina by his side. “If you have no objections, I believe I shall remain with you.”
“I have none.”
“Good, because I doubt Matilda would have let me leave anyway,” Miles joked.
As he basked in the warm sun and the gentle breeze, Miles knew that he was in trouble. He had little doubt that Edwina’s large dowry and connection would make her well received by theton. But the mere thought of Edwina being pursued by anyone did not settle well with him.
Chapter Ten
Edwina sifted through the gowns in her wardrobe, her fingers lingering on the soft silk and intricate lace. She needed a gown for a specific purpose- sneaking into her uncle’s study. She was wearing a lavender gown, but she wasn’t sure if it would attract any unwanted attention. Did any of her gowns cause unwanted attention, she wondered.
This was ridiculous.
With a sigh, she chided herself on overthinking this and just walked out to meet Miles in the entry hall. But even as she made her way down the corridor, her heart raced with nervous anticipation. It wasn’t like her to partake in such underhanded actions, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask her uncle for answers. If he was indeed lying to her, she would confront him about it. Until then, she would unravel the truth on her own terms.
As she descended the grand staircase, her eyes settled upon Miles. He looked dashing in his fitted blue jacket and buff trousers. Where had that thought even come from, she wondered. She needed to stay focused on the important matter at hand instead of getting lost in thoughts about his handsomeness.
Miles smiled as she approached. “Are you ready?” he asked, his voice low.
Edwina hesitated before answering. “Yes… no,” she admitted, fidgeting with the folds of her lavender gown. “Am I dressed appropriately?”
“Yes, you are.”
“But what if my gown attracts too much attention?” Edwina asked. “Or is it sneaky enough?”
“Lavender is indeed a very sneaky color,” Miles teased, his smile widening.
Edwina lowered her hands to her sides. “Perhaps I should have worn my dark green gown instead. No one would have suspected me then.”
Miles cocked his head. “I do not think it would have made a difference.”
“But it does,” Edwina insisted. “Everyone knows that yellow is the sneakiest of all colors. It is too bright, too suspicious. What could that color be hiding?”
“I do not think yellow is hiding anything,” Miles responded.
Edwina arched an eyebrow. “What color do you think would be best for espionage?”
“Black,” came his simple reply.
With a bob of her head, Edwina said, “You are right. Can I change my answer?”
Miles glanced over his shoulder before lowering his voice. “You are overthinking this,” he assured her. “You are just going to step into your uncle’s office for a book and no one will be the wiser.”
“What if someone asks me which book I am looking for?” Edwina asked.
“No one will,” Miles said.
“But what if they do?” Her brow furrowed in worry and she nervously wrung her hands together.
Miles placed a hand on her sleeve, his touch warm and comforting. “All right. What is your favorite book?”
