“Perhaps you should rest after retrieving the book,” her aunt suggested. “You seem rather out of sorts.”
“That is an excellent idea. I will do just that,” Edwina stated.
Her aunt paused for a moment before continuing down the corridor. “If you need me, send one of the servants to collect me,” she said over her shoulder.
“I will, Aunt Catherine. And thank you,” Edwina assured her.
As her aunt disappeared around the corner, Edwina let out a sigh of relief, grateful that was over and done with.
The corners of Miles’ lips twitched as he joked, “I must say, that was quite an impressive performance. Have you ever considered a career in the theater?”
“I tend to get a little flustered when I’m caught doing something I’m not supposed to do,” Edwina admitted.
“I can see that,” Miles said with amusement in his voice. “It was almost painful to witness.”
With a roll of her eyes, Edwina couldn’t help but smile at his teasing. “Well, thank you for your honest critique,” she remarked.
Miles gestured towards the study door. “The sooner you get in there, the sooner it will be over.”
“That is some good advice.”
“Stop stalling Edwina,” Miles encouraged. “You are more than capable of engaging in subterfuge. In fact, I might even put in a good word to Wellington for you. He is always looking for a few good spies.”
Edwina couldn’t help but laugh at his absurd remark. “Please don’t,” she said. “Wish me luck.”
Miles leaned closer, his warm breath tickling her ear. “You don’t need luck,” he whispered reassuringly. “I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”
And she believed him.
Miles stood guard outside of Lord Dallington’s study as Edwina searched for her father’s will. Though he appeared calm and collected, he was anything but. If anyone caught Edwina rifling through her uncle’s desk, there would be consequences. But he wasn’t about to let anything bad happen to her.
He would protect her, at all costs. It didn’t quite make sense why he felt so protective of her, but he did. It may have had something to do with the feelings that he had developed for her. But those feelings were in no way reciprocated. Which was good. Edwina was a friend and he didn’t want to hurt her.
He glanced in the study and saw Edwina searching her uncle’s desk. She was moving fast, and he hoped she was giving the attention that was required. He didn’t want her to miss anything.
A smile came to his lips as he thought about how Edwina wanted him to do a bird call as a warning sign of someone approaching. She was something special. That was for sure. She could make him smile even when he was determined to wallow in his own misery.
A gasp came from within the study. He watched as she read a paper on her uncle’s desk, her expression changing from shock to anger. Without a word, she met his gaze, and he knew that she had found the will. Her uncle had indeed deceived her.
In a hushed voice, Miles instructed, “Keep the will but put everything back just the way you found it.”
He could see the panic in her eyes, but she quickly composed herself and did as he had instructed. Once she stepped away from the desk, she hurried over to him and opened her mouth.
Miles held up a hand to stop her words. “Not here,” he whispered. “Let’s take a tour of the gardens.”
Edwina nodded her understanding and followed him towards the rear of the manor. A footman opened the door and they stepped outside into the warm sunshine.
The gardens were alive with vibrant colors and sweet scents. Once they were walking down a path, Miles asked, “How much did your father leave you?”
Edwina looked surprised by his question. “Ten thousand pounds,” she replied. “How did you know?”
Miles grinned. “You are truly terrible at hiding your emotions.”
A soft blush spread across Edwina’s cheeks and she murmured, “Oh, I hadn’t realized.”
“To be honest, I find it rather refreshing,” Miles said. “Although, you must learn to place a mask on when dealing with theton. One mustn’t give too much away when you enter high Society.”
Edwina grew quiet as she looked into his eyes, searching for answers that he knew he couldn’t provide. “What am I to do?” she asked.
