“Maybe it should be,” she joked. “After one is introduced, they should follow up with whether or not they can whistle.”
Miles let out a slight huff. “For what purpose?”
“Merely conversational,” she responded. “It is fascinating.”
“It is hardly fascinating. I am sure I can do things that you can’t.”
Edwina tilted her chin. “Name one.”
“Well, to begin, I have attended university and participated in fisticuffs on occasion,” Miles said.
“I could engage in fisticuffs if I wanted to,” Edwina countered. “But I prefer to solve my problems without using my fists.”
Miles chuckled. “You could never hit someone, even if you wanted to.”
“I could, given the right reasons,” she asserted.
“No, you couldn’t,” he insisted. “Your kind heart would never allow you to intentionally inflict pain on another person.”
Edwina had to admit that Miles had a point, albeit reluctantly. She had never seen a reason to hit someone before.
As she opened her mouth to respond, Miles placed his finger against his lips and tilted his head towards the cottage. Her uncle emerged from the door, his top hat perched perfectly on his head, while a tall, slender woman appeared behind him, dressed in a simple gown. A young boy clung to her side.
With an affectionate smile, her uncle crouched down and opened his arms to the child who eagerly leapt into them. He released the child and embraced the woman.
Edwina felt a pang of anger as she watched from afar. It was evident what her uncle was doing at the cottage.
Miles placed his hand on her arm. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.
“My uncle has a whole other family, hidden away rightunder our noses,” Edwina said through clenched teeth, her hands balling into tight fists. “I can’t believe this. My poor aunt. My poor cousins. What this will do to them.”
“We don’t know for certain that was his mistress,” Miles admitted.
Edwina’s lips pursed in disbelief. “Surely you cannot be serious?” she asked. “Who else could that woman possibly be?”
Miles remained calm, his eyes warm and understanding as he spoke. “I understand your frustration but let’s not make assumptions until we have all the facts. Perhaps I could go speak to this woman and gather more information.”
“And say what?” Edwina asked. “Besides, if you do such a thing, then my uncle would surely find out.”
“You are right,” Miles conceded.
She took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling with the weight of her anger. “I think I could punch my uncle,” she declared.
“I wouldn’t blame you if you did,” Miles said. “But let’s not resort to violence just yet.”
Edwina unclenched her fists and took a step back, trying to calm herself. “Should we tell Bennett?”
“Hold on,” Miles replied. “If we are wrong about this, we could cause unnecessary pain to your family.”
“But if we are right?” Edwina pressed.
Miles sighed deeply. “I don’t know, but I think we should keep this between us for now. Just until we can gather more proof.”
“If you think that is best.”
“I do,” Miles affirmed. “But it won’t be easy for you. You will have to pretend that all is well, despite knowing what you know.”
Edwina nodded resolutely. “I can do that.”
