“No more than any friend would,” Miles said, attempting to ward off Winston’s anger.
“Winston!” Lady Dallington exclaimed as she appeared in the doorway of the drawing room. “You have finally arrived.”
Leaning towards Miles, Winston spoke in a hushed voice, “We will continue this conversation later.” With that, he rushed over to his mother’s awaiting arms. “Mother!”
Lady Dallington embraced her son warmly. “How I have missed you! Your visits are far too infrequent.”
“I’m afraid I have responsibilities in London that I must see to,” Winston shared.
Taking a step back, Lady Dallington said, “You work too hard. You must learn to have fun. Perhaps even take a wife.”
Winston let out an exasperated huff. “Bennett first.”
“I fear that Bennett is a lost cause, at least in the marriage department,” Lady Dallington sighed.
Bennett frowned. “You do realize I can hear you, Mother.”
Lady Dallington’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “Of course, Dear. I made sure to say it loud enough for you to hear,” she said before turning her attention back to Winston. “Are you hungry? Tired?”
Winston brought a hand to his stomach. “Actually, now that you mention it, I am rather famished. The food at the boarding house was rather lacking this morning.”
“Then let us go to the kitchen and have the cook prepare your favorites,” Lady Dallington suggested.
“Before we go, is Father in his study?” Winston asked. “I should greet him.”
Lady Dallington’s smile faltered. “I’m afraid not. He had some business to attend to in the village, but he should be returning shortly.”
Miles noticed Edwina’s back had grown rigid at the mention of her uncle’s absence. Seeking out her gaze, he saw a profound sadness in her eyes that made his heart ache for her. If only he could make everything better for Edwina, but he knew he was fighting an uphill battle.
Still, he was determined to try… for her sake.
Chapter Thirteen
Miles stood by his bedchamber door, fidgeting with the sleeves of his jacket as he waited for the dinner bell to ring. He was hoping to escort Edwina down to dinner. Ever since Winston had returned home, he hadn’t been able to spend much time with her, and he missed her.
Botheration.
He shouldn’t be so excited to see Edwina. But they were friends. That should count for something. Even though that line was starting to blur as his feelings grew deeper for her.
Bailey’s voice broke through his thoughts. “May I ask what you are waiting for?”
Miles turned towards Bailey and explained, “The dinner bell to be rung.”
“I assure you that there is nothing wrong with being first to dinner, my lord,” Bailey responded with amusement in his voice.
Miles chuckled. “I am aware of that, but I am hoping to escort Lady Edwina down to dinner.”
As if on cue, the distant sound of the dinner bell echoed throughout the manor, signaling the start of their evening meal.
“I do hope you have an enjoyable evening,” Bailey remarked.
Miles eagerly went to open the door, his heart fluttering with the anticipation of seeing Edwina. But his excitement was short-lived as he saw Winston and Bennett leaning against the wall, waiting for him in the corridor.
Stepping out of his bedchamber, Miles asked, “What is this?”
Bennett straightened from the wall, a smile playing on his lips. “We have come to escort you to dinner.”
“Why?” Miles questioned.
