Placing a hand over his heart in mock sincerity, Bennett replied, “It is a time that I have grown to cherish.”
“Spare me the theatrics,” Miles grumbled.
Winston took a step towards him and replied, “We just want a moment of your time. That is all.”
“Well, you have it,” Miles said curtly, crossing his arms over his chest. “What is it that you want?”
With a knowing smirk, Winston remarked, “You are much less agreeable with Edwina not around.”
Bennett nodded in agreement. “I told you as much.”
“That you did,” Winston agreed. “Which makes me wonder why that is.
Miles frowned, feeling like he was being interrogated by his friends. “You are reading too much into this.”
“Am I?” Winston asked.
“Yes, Lady Edwina and I are just friends,” Miles asserted firmly.
With a curious glint in his eyes, Winston studied Miles intently. “Is that what you truly want? Or Edwina?”
Miles held his friend’s gaze and responded, “It is what we both want.”
“Have you discussed this with her?” Winston pressed.
“There is no need,” Miles said. “We have an understanding of friendship.”
Winston exchanged a glance with Bennett before asking, “You clearly hold my cousin in high regard, why do you not wish to pursue her?”
Miles felt his back grow rigid, growing more frustrated with each passing moment. “I do not know what you speak of. Again, we are just friends.”
Bennett let out a sigh. “You are in denial, I see.”
“No, I am simply living in reality,” Miles said. “In a week or so, I will go my way and Lady Edwina will go hers.”
“And yet you offered to help her during the Season,” Winston pointed out.
Miles pressed his lips together before saying, “This conversation is over. I have told you what you wanted to know, and now I am going down to dinner.”
As Miles started down the dimly lit corridor, he hoped that his friends would drop it and they could move on from this.
Unfortunately, that was not the case.
Winston matched his stride and his voice was gentle yet persistent. “Is this about Arabella? Because she would want you to find happiness again.”
Miles came to an abrupt halt and turned to face his friend, annoyance growing inside of him. “You do not get to presume what my wife would want,” he said firmly.
“You seem to forget that I was friends with Arabella long before you came along,” Winston responded.
“I would proceed very cautiously,” Miles warned.
Winston’s eyes held compassion. “There is no shame in moving on, Miles.”
“I love my wife,” Miles declared.
“I know, but she is no longer with us,” Winston said. “You can’t live in the past and expect a brighter future.”
Miles narrowed his eyes. “You do not get to preach to me about my past. You have no idea what I have gone through. What depths of pain I have had to endure.”
