Edwina stepped forward and placed her hand over his heart. “If we did marry, I would want all of you, including all the spaces of your heart.”
Miles grew somber. “I can’t give you that, at least right now.”
“Would you be ready in the future?”
His face fell. “I don’t know,” he said, his words sounding pained.
Edwina took a step back. “Thank you for trying to do the honorable thing. You are a good man, perhaps the best that I know. But I would rather remain a spinster than marry a man that couldn’t love me.”
And with that, she turned and hurried down the path, not bothering to wait for Miles. She then realized that she had made a terrible mistake. She had fallen in love with him.
Chapter Fifteen
Miles watched as Edwina walked away and he let out a sigh. It was a matter of honor for him to marry her, at least that is what he kept telling himself. He knew that she wanted love, but he couldn’t give that to her. How could he? He loved his late wife and she had died, leaving him broken.
He couldn’t risk that, not again. It was better to marry Edwina and keep his emotions tucked away. It was the only way he could think of that he could protect himself from the heartache that would eventually come.
Edwina may be against this marriage for now, but she would come around. She had to. And he would be good to her.
He hurried to catch up with Edwina and remarked, “You are a remarkably fast walker when you are angry.”
She glanced over at him. “I’m not angry.”
“You aren’t?”
“No, I am sad.”
Miles furrowed his brow. He had anticipated her anger, but not sadness. “May I ask why that is?” he asked.
Edwina bit her lower lip, a sure sign that she was upset. “You are right. Once my uncle finds out about ouralmostkiss, he will force me to marry you.”
“And that makes you sad?”
“No, what makes me sad is that you could never love me,” Edwina said. “I understand why that is, but I had wanted more out of this life.”
Miles felt his heart ache for Edwina, knowing she deserved more. “If that is the case, I rescind my offer of marriage.”
“You rescind it?”
“Yes, I take it back,” Miles said. “You don’t have to marry me unless you choose to.”
Edwina winced. “It isn’t that easy. My uncle may disown me if I don’t marry you.”
Miles stopped on the path, his boots grinding on the gravel as he turned to face her. “I just want you to be happy, Edwina. Whatever you decide, I will support your decision,” he said. “And I would never let you suffer because of my thoughtless actions.”
“I could always run away to Scotland and play golf,” Edwina said with a wistful look.
Miles eyed her curiously. “Do you play golf?”
“No, but women have been playing for two years now,” Edwina remarked. “I have read about it in the newssheets.”
A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “Your plan is flawless, my dear, but perhaps we should think of one that would keep you in England.”
Edwina’s eyes lit up. “I could be a falconer.”
“Yes, you could, but do you truly wish to train falcons?” he asked.
“I love birds.”
