“I am not insinuating that he is,” Miles said.
Bennett gestured towards the manor. “Come along,” he encouraged. “My father is in his study, and he has agreed to see us before he departs for the village.”
Miles arched an eyebrow but thought it would be prudent if he didn’t say anything.
“I know what you are going to say,” Bennett started, “but he has a meeting with his man of business.”
“What if we followed him, just to be sure?” Miles asked.
Bennett pursed his lips. “I shall agree to that but just so I can prove you wrong.”
Miles winced. “I wish I was wrong,” he said.
They both seemed to retreat to their own thoughts as they made their way back to the manor. Once they stepped inside,he watched Edwina pace back and forth in the entry hall, a frown creasing her brow.
Bennett leaned closer to him and whispered, “I would proceed with caution with Edwina. I haven’t seen her this upset in quite some time.”
Miles approached Edwina and waited until she came to a stop in front of him. He smiled, hoping to disarm her. “May I get you some chocolate, my lady?”
Edwina stared at him like he was mad. “Why?”
“I recall that Arabella would always ask for chocolate when she was upset,” Miles replied. “It seemed to help her calm down.”
Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say because Edwina placed her hand on her hip. “I am only upset because of you and Bennett. And, no, chocolate would not help this.”
Bennett moved closer to them and said, “I apologize for interrupting, but we should go speak to my father.”
Some of the anger dissipated from Edwina’s expression and it was replaced by uncertainty. A feeling that he knew all too well.
Miles offered his arm. “Remember that we are in this together. Always.”
His words had the desired effect on Edwina, and she placed her hand on his arm. “Thank you,” she murmured.
As they walked towards Lord Dallington’s study, Miles glanced over at Edwina and knew that she was nervous. But she could do this. He had never met a braver soul than her. He knew in his heart that he would do whatever it took to make her his own.
Edwina was utterly nervous. She had no idea how this meeting would go with her uncle, but one thing was forcertain, she was grateful to have Miles by her side. He gave her the strength to continue on, despite knowing how difficult this conversation would be for her.
She quickly glanced at Miles and admired his handsome face. How she was growing to love this man, but it didn’t matter. He would never reciprocate her feelings. Although, he had admitted that he cared for her. But that wasn’t enough. She wanted more.
As they arrived at the study, Miles leaned in and whispered, “You can do this.”
“Wecan do this,” she corrected.
Miles smiled and she knew that everything would be all right. “We can do anything together,” he said.
“Except whistle,” Edwina quipped. “Only one of us can do that.”
He chuckled. “You are right.”
They followed Bennett into the study and Edwina saw her uncle was hunched over his large desk. Papers were neatly formed into piles and a ledger sat in front of him.
Bennett’s voice broke through the silence. “Father, do you have a moment to talk?”
Her uncle closed the ledger in front of him and leaned back in his seat, a satisfied smile on his lips. “I have been expecting this,” he said.
“You have?” Bennett asked, the confusion evident on his features.
“Yes, and it is about time,” her uncle declared. “I must say that I couldn’t be more pleased. It is not every day that one’s niece marries an earl.”
