He took a steadying breath, his gaze never leaving hers. “I’m saying that no matter what happens—no matter where thisleads—it’s been worth it. Being with you, caring for you, has been worth everything.”
Her lips trembled, and her voice cracked as she said, “It sounds like you’re saying goodbye.”
The words struck him, and he reached for her hand, holding it gently as though she might pull away at any moment. “I’m not leaving, Elsbeth. Not until I know you’re safe. No matter how long that takes, I’ll stay.”
“But youwillleave,” she said, slipping her hand out of his grasp. Her tone was soft, but the pain in her voice cut through him.
He frowned. “I have responsibilities at my estate and the House of Lords in London. I never planned on staying here.” He hesitated, his voice lowering. “I also never planned on meeting you.”
She pressed her lips together. “I understand.”
“Do you?” he asked gently, his voice tinged with regret. “Because I don’t think I understand myself. Elsbeth, I care for you more than I should. More than I ever thought possible. You have made me a better man simply because you came into my life.”
Her gaze dropped to the ground. “You are kind, Niles.”
Niles reached out, his fingers brushing against her chin. Slowly, he tilted her face upward, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Your eyes,” he murmured. “They are like windows to your soul, and I can’t stop looking into them. Do you know why? Because what I see there is so very beautiful.”
Lord Bedford’s voice rang out from behind them, tinged with unmistakable amusement. “Oh, please say I’m interrupting something.”
Niles let out an exasperated sigh, dropping his hand from Elsbeth’s chin and taking a deliberate step back. “What do you want, Bedford?” he grumbled, turning to face him.
Bedford’s lips curved into a self-satisfied smirk. “My auntrequested that I ensure the two of you were properly chaperoned. She seemed rather concerned.”
“Wonderful,” Niles muttered under his breath.
Completely unbothered by Niles’s tone, Bedford turned his attention to Elsbeth. “Your mother asked me to inform you that she is going to the village with Alfred this morning. She’s also requested that you spend your time practicing your pianoforte piece for the soiree.”
Elsbeth looked bothered. “Did she say why she’s going to the village with Alfred?”
“She didn’t, and I didn’t ask,” Bedford replied with a shrug, as though the matter held no significance.
Elsbeth shifted her gaze to Niles, determination lighting up her eyes. “We should follow them. Find out what they’re up to.”
“For what purpose?” Bedford asked, raising a skeptical brow. “They’re probably shopping for ribbons at the haberdashery.”
“And what if they’re not?” Elsbeth countered.
Niles didn’t like where this conversation was headed, and he didn’t like the implication behind her words. “Do you really believe your mother could be involved in Alfred’s secrets?”
“Yes… no… maybe? It would explain why she’s dismissed my concerns so quickly. Why she always defends him,” Elsbeth stated.
Bedford winced, visibly uncomfortable with the idea. “I don’t think Aunt Isabella is capable of such deceit.”
“I don’t want to believe it either, but why else would she insist on accompanying him to the village today?” Elsbeth asked.
Niles saw the uncertainty and pain in Elsbeth’s eyes. He stepped closer to her again, his voice laced with concern. “Elsbeth, are you certain this is a path you want to go down? Investigating your mother could open wounds you might not be ready to face.”
Her eyes darted between Niles and Bedford before she squared her shoulders. “If there’s even a chance she’s involved, I need to know. For her sake and mine. I can’t keep living with unanswered questions.”
Bedford groaned as he rubbed his temples. “This is madness. I still think you’re reading too much into this, Elsbeth.”
“Perhaps I am, but is it not worth pursuing?” Elsbeth asked. “I was right about my stepfather keeping secrets.”
“But this is not something you want to be right about,” Bedford countered.
Niles saw the determination in Elsbeth’s stance and knew she was not going to back down—not easily, and perhaps not at all. “I think we should travel to the village.”
Bedford’s head snapped towards him, his disbelief written clearly on his face. “Why are you encouraging this nonsense?”
