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He leaned back, breaking the kiss, and turned his head away to blow a breath through puffed cheeks. “Enough distractions, young lady. I need to see to your surprise. Meet me at the bottom of the stairs in one hour?”
“I will be there.”
* * *
Lady Edith had seemed embarrassed on the night of our ball when James had finally told her the truth of the nature of our relationship, and I had hoped the bit of healing we found together would lead to a more comfortable relationship between us. In the last week, however, I’d found myself sorely disappointed. I suppose it was too difficult to correct her wrong opinion of me so quickly, but I had hoped it would not be such a chore.
I dressed swiftly and had half an hour before I was meant to meet James downstairs, so I’d gone to the drawing room but pulled up short when Lady Edith appeared to be the only person already in the room.
She glanced up and found me in the doorway, and it was now too late to disappear.
Drat.
“Good morning, Felicity,” she said cordially as I made my way into the room.
I lowered myself on the sofa opposite her. “Good morning, Lady Edith. I trust you slept well?”
“I did, thank you.”
My teeth grated against the discomfort floating between us. It was stuffy and uncomfortable, the air thick with each of the emotions that had colored our recent past.
“The Whitstones have invited us to tea,” she said mildly, her focus remaining on her embroidery. “Though you have every reason to refuse, should you wish it.”
It was bound to be uncomfortable, but not attending could only make matters worse. If I wanted to prove I wasn’t yet with child, maintaining social appointments was one way to do so. Then when I did have news to share, it would be extremely clear that the timing took place after the wedding.
“I will not refuse,” I said at length.
“Miss Whitstone does become more agreeable over time.”
I nodded my understanding.
Lady Edith set her embroidery on her lap. “And I suppose the same could be said for me as well.”
“What do you mean?”
She closed her eyes and pressed her fingers to her temples as though gathering her strength. “I have not treated you as I ought to have since you’ve come to us, and after James made the nature of your engagement perfectly clear, I’ve felt at a loss for how to proceed.”
“I’ve forgiven you—”
“Yes, I realize that. But we did not begin comfortably, and I do not know how to fix the discomfort between us unless I leave Chelton.” She leveled her gaze at me. “I’ve given it some thought, and I think it best if I were to move into the dower house. You’ve seen it, perhaps? On the south lawn?”
“I haven’t.”
“It will need a bit of repair before it is livable, but I imagine it could feasibly be made ready by the end of the summer.”
She held my gaze, and my argument with James when I had desired space and he had fought to remain together came freshly to mind. Even in our discord, we chose to sleep side by side, and that choice had a healing power that separation would not have lent us. I desired the same healing with Lady Edith, and I knew it could only take place if we both made that active choice. Her willingness to move into the dower house only proved—in my mind, at least—that she was prepared to work and that she desired peace and accord for our relationship.
“I do not think that will be necessary, Lady Edith.”
She blinked at me. “No, not necessary, but perhaps it is important.”
“There is plenty of room in Chelton for both of us—”
“I am not sure there is room enough for two mistresses.”
“No, I agree with that.” I drew in a sustaining breath. It was the way of things for me as James’s wife to take my rightful place as mistress, and I did not want to secede that honor to her when it was mine to bear. “But I cannot do it alone. I need your wisdom and guidance, and I know the servants and the household will run more smoothly if you were to teach me all that you know.”
She was silent for a beat, her hands unmoving. “You wish for me to remain, and for me to teach you?”
