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Chapter Nineteen
Leda gasped when she saw them together and while they weren’t kissing, they were standing scandalously close to each other. If she had been a few seconds later—
Ariadne and Edward sprang away from each other, looking in different directions and trying to act nonchalant. Ariadne’s own heart was threatening to burst out of her chest. When Edward had stepped close to her, as close as the day he had kissed her, she had almost thought—hoped he would do it again. She would be lying if she said that she didn’t think of the kiss often. It came to her in moments of quiet, and then she was transported to the precise moment his lips had touched hers.
Leda walked into the studio, her eyes moving curiously between Ariadne and Edward. “Am I intruding?”
“Of course not,” Ariadne said hastily. She saw the way Leda was looking at them now as if she didn’t believe them. She wondered what her sister thought when she saw them standing together like that. She cringed internally. She didn’t want her sister to think that there was something between Edward and her.
“My Lord,” Leda said to Edward. “I had no idea you were here.”
Edward scratched his nose. “I wanted to thank your sister personally. I realized I didn’t get the opportunity last time at my hasty departure.”
“Yes, of course.” Leda smiled at him. “I’m glad you’re doing much better than before. You look to be in much better health too.”
“I have you to thank as well. You kept me engrossed and entertained when I was at my low,” Edward said.
Leda was pleased with his answer and beamed at him. Ariadne rolled her eyes. Edward was charming, she would admit that. He knew exactly what to say and when to say it. Maybe it was an innate quality or maybe it came with the experience of being a politician.
“I was disappointed when you left abruptly,” Leda admitted. “You were a welcome change in our household. And please convey our regards to your father as well. The duke’s generosity has helped us immensely in the last few weeks and kept us afloat even though we’re going through some difficulty.”
“Ariadne told me all about that,” Edward said. “I would like to assist you in any manner you see fit.”
“Thank you, my Lord. That is very generous of you,” Leda said with a grateful smile. Edward took out his pocket watch. “I’m running late for a meeting. I’ll see you later, Ariadne. Have a good day.”
“Goodbye, Edward,” Ariadne said. She almost raised her hand to say goodbye to him but then thought it would be rather silly to do that.
“What was that?” Leda asked coming to stand next to her. When Ariadne looked confused, Leda explained. “You’re using his Christian name now? Since when are you on such good terms?”
“He told me to,” Ariadne stammered, but realized how the situation would appear to Leda.
“Is there something going on between you two?” Leda asked, narrowing her eyes at her sister.
“Are you out of your mind? He’s a future duke,” Ariadne said.And I’m a nobody, she thought to herself. Her attraction toward him was palpable. It had been from the moment she brought him home and helped him heal and she was fairly certain he felt the same. And while she had tried to banish it from her mind when he had left, those feelings were resurfacing. She was walking on thin ice here. “There’s nothing between us.”
“It sounds as if you’re trying to convince yourself rather than me,” Leda observed.
Ariadne turned away from her sister and started cleaning her work table. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Whatever is there between you two, just be careful, dear Sister,” Leda said. “You’ve always taught me to be wary of rich men. Please exercise the same caution.”
“I will,” Ariadne vowed. She wasn’t the kind of a person who could be easily fooled and Edward seemed sincere in his efforts.
“Forget all of that. I’m looking forward to Thursday,” Leda said.
Ariadne frowned. “What’s on Thursday?”
“Did you forget already? We’re supposed to be working in the kitchen for Lord Brexley’s charity ball.”
“I haven’t agreed to it yet,” Ariadne reminded her. “Besides, I’m the one who was offered the job, not you.”
“Lord Brexley asked me too. Well, I insisted and he said I could accompany you. Ariadne, please, I’ve never been to Grosvenor Square before. I want to see how they live there.”
“There’s nothing to see. Just rich people who live decadent lives with their excessive wealth.”
Leda pouted. “Lord Brexley shall be cross with us. He has helped us so and he expects you to be there. We should go.”
“Fine,” Ariadne said, knowing her sister would never stop bringing the subject up until she acquiesced to her wishes. “I’ll go. You may come with me but you have to stay with me the entire night.”
