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When he was shown in, Charles was still in his morning robes. “Out and early today, are we?”
“I spoke to Jane about you,” he said.
“And?” Charles asked. Edward noticed his cousin held his breath. It mattered to him what she thought of him.
“She’s willing,” Edward said. “But it might take her some time to come around.”
“I will wait,” Charles said.
“You wanted to meet Ariadne. I want you to come with me,” he said.
Both of Charles’ brows shot up. “You’re planning something?”
Edward took out the ring box from his pocket and heard his cousin swear. “I want to make her my wife.”
“Moving too quickly now, are we?” Charles said, looking thoughtful.
“My father is planning something. I saw him with her landlady and another mysterious man yesterday. This is the only way I can protect her.”
“Wouldn’t it be wise to inform her of his nefarious plans first?” Charles said. Edward shook his head. “That will only push her away from me.”
“Give me a few minutes to get dressed and we shall leave together,” Charles said. Edward grinned at his cousin. He trusted him to go along with his plans, even if they seemed foolhardy at times. Charles called his own carriage and the two friends set out toward Ariadne’s home. Edward knew his cousin held Liberal views but as they passed into poorer boroughs, he saw a visible shift in his face. Charles frowned deeply.
“Do you have anything to say?” Edward prompted.
“It is far worse than I had imagined,” Charles said, shaking his head. Finally, they came upon Ariadne’s address and swiftly alighted from the carriage. It had rained the previous night and the narrow streets sloshed with more mud than usual.
Edward rapped on Ariadne’s door three times. Just when he thought nobody was inside, it was thrown open and she stood on the other side. Edward’s mouth curved up to a smile when he saw her, but she didn’t look too pleased to see him. “What are you doing here?” she demanded, her eyes narrowed.
Edward’s smile turned upside down. She seemed almost angry. “What is the matter?” the older woman Emma came up behind her and when she saw him, she gasped. “Close the door,” she instructed. To his utter surprise, Ariadne listened to her and began to shut the door on his face. But Edward was faster. He first jammed his boot into the narrow space and then, with his broad shoulder, managed to push the door open again. Ariadne, despite struggling, wasn’t able to hold up against him, and finally, she had to step aside as he barged into their flat.
“What is the matter with you?” Edward demanded. “You’re behaving rather strangely.”
“Are you out of your mind?” Ariadne said. “What do you want from us? You’ve already done all the damage you can.”
Edward frowned. “What are you talking about?” Nothing about this was making any sense to him. She was melting in his arms yesterday and today she seemed to loathe the sight of him.
Ariadne shook her head and put a hand to her forehead. “Just leave.”
Just then Charles entered the flat. Edward winced. He didn’t want his cousin to be a part of this squabble. “What’s wrong, Edward?”
“Have you brought him to throw us out of our home?” Emma asked clutching Leda to herself. “Give us a few more days and I swear we will take ourselves elsewhere.”
What in ten hells is going on here?
He couldn’t make heads nor tails out of it, but he only had an inkling that something bad had happened in his absence. All three of them seemed to hate him. Even Leda turned her face away from him. “Charles is my cousin. I brought him here to meet you, Ariadne.”
“Why? So you can laugh at our misfortune together?” Ariadne said.
Edward strode up to her and grabbed her elbow so now she had no choice but to look up at him. He had enough of this. Her eyes were defiant as they met his and all Edward wanted to do was to sink into them and kiss her until she forgot her anger. “Tell me what’s going on.”
Before she could answer, Emma did. “You should ask your father about it.” His father? Edward’s frown deepened. Of course, it had something to do with him.
“Or maybe your betrothed,” Ariadne spat out. Edward froze and took a step back. She sneered at him. “Didn’t think I would find out did you, my Lord? How long did you think you could continue this charade of yours?”
Charles looked at Edward. “You didn’t tell her about Jane?”
Edward winced. “I didn’t think—”
