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Chapter 13
The morning air was crisp and cool on Edward’s face. It had been some time since he’d gone out for an early ride on his horse, Luther. It was his best friend, Graham Blackmore, that had convinced him to go for the morning ride. Edward turned to watch Graham galloping on his own horse at a heady clip.
“Seize the day!” Graham called out, enjoying the cool dew on his face as he sped through the field.
“One day, you’re going to break your neck, old chap.”
Graham laughed aloud. “I’m not afraid to die. I’m afraid I’ll never live.”
“The way you live, there’s no chance of that.”
“Now we must get you to live the same.”
The two men slowed down their horses to engage in conversation. Both were out of breath, as Edward considered Graham’s words. He was certainly not as cavalier about life as his friend was. They were both brothers to dukes, but where Edward’s brother was careless, Graham’s brother was serious and responsible about his own affairs. That lent itself to the carefree attitude that Graham always had.
“Graham, I do wish I had your spirit.”
“Don’t get contemplative on me now.”
Edward shook his head. “I feel as though I have the world on my shoulders.”
“You’re thinking of Norman.”
“I think of him always.”
“I wish you’d spend half as much time thinking about women.” Graham grinned lasciviously.
“There was a time.”
“You were happier then.”
Edward looked to Graham and knitted his brow. “I wasn’t happier then. I was reckless. None of it brought one jot of happiness.”
“I think you lie. All I dream of is women, and I’m a perfectly happy man.”
“Except you’ve never married one.”
“Don’t remind me.”
In the silence that followed, Edward thought of his own impending marriage to who-the-devil-knows. That very afternoon, several ladies were coming over for tea, including Anna Rutley. Should Edward just seal the deal and be done with it? Part of him merely wanted to get the whole ordeal out of the way so that he could move on with his life as a married gentleman.
Edward asked, “Are you serious at all about marriage?”
“Yes, several times a day. And with several different women.”
Edward couldn’t help laughing. “How about this. Select one for me. Your choice. I’ll marry her.”
Graham pulled the reigns on his horse and halted. Edward did the same in response. Graham gave Edward a good, hard look. “Do you jest?”
“Partially.”
“Because I can do it.”
“It would put my mind at ease. I’m determined to be married by the end of this year.”
“Then you need to act quickly.”
“What if I married a commoner?” Edward was shocked by his own question. The words flew out of his mouth before he had time to question them.
