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Throwing back his head, Lord Whickerton laughed. “Oh, no!” A warm glow came to his face. “But my sister loves me.”
Edith smiled, feeling a warm glow spread through her. “I am glad to hear it. In fact, that was my assessment as well.”
Lord Whickerton blinked, then shook his head, a wide grin upon his face. “Perhaps I should ask you to interfere on my sister’s behalf as well.”
Edith grinned. “How do you know I’m not already doing that?” The moment his disbelieving eyes turned to her, Edith released his arm and hurried the last few steps to the door. A footman held it open, thus allowing her to enter the great hall, where her eyes immediately fell on Adele and Lord Aberley. They stood rather quietly next to one another, looking forlorn.
“Lord Aberley,” Edith addressed him with a smile. “I’m afraid I must steal away Lady Adele. After such a wonderful morning outdoors, I admit I’m rather fatigued. Are you not as well?” she added with a glance at her friend.
Adele nodded. “I’m afraid I am.” Indeed, relief shone in her eyes at Edith’s interference.
“Of course, of course,” Lord Aberley assured them quickly, understanding marking his features as well as the same kind of relief that had sparked on Adele’s face. “I shall leave you to it then.”
“My lord!” Edith called out before he could disappear. “Have you already been to the library? It is a most magnificent place! I found peaceful solitude there the other day and can, therefore, only recommend it.”
An honest smile tugged upon the corners of his mouth, and he inclined his head to her in gratitude. “Thank you, my lady. I appreciate it.” Then he turned and walked away.
“Are you truly in need of rest, dear friend?” Adele asked with a chuckle, slipping her arm through Edith’s. “I am rather surprised to hear that. Did you not alreadynapon the sleigh ride?”
Edith forced an innocent expression upon her face as they headed upstairs towards their chamber. “Oh, I do not know what you mean!”
Adele elbowed her playfully in the side. “Yes, I’ve heard that before.”
“Are you truly complaining?” Edith looked at her with raised brows.
A slow smile curled up the corners of Adele’s lips. “I did not say that, did I?”
Together, they burst out laughing. “Then, does this mean you appreciate the privacy I granted you?”
Adele nodded, and yet the expression upon her face fell. “Only it will not do any good, will it?” A heavy sigh left her lips, one full of disappointment. “I cannot marry him.”
Edith pulled to a sudden halt, staring at her friend. “Has he asked you?”
Adele shook her head. “He has not,” she admitted with regret. “However, sometimes I think…” She shook her head. “He must know of my contractual betrothal to Lord Aberley. And if he does, then why would he ever propose to me?”
Edith tugged her friend onward. “And yet the man spends all his time in your company. Why would he do that if he truly believed you lost to him?”
The smile that came to her friend’s face was answer enough. “But even if he—?” Adele began hurriedly, then broke off, her teeth sinking into a lower lip. “Oh, I do not know what to think, what to hope for.”
Edith affectionately squeezed her arm. “You know that’s not true. You know what to hope for, what you are hoping for at this very moment. Be brave and take this risk. Trust me. It’ll be worth it.”
Stepping into their chamber, her friend closed the door behind them. “Even if I did, what of my father? What would this do to him? You know, he is a proud man. He always stands by his word. Could I ever truly be happy, knowing what my choice did to him?” Closing her eyes, she shook her head. “No, there is no hope.”
Edith exhaled a slow breath, somewhat taken aback by her friend’s lack of faith. Never before had she noticed the doubts that lived in Adele’s heart. Would she truly lie down in defeat? Would she not even try to fight? To find a solution?
Well, in any case, Edith would not allow it.
That, she vowed.
Chapter Nine
A TWIST OF FATE
Jasper frowned when next he sat down to supper at the large table in the dining hall and found that Lady Adele and Mr. MacKinnear were, in fact, not seated next to one another. What had happened? Was this some sort of mistake? Or had Lady Edith given up after all?
Or…was this still part of some elaborate plan of hers?
Jasper grinned, suspecting the latter. Never would he believe that the woman ever gave up. No, this had to be part of her plan. His gaze drifted across the table to where she sat next to her friend, the two women chatting animatedly. Mr. MacKinnear, however, had been seated at the far end. While it kept him from speaking to Lady Adele, it did not keep him from stealing glances at her again and again.
