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“We shall see.”
"Good! Now, we shall proceed with our engagement. I would be lying if I told you that I know where this is going to end but we need to give society some time to forget about us."
Edwina predicted this and her stomach turned. "And after that?" she asked.
"We break off the engagement. It is simple. You will have had enough time to find someone else.”
It was not simple. He was her last hope and he had no intention of marrying her. She did not wish to be a Duchess but she wished to be married. It was either marriage or Cornwall. She was bitterly disappointed but because she still had some pride left she did not allow it to show. Perhaps she could find another gentleman before their false engagement was over. It was better not to think of her fate right now.
“Edwina?”
She blinked several times in an attempt to compose herself before raising her eyes to his, praying her emotions were not visible. "I accept your proposal.”
“Excellent. We have ourselves an agreement.” He nodded. "I shall be hosting a house party at my Estate in Kent. I would like to invite you and you may bring whoever you wish."
“I think I am obligated to attend since I am your fiancée now. How long will it be?”
“A fortnight or longer. I have not decided.”
A fortnight free of Tommen and Prudence? She would be mad to not accept such an offer.
Tommen chose that moment to walk into the room, looking bleary-eyed and in his robes as usual. That particular green robe was fast becoming his breakfast uniform. He did not notice Albert at first and when he did, he was taken aback. “I did not realize we allowed visitors to eat breakfast with us,” he said.
“We do now,” she replied, wondering why he was up early. He still did not seem to know that Albert was a Duke. She decided to change that before he would disrespect him as he was wont to do with people he perceived beneath him. “Allow me to introduce the Duke of Rowan.” She turned to Albert. “And this is my brother, Viscount Mercer.”
Tommen’s mouth opened and he stared dumbly at Albert, his face growing pinker by the minute. “A pleasure to meet you, Mercer,” Albert said.
“I—” Tommen’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. Then he began to profusely apologize.
Albert raised a hand. “Think nothing of it.”
Edwina noticed the tension in his shoulders. He likely disliked Tommen. No proper gentleman would like a man such as him. Tommen sat down and gestured for a footman to serve him. “This is a wonderful surprise, Your Grace. I hope the food is to your liking.”
She rolled her eyes. Tommen was an entirely different person from the boy who had disregarded Albert last night. "It is food," Albert replied curtly, "I hardly discriminate."
"It is not often that I mistake the identities of peers, Your Grace," Tommen continued, sipping his tea. "Everything happened so quickly and I did not take a good look at your face. And this morning, I was just waking up."
"That is not an excuse,” Albert said. “Edwina deserves to be treated with respect and kindness,” he added, surprising her. She had not expected him to defend her. He gave Tommen a look, as though he was expecting him to apologize to her.
Tommen shot her a glance that was equal parts nervous and peeved. He had far too much pride for his own good. He disliked being younger than her and now being made to apologize to her must feel like humiliation.
"I… I suppose I—," he stuttered. His hands were fists on the table and he breathed deeply. "Edwina." He looked as though he was being tortured. "I am—"
"I am not in the habit of forcing people to do things, you see," Albert interrupted him, speaking in a light tone. "Your sister deserves more than your half-hearted apology—"
A soft smile touched her features and she appreciated Albert for thinking she deserved more than what she was being given. Tommen glared at her, as if that would change what had just happened.
Albert leaned close to her a little. “I hope I am not being excessive. When I see someone being disrespected, I feel the need to interfere… sometimes.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” was all she could respond with because she was not quite herself. She wished the situation was a different one and she wished the disappointment in her chest was not so constricting.
When Albert cleared his plate and emptied his mug, he stood. "I shall be hosting a house party in Kent. You may attend on the condition that you behave yourself,” he addressed Tommen. "My Mansion is open to all merrymakers."
She wished he had not invited him and hoped Tommen would decline the invitation. “Is Edwina invited?” he asked.
“She is my fiancée. Of course, she is invited.”
“Then it will be an honor to act as your chaperone, Your Grace.”
