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Albert responded with a nod before walking around the table to her seat. Then he took her hand and placed a kiss on her knuckles, lingering a little. It was almost unnoticeable. His eyes held hers throughout. "I shall see you soon, Darling."
When he released her hand, bowed, and strode out of the room, she was left feeling flushed and bereft. Tommen took his teacup and exited the morning room without a word to her. She picked up the newspaper to distract herself from her thoughts while she finished her breakfast.
Her stomach lurched and she found she could not eat another bite. There was more uncertainty about her future today than there was yesterday and she feared she had dug a trench for herself that she might not be able to climb out of.
Her fear grew and she dropped her fork with a loud clatter.
Chapter Five
"When I asked you to take advantage of the night and have a great time, I did not ask you to go and get yourself engaged, Al!" Steven threw a punch at Albert and he parried expertly.
"It was unavoidable! I was discovered with her." Albert defended, jogging on the spot, taunting Steven to throw another punch. Sporting on a day like this was just what he needed.
He had not been able to get Edwina out of his mind… and his body, since their encounter in the library last night. He had thought his reaction resulted from the mystery of the masquerade but when he had seen her that morning and felt the same urge to draw her into his arms and kiss her until they were both out of breath, he knew it was the woman herself that affected him thusly.
“You should not have been caught in that situation in the first place.” Steven threw the punch that Albert had been waiting for and he dodged it, countering with a smooth uppercut at his solar plexus that he had not anticipated. He staggered backward and Albert grinned. “Still think you are a match for me?”
Steven shook his head. “You never grow weary of praising yourself, do you?”
“No, I don’t.” He beckoned for Steven to come at him again.
Visiting Edwina that morning was not one of his best decisions. He should have allowed some days to pass before calling upon her to give himself some time to stop aching for her. But the promise he had made needed to be kept and he liked to think he was a man of his word. Finding a solution for her soiled reputation was important.
"If things end badly, do not expect me to help you like I did last time. My life is busier now," Steven warned.
“It will not end badly,” he assured him. “I will not allow it.” When Roxanne had broken his heart, Steven helped him recover. He had been the one to make him see reason when he had been overtaken by anger and nearly pummeled her lover.
"Why are you such a pessimist, Steven?" Albert delivered a punch and Steven dodged.
"Since when did caution become pessimism?"
"You have nothing to fear. Edwina is not like Roxanne and I have no attachment to her. “
"Why does that sound ominous?" Steven’s brows rose.
"I have a plan." Albert swung at him again.
"Do share." Steven dodged again.
"We are engaged but it is only in name. When the gossip dies down, we will call it off. I have no plans of getting married and I do not believe she wants to marry me."
A scowl settled on Steven’s face. "Have you given what becomes of her after you call off the engagement any thought? Surely, you are not so fanciful as to think her life will ever be the same again. You said she is two-and-twenty. She does not have much time in the marriage market."
"I have a clever head on my shoulders, Cousin. I have thought carefully about her and decided to host a house party in Kent to find her a match. A decent gentleman is certain to attend and catch her fancy."
“A house party?" Steven echoed. “When was the last time you hosted a proper house party?”
“Eons.” Albert smiled. “I do remember how to host parties for respectable society.”
Steven shook his head and tried to swing a surprise blow. Albert expertly dodged, laughing. His reflexes had improved in the past year and Steven had noticed it, too, because he said, “Lud! I concede that I am no match for you.”
“Good. We may practice again when you have improved. I need a challenge,” he teased.
“You are incorrigible in your conceit. Why did you choose Kent?”
“I am quite fond of Hersings.”
“Yet, you seldom visit it,” Steven pointed out. Hersings was the Estate where he had been raised in Kent and he had many fond memories there. His father preferred to spend his time in London and Albert was given liberty to do as he pleased.
