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"I cannot say that I understand but it is never a pleasant thing to be the object of gossip and scrutiny,” Camilla said.
"Contentment,” Edwina said in a small voice. “Even if I cannot be happy, all I ask for is contentment. Living with my stepmother can be rather suffocating." She looked up at Camilla’s kind face. “Is it wrong to want that?”
"No, My Dear. What feels right in your heart is what you should do, Edwina. For now, my advice is to walk along the path you are on to see where it will take you. Do not think too much. You are very young and you have a long life to live,” she gave her a reassuring smile, “no matter what society says.”
“Thank you. Kitty is lucky to have you for a mother.”
“Oh, you flatter me!” Camilla laughed softly.
“I have been invited to a house party in Kent by the Duke. I would like to invite you and Kitty,” she announced.
Camilla’s eyes brightened. "You know I never say no to a party. And I am thinking you need someone there with you, do you not?"
“Tommen is attending but—” she trailed off, feeling as though she would be burdening them with her request.
Camilla guessed correctly and said, "I will be there as your unofficial guardian, My Dear."
"I would love that very much. Thank you!"
"Love what?" Kitty walked into the drawing room, her eyes large and curious.
"How was your ride with Henshaw, Darling?" Camilla asked.
"An improvement, I suppose," Kitty sighed, slumping into a chair.
Since their debut, Kitty had had better prospects than Edwina. She had turned down three offers—four if one counted the middle-aged Earl her father had wanted to match her with—while Edwina had none. Thanks to Camilla’s intervention and constant encouragement, Kitty never settled. And she was not desperate to find a husband either.
“Well, that is a shame,” Camilla said as the tea arrived.
"Now, what were you two talking about?" Kitty asked, accepting a cup from her mother.
“We are going to a house party in Kent. The Duke invited us,” Edwina said, smiling when Camilla offered her a cup.
“Truly?” Kitty’s eyes gleamed with excitement.
“Yes, and we have been invited, too,” Camilla said.
“Oh, this is exciting. House parties are much better than town events. Is his property in Dover? I should like to see the cliffs.”
“I don’t know where the Estate is in Kent, but he said he will communicate the plans.” Kitty’s excitement was contagious because Edwina found herself anticipating her stay in Kent.
* * *
"Mother will not be coming to the house party," Tommen announced without looking at her.
There was usually considerable tension at the table when Edwina dined with her family but tonight, there was only indifference. Since their father’s death, Prudence preferred to eat her meals in the comfort of her chambers, joining them only when they were entertaining guests. Tonight was no different. “Do you know why?” Edwina asked.
He shrugged. “I do not know and I do not care.”
Being ignored by her stepmother was nothing new but she wondered why she was not taking any interest in her engagement. She had always cared about what thetonthought and her indifference was bound to draw some attention.
"I took the liberty of inviting a friend of mine," he continued, “to spare us both the torture of having to tolerate each other in a carriage for hours."
“Oh, you need not worry about that. I shall be riding with Kitty and Lady Matthews."
She expected him to object, but he simply said, "Then I shall see you there. Have a pleasant journey, Sister."
This civility toward her put her on edge. He sought every opportunity to exert his authority and control her. His giving her such liberty now was suspicious. Tommen was not the sort of man that changed. No, there had to be something more.
