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“I mean, I needed to get away from the guests. I was overwhelmed.” She hoped Kitty would believe that and not ask any more questions.
“Are you already having brides’ nerves?”
“Perhaps.”
"And you did not tell me?" Kitty made a disappointed face.
"I did not want to interrupt your evening. You seemed to be having a pleasant time with Viscount Henshaw. And I did not know it was brides’ nerves at the time."
"I forgive you.” She smiled. “I wish I could stay behind tomorrow morning, but he offered me a ride in his barouche." Her shoulders slumped and she sighed. Viscount Henshaw’s suit was unwelcome, yet he was clueless.
"Why do you look so glum? He is a nice man."
"He is but I am only giving him my time because you have secured a match,” she confessed.
“It does not have to be him, Kitty.”
“I might have had offers but they are not the best. You and I have been very unlucky.” She smiled at Edwina. “But I am glad your luck has changed.”
"You do not wish to be alone after I marry," Edwina observed, feeling almost as though she had betrayed her friend. They had made plans to set up house together if they both ended up spinsters. Camilla would often joke with them, too, saying that on the bright side, she would have two people to take care of her in her withering age.
Edwina was tempted to tell her about her arrangement with Rowan but reasoned it was not the right time. "I know how it must seem but believe that I truly am happy for you," Kitty added. “I think the Duke is a good man. I saw how attentive he was to you this evening.”
Edwina winced inwardly. He was attentive because he wanted her body. If he truly wanted her, he would not have proposed their arrangement.
"It is all right, Kitty. I would have felt the same,” she reassured her. "The most important thing is finding someone you care about. If you do not like him in that manner then you should look for another gentleman."
"You are right. I do not like him in that manner but I do not wish to wound his pride and sensibilities.” Her eyes were filled with guilt when she looked up at Edwina.
"Leading him to think you like him might wound his pride and sensibilities more. If you feel guilty then how am I supposed to feel after deliberately trapping an innocent gentleman?"
"Your situation is different. I would have done the same."
Edwina sighed and slumped back onto her pillows. "I am such a bad influence on you."
"Nonsense! You are the second-best thing that has ever happened to me after my mother," Kitty countered before going on to ask her if she would be joining them on tomorrow's outing.
"I think I would like to sleep in tomorrow," Edwina replied, looking forward to a solitary and comfortable breakfast in the morning when everyone was gone.
"Some of the gentlemen are going hunting I heard," Kitty added.
Good, Edwina thought pleasantly. Perhaps now she could find sleep.
Edwina found herself up earlier than she had planned. She watched the procession of carriages leaving the driveway through their bedchamber window, then allowed some time to make certain the Mansion was empty before going downstairs to break her fast in solitude. Her mood was better this morning and she slipped down the stairs, a smile on her face.
That smile faded as soon as she found a gentleman reading a paper at the breakfast table. He set it down when he heard her enter and turned.
"Rowan?"
Chapter Nine
“Yes?” he answered, rising to his feet. “Are you not happy to see me, Darling?”
Edwina was glad that it was him and not some other gentleman, especially not his cousin. But her plans to eat in solitude had been ruined. “Good morning.” She dropped into what she thought was a graceful curtsy.
"I thought you would never come down." He pulled a chair out for her beside his.
"How were you certain I was not with the shopping party?" she asked. "Should you not be out hunting with the gentlemen?"
