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Edwina had heard about Lady Stenton and how she had been widowed some years ago. She acknowledged her with a small curtsy. “Nice to make your acquaintance, My Lady.”
"Congratulations on your accomplishment, my dear," Nora said. "Perhaps you might be able to keep him longer. It is easy for him to slip away."
"You will watch your words, Nora," he warned. He was defending Edwina but she did not like his use of her Christian name.
"The truth always stings, does it not?" She laughed softly. "I have been wondering when we would finally meet after my late arrival last night,” she said to Edwina, giving her a suggestive look. “Pity it had to be like this. I shall leave you now. It appears I won't be getting that book tonight."
She had no right to speak to Edwina like that. She was a Duke’s mistress. It was unfortunate that she could do as she pleased because she had once been married.
She sauntered out of the room and Albert turned to her. Before he could say anything, Edwina blurted, "I need to sleep."
“You are not going anywhere.” He took her arm.
Chapter Eleven
“Why not?” she asked, freeing her arm and putting some distance between them.
“We have to talk about what happened, Edwina.”
Her eyes flashed with defiance. “No, we do not have to talk about it. It should never have happened. Good night, Your Grace.”
She brushed past him and walked out of the library. Albert could find no reason for his actions. Everything he had done since meeting Edwina had been guided by impulse. A very selfish impulse. She was right. Such things should not be happening between them and the sooner he reined in his desire, the better for everyone. He watched her leave the room, then left to find himself something to drink.
The following afternoon, once he was able to get some free time, he sought out his cousin. He found him in one of the gazebos in the garden enjoying a game of cards with some ladies. He needed to confront him about inviting Nora. "Such a cheat, Steven!" a red-haired young lady giggled.
"Why, that is positively one of his charms, Matilda," another lady said.
Albert acknowledged the ladies with only a nod before turning stern eyes on Steven. On seeing his demeanor, the women immediately excused themselves, murmuring among each other.
"Which governess shirked her duties of teaching the heir manners?" Steven remarked from where he stood.
"I am not here for your infantile jokes, Steven," Albert said.
"It is not a joke but rather an interesting observation." Steven appeared to be in a good mood this afternoon. His insouciance sometimes irked Albert but today, he was especially irritated by it.
"How about Nora for an observation, then?" he asked.
"Ah, dear Nora," Steven took to collecting the scattered cards. "What about her, Al?"
"You know damn well what I am talking about."
"You forgot to invite her to your house party, so I did. You're welcome."
"She should not be here." His hands clenched at his sides. His ire was rising for some reason and he did not wish to have a fight with his cousin. He had asked him to invite whomever he wished but no one that might cause trouble during the house party. Stevenknewthat Nora would cause trouble.
Roxanne might, as well, but her invitation had not been in his control. "Since when?" Steven quirked a lazy brow.
"Oh, I don't know.” He injected some irony into his voice. “Perhaps since I got engaged. I told you not to bring trouble here."
"Come now, Albert," Steven finally showed something besides his breezy indifference. “She is a Dowager Countess and would hardly give you any grief.” Then his eyes narrowed and he lowered his voice. “Do you need me to remind you that your situation is temporary?"
"It does not mean that I should not give my betrothed the respect she deserves in that while."
"Nora will be the one warming your bed after this,” he waved his hand dismissively, “betrothal andnotEdwina. I doubt she would appreciate being excluded from your events."
Albert ground his teeth. "Did she tell you that?"
"She does not have to. It is common chivalry," Steven replied before asking, "Therewillbe an after in this engagement, right? The sort where she goes her way and you go yours?"
