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“I have not been able to pick up a book.”
“We must amend that.”
“No, no.” Laura threw up her hands in protest. “It’s not that. I’ve made a new friend. We have adjoining rooms. We spend the better part of the evening in conversation.”
“Diana.”
Laura’s eyes widened with shock, as though she was surprised the master knew who her roommate was. “Yes, Diana.”
“She makes a good friend. I’m glad the two of you are getting on.”
All of this was good news for Edward. He had hoped that Diana and Laura would become fast friends. It pleased him that the friendship made Laura smile.
Laura said, “You seem to have plenty of friends.”
“Some of them are by choice.”
“Yes, I would imagine that not all the entertaining that you do is for your own pleasure.”
“Much of it is.” Edward pushed back his seat and got up, walking over to the window to see if the luncheon guests had arrived yet. “I enjoy meeting new people, even those I don’t like.”
“Why is that?”
“Because it gives me a chance to analyze their character. I like learning about people.”
“I do, as well. But I find it much easier to keep to myself.”
Edward turned back to Laura and found her hands neatly folded on her lap. She looked down at her hands. Yes, she was a very bashful girl, wasn’t she? But was it by choice? Edward didn’t believe that anyone should shy away from social engagement by choice.
“So you deny others the beauty of your company?”
Laura looked up in shock. Edward had to wonder if he had said too much. Laura stumbled for a moment as she struggled to respond. “I’m much more comfortable around one good friend than several acquaintances. Take, for instance, Diana. I can tell her everything and feel at ease.”
The thought came to mind that he’d like to know what Diana knew, but he pushed the thought away. Edward wouldn’t sink low enough to meddle into Laura’s affairs unless she wished to share them with him.
Seeing as his guests had not yet arrived, Edward returned to his chair. “I have few people I can speak to with ease, as well.”
“Is that true?”
“Indeed. There was a time when I could speak to the Duke of Bancroft with ease, but those days are gone.”
“Perhaps you can remedy it.”
“I’ve tried. Trust me; I’ve tried.”
“Yes, he seems like a very difficult man.”
“It’s a Pembroke quality. We’re all a tad difficult.”
“I don’t believe that at all.”
Edward felt a warmth in his chest. Was Laura implying that he was not difficult? Edward had been told on occasion that he was an affable fellow, but he was well aware of the other side of him. The darker side that didn’t want to let anyone in. The late Duke and Duchess of Bancroft had been much the same. Obstinate, prideful, determined. Edward shared all of these qualities, but he vowed as a young man that he would never treat those lower than himself in the same way they had done. It always seemed cruel to Edward as a young boy.
“So, you’ve been examining my character.”
“As you have done mine.”
Edward was impressed. Laura had some pluck in her. Yes, it seemed like the shyness was the mask that Laura wore. There was someone much different below the surface, and Edward found that remarkably appealing.
