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Chapter 20
When Edward looked up, he saw the first person he wanted to see, and the last. All throughout supper, all that he could think of was Laura. While Anna chatted away as she was wont to do, Edward’s mind would escape him, and he’d be transported to that very morning when he and Laura went for a stroll. How was it that Anna managed to hijack the entire day? Because that was what she accomplished. Then to insist that she, her chaperone, and Leonard stay the night.
“Laura.”
“Your Grace.” She entered and placed the brandy tray on the usual table. Edward tried to look away this time, thinking that being alone with Laura would be far too much to bear. After she set the tray down, Laura started to leave, and Edward would not have it so.
“Please, wait.”
Laura turned back around to face Edward. There was confusion written on her face. “Yes?”
“Stay for a while.”
“All right.”
Edward tried to get comfortable in his chair. The reason Laura might be the very last person he wanted to see was due to his increasing desire for her. He had to admit that several times during the day, un-pure thoughts came to mind. Thoughts that Edward had not had since his playboy days. He wanted to kick himself every time these thoughts arose because he had a deep and profound respect for Laura. More than she even knew.
Seeing those thoughts arise once more, Edward thought it best to change the subject. “Did you finish the play?”
Laura took it out of her pocket. “I did.” She looked down at the book and smiled. “Such beautiful poetry. Such magic.”
“There is something magical about the sea, is there not? I always said to myself, had I no property or duty, I’d purchase a boat and sail away.”
“It’s so frightfully dangerous, though.”
“That’s true. But a man gets used to it. The sea is where you can have the clearest conversation with God. There’s no one but you and He.”
“I would imagine that to be true. All that expansive space. All the weather events!”
Edward thought Laura’s statement remarkably charming. “So much that one doesn’t have control over. I think that’s the appeal. Here, everything is ordered.” Edward got up from his seat and walked towards the brandy, pouring himself a glass. “Day in and day out, there’s my duty. My routines. I’m protected from everything. But on the sea, you taste what it’s like to be truly alive.”
Edward didn’t know why he was carrying on so. He was by no means trying to impress Laura or give her a more robust opinion of him. In fact, he’d never admitted to anyone these desires in all his life. They weren’t the only desires that he wished to admit to.
“I understand everything that you’re saying. There’s something romantic about the notion of it.”
“Romantic?” Edward asked.
“I suppose that I see everything as romantic.”
Edward carried the small glass of brandy over to Laura, who looked up at him in shock. “Take it.”
“Oh, I mustn’t.”
“Try.” Edward smiled.
Laura took the glass from his hand and had one dainty sip. Edward delighted in the notion that perhaps Laura enjoyed that sip. That it gave her pleasure. He wished to taste the brandy upon her lips. Edward returned to the table and poured his own glass, then returned to his seat. “There’s nothing wrong with seeing things as romantic.”
“Oh, I’m not so sure.” Laura put the glass down beside her. “I fear that I read too many romantic novels. Romantic plays. I put all of these notions into my head, then I’m surprised when life is far different than it is in those novels.”
Seeing her radiance and enthusiasm, Edward considered how much he wished he could give Laura what was inside those novels. Of course, he couldn’t possibly say that aloud. “Still, I think there’s nothing wrong with putting those notions into your head. Life should be pleasurable, after all.”
“It seems odd to hear you say that.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re so dutiful. Organized. A leader.”
“You don’t think that I like to indulge in pleasure?”
