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“Unlike me, who managed to escape from working today.”
“You had more important things to tend to.” From the glitter in Edward’s eyes, Laura took that to mean spending time with Edward. Laura felt her cheek flush and brought her hand up to cool it. “You never need to do that.”
“Do what?”
“Cover your blushing. I think it’s absolutely divine.”
“You’re being too kind, Your Grace.” Laura had to laugh. Her blushing was always a source of embarrassment.
“I endeavour to be as kind as I possibly can, and in every opportunity I have to spend by your side.”
It was the first moment when Laura thought she might beg Edward to kiss her.
***
In the weeks that followed, Edward couldn’t be happier. Not only had he gained a lover but also a true friend. Laura would come to him in the afternoons as well as the evenings, and she’d sit in his study. They’d hold one another and kiss. Edward would talk of the future and the past, and Laura would do the same. As he sat in his study thinking of it, Edward reasoned that he couldn’t be more content. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. The only way he’d be more content would be if Laura were his wife.
The hour was drawing near to when Laura would pay her customary visit. She’d come to him with that shawl wrapped around her shoulders. It was the very same shawl that slid off her shoulders that first night that Edward kissed her. As Edward looked up at the clock, it dawned on him that Laura was a tad late. If it were anyone else, Edward wouldn’t care much. But considering that he wanted to spend every possible second with her that he could, Edward knitted his brow in frustration. Was she all right? Had something happened? Edward might have to call on Harrison to find her.
Just as he was getting up from his desk to take action, Edward watched as Laura came through the door. She looked radiant, as always, and there was a delighted smile on her lips. “What caused the delay?”
“What delay?”
“You usually come earlier.”
“Your Grace, I’m perhaps five minutes late.”
“Pardon me.” Edward neared her, realizing how sensitive he was becoming to Laura’s whereabouts and her state of well-being. He approached and felt as Laura laid her head to rest on his chest. Edward put his hands in her hair and closed his eyes in rapture. That was one of his favourite gestures on her part.
In the last few delicious weeks, Edward took things no further than Laura was comfortable with. The relationship was not consummated, nor had Edward even undressed Laura. However much he thought of that every waking moment, Edward would only go as far as comforted Laura, and she had not expressed that she was ready for that step.
She said into his chest, “I have missed you.”
“Not as much as I’ve missed you.”
“You seemed to enjoy your supper tonight.”
“Because I was watching you the whole time.”
Edward took Laura by the hand and led her to his desk. They had a favourite new position. Edward would sit in his chair, and Laura would either sit on the edge of the desk facing him or on his lap when they wished to kiss. This particular night, Laura sat on the desk.
“You’re too far away,” Edward said suggestively.
“Because I wish to talk of serious matters.” Her tone was coquettish.
“And what matters would those be?”
“You seem less agitated of late.”
“Did I seem agitated before?” Edward knitted his brow.
“I think you’re more agitated than you know. You carry the world on your shoulders.”
“Graham says the same thing.”
Laura cocked her head to the side. “You haven’t seen him much of late. Nor Anna Rutley.”
“There’s only one person I wish to see.” Edward placed his hand on her knee, and Laura did not recoil, only softening under his touch.
