Chapter 5 #2
“I had nothing to do with Lady Edwina’s disappearance,” Edward said, apparently choosing to ignore Adrian’s shocked response.
Adrian shook his head. He needed a minute to gather his thoughts and regain focus, yet all he could think to say was, “How the hell did you… I mean… After everything you have discovered, you’re making Miss Roberts your wife?”
“Exactly.” He offered no explanation before adding, “I’ve not seen Lady Edwina since the Moorlands hosted their ball in March.”
Still reeling from Edward’s revelation, it took Adrian a second to switch subjects.
“Didn’t think you had,” he finally managed, “but the man with whom she left Hyde Park the day before last matches your description. More damning, he gave this calling card to a pickpocket from whom he asked a favor.”
Adrian handed the card to Edward, who studied it briefly. “As you already know, this is entirely different from the ones I’ve had printed.”
“So then this particular card cannot have come from an earlier sample?” When Edward shook his head, Adrian said, “The man masquerading as you persuaded a pickpocket to snatch Lady Edwina's reticule, which he then pretended to track down and return to her. Most likely to gain her trust.”
“Did anyone see her leave with him?”
“No. I was hoping the calling card would offer a clue as to who the man might have been. A clerk at the printer’s or a former servant of yours, perhaps. Based on what you’ve said though, it seems neither is the case.”
“It doesn’t change the fact that someone has stolen my identity.” Deep grooves appeared on Edward’s brow. “If this person opened a line of credit in my name, the shop owners will send collectors who might have more information to add.”
“Unlikely, but even if it weren’t, that could take weeks.
” Adrian prepared to leave. With the calling card verified as a false lead, he had to figure out what to do next.
“Considering all the horrors we’ve witnessed this past year alone, I dread every hour that’s wasted on searching for Wrengate’s sister. ”
“I hope you find her soon.” Despite his frosty expression, Edwards words were softer — kinder – as he said, “If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know.”
“Thank you.” Adrian hesitated briefly before asking. “What time are you saying your vows tomorrow?”
“Ten o’clock.”
“At Saint George’s?” A nod prompted Adrian to say, “I shall see you then.”
“You mean to attend?”
“Of course. Unless you specifically ask me not to.” When Edward seemed to consider, Adrian pushed out a breath and told him, “I realize you and I are at odds with each other right now. You’re angry and disappointed in me, and to be fair, I’d probably feel the same if I were in your position.
But that doesn’t change the fact that you are like a brother to me.
Tomorrow will be one of the most important days of your life, so if you’ll permit, I’d like to be there. ”
“Very well.”
Though Edward did not sound the least bit enthusiastic, Adrian chose to consider his agreement a start to what would probably prove to be a long road toward full forgiveness.
And since he didn’t want to jeopardize the fragile foothold he’d managed to acquire, he refrained from trying to persuade Edward to call off his nuptials.
The choice, it seemed, was already made. Besides, Adrian was certain that at his core, somewhere deep beneath the resentment and pain he was feeling right now, Edward cared for Miss Roberts.
It might therefore be of greater use to help him shed this grim persona he had embraced, as opposed to trying to stand in his way.
* * *
Edward rose early the following morning, his mood as somber as it had been for the past few weeks. Nothing had changed. His heart did not leap with joy at the prospect of speaking his vows. If anything, its every beat felt like a dull thud.
Once dressed, he ate his breakfast, then called for the carriage to be prepared.
Seeing Adrian yesterday had been a curious experience.
His friend, with whom he’d once felt so close, now felt like a stranger.
Their conversation had been awkward in Edward’s opinion, lacking the easy flow he’d enjoyed before everything went to hell between them.
He pondered this during the brief ride to Saint George’s. Perhaps what had happened had been inevitable. They were two vastly different people whose moral compasses pointed in opposite directions.
Nevertheless, he appreciated Adrian wanting to show up today.
After all, he’d been the most constant witness to Edward’s life.
And with the ceremony planned at such short notice, there hadn’t been time to arrange for his family to attend.
The letters he’d sent to Mama and his sisters, informing them of his intentions, would not reach them for another couple of days.
Sunshine spilled from a nearly cloudless sky as the carriage rounded a corner and pulled into Hanover Square, fifteen minutes before the allotted time.
Its brightness encompassed the church, surrounding it in an ethereal glow that ought to have made him delight in the anticipation of what was to come.
Instead, he felt as though he were being mocked.
Today was not the joyous day it ought to have been, but rather proof of the wound inflicted upon his soul.
Even if the wound healed, he feared an ugly scar would remain as a constant reminder that he had been taken advantage of by the people for whom he’d have risked his good name, his principles—hell, even his life.
This awareness sparked a fresh surge of anger that helped him alight from the carriage and climb the steps to the portico. The door leading into the vestibule stood slightly ajar, so Edward pulled it open and entered.
A few parishioners still lingered after the service that had recently ended, their voices hushed as they chatted while making their way to the exit.
They acknowledged Edward with nods as they passed, thankfully choosing not to engage him in conversation even though one of the men was familiar — an acquaintance from his club.
In all likelihood, the lack of a smile on Edward’s part warned the man he was not to engage. Glad to have avoided any form of exchange, Edward continued toward the altar where the vicar was in the process of tidying away the silver cups used for communion.
Edward greeted him with a polite, “Good morning, Father.”
The older man met his gaze. “Good morning, Lord Marsdale, and welcome. I trust you’re in good spirits today?”
“How can I be anything else when I’m about to wed the loveliest woman in the world?”
“Hmm…” Whether or not the vicar was convinced by Edward’s attempt at playing the eager groom, he refrained from remarking upon it.
Much like yesterday, when Edward had met with him to schedule the ceremony, the man kept all personal thoughts to himself.
Returning to his task, the vicar did, however, choose to say, “Marriage is without doubt a wonderful thing. The joining of hearts and souls in the eyes of God. A promise to love and to cherish another person for the rest of our mortal lives.”
“Indeed.” Edward swept his gaze down the length of the aisle. He would not let the vicar’s words instill any form of guilt in him. Melody would be his wife, exactly as he’d wanted and still wanted, albeit for a new and far more necessary reason.
The door opened, and Harlowe appeared. He was accompanied by three young women, one of whom Edward recognized. She’d been with Melody the same night he’d discovered she was much more than Lady Heathbrooke’s companion.
And now Adrian was arriving along with Samantha. Their attention went first to Harlowe, to whom they spoke a few words, before they continued toward Edward.
“We can begin as soon as your bride arrives,” said the vicar, who’d stepped to Edward’s side.
A reminder that Melody had yet to show up.
Edward gritted his teeth. Should she choose not to, his humiliation would truly be complete.