Chapter 15
Chapter fifteen
Annette
Edward was not at breakfast when I went downstairs and filled a plate from the sideboard, which did not surprise me.
Now that I knew a little about the business he saw to each morning, I could not expect him.
The concern etched in his expression when he mentioned his missing friend haunted my thoughts.
Knowing it was a woman he sought intrigued me, though there was a niggle of something else as well.
Adda—that was what he’d said her name was. Who was this woman to Lieutenant Paget, and why had she been taken in the first place?
Edward had promised to explain everything today, but I still worried he would change his mind.
He owed me nothing, really. Our relationship teetered between not-so-cordial acquaintances and friends.
At present, I was not entirely sure which side we leaned toward.
After giving him a tour, I’d done my best to avoid the man.
His interest in my desire not to marry left me uncomfortable, as did the strange look I often noted in his eyes when our gazes met.
I had feared his inquisition meant something—signified an interest that was far from the friendship we’d tiptoed around. Perhaps what frightened me most was that I did not detest the idea as much as I should have.
My brows furrowed as I stared down at my plate. Surely, the lieutenant did not wish to pursue me? I had nearly convinced myself that my imagination had run wild until yesterday. Until he had looked at me with such fierce…desire? For a moment, I had thought he might attempt to kiss me.
Warmth spread through my cheeks at the notion, and I scowled. This would not do.
“I often glare at my breakfast as well.” Rus slumped into the chair next to me, and I startled. He reached across the table and poured himself a cup of hot coffee. “Oh, wait. It is not my breakfast I glare at first thing in the morning, but my horrible sister.”
His pointed look could only have implied he meant me.
“What has you in such a foul mood?” I asked.
“I could ask you the same, but in case you truly care to know, I am on number four. Four, Netty. I am quite tired of my room smelling of rot.”
I hummed, now fighting a smile. “I can imagine.”
He turned to face me more fully. “Are you going to tell me where you’ve hidden the other three or allow me to suffer?”
“That you would even ask proves you are as dim-witted as I thought.”
“I’m serious, Annette. It is completely miserable in there.
I made the mistake of opening a window, thinking to air out the room so I could sleep, and now I have an entire congregation of flies living with me.
Do you know how obnoxious a single fly can be, buzzing about one’s head at all hours of the night? ”
“I have experienced it, yes.”
“Then you can sympathize with me, considering I do not have just one fly, but at least a dozen. Have mercy on your brother, won’t you?”
I pursed my lips. “The flies were not part of my plan, but I must admit, the additional punishment is quite satisfying.”
“Netty.” He said my name through gritted teeth. “You’ve won. Is that what you wish to hear? I will say it a thousand times, but please, end this round of our battle. Bask in your victory and end my suffering. I’ve struggled to sleep as it is, what with Father…” He swallowed.
I considered him for a moment. Dark circles rimmed his eyes, and guilt permeated through me.
Rus and I had bantered like this for as long as I could remember.
We vexed each other to no end. Sometimes, we became carried away, but nothing in our exchanges was ever malicious.
I did not truly wish to make him miserable, and while he would likely never admit it, my father’s health weighed on him.
I had never considered the burden he carried as heir—not truly.
Perhaps now was not the time to engage in war with him.
“I will take care of them,” I said. “Under one condition.”
His eyes narrowed. “What condition?”
I knew Russell well enough to predict he would not accept what he considered charity. He had far too much pride for that. Framing my condition in a way that would benefit me rather than him was the only way he would agree.
“A ceasefire,” I said. “We both agree to stop until the start of the new year.”
“New year?” He reared back. “That is months away. I am not certain I can restrain myself for that long a time.”
I shot him a glare. “Would you prefer your room to stink for months instead?”
His brows puckered. “No.”
“Then you will give me your word.” I held out my hand.
Russell stared at it.
“Please, Rus. I think we are all on edge enough as it is with Father so ill. I’m certain Mother would appreciate a bit of peace between us, even temporarily. Might you not appreciate it, too? I know I could use one less thing to worry about.”
He met my gaze, and his expression softened.
“As much as I hate to agree with my horrible sister, I find I have no rebuttal to this request. A ceasefire until the new year.” When he took my hand, there was nothing business-like about it, as I’d anticipated.
He clasped my hand between both of his own, securely but gently.
“For Mother and Father’s sake, we may set aside our battles for the time being. ”
His voice broke a little, and moisture shone in his eyes.
Russell was not one to display depth of emotion.
He covered it with teasing and a carefree persona that labeled him more rake than gentleman at times.
That he would allow even the smallest bit of vulnerability in my presence touched my heart, and I wanted nothing more than to comfort him.
The moment faded quickly, however, removing the opportunity. He released my hand, and a grin spread over his face. “So, where did you hide the flowers?”
“I will take care of them after breakfast. I shan’t be revealing my hiding places. After all, the battle will resume eventually.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Merciless, Netty, but I cannot say I do not approve. It is good to know at least one of my sisters is capable.”
“You underestimate Bridget if you think she is not just as capable. Only give her time.”
“Yes, well, Bridget does not claim no desire to marry. Without a husband, it is left to me to take all of the blows. I am forever designated as the victim of your larks. Shame none of the men I sent your way in London took your fancy.”
I rolled my eyes. “As you said, I’ve no desire to marry. Why should I when I could vex you the rest of my days? You are my favorite target.”
“Am I? I had thought you may have found a new one in our honored guest.”
“I…no, he is the one who vexes me. You cannot blame me for retaliating.”
Rus’s lips twisted with his smirk. “Were you to ever marry, you would require someone capable of matching your wit and propensity for mischief. Someone who could handle it.” He shrugged. “Lieutenant Paget might change your mind about marriage yet.”
I scoffed, but more heat filled my cheeks. “I would not wager on it were I you.”
Russell laughed, and we finished our meal with lighter topics.
He left directly after to ride, and once I observed him heading for the stables, I sneaked into his room and collected the remaining three cuckoo-pints.
In my brother’s defense, his chamber did smell rather horrid, which ignited my guilt once again.
At least he had agreed to put our war to rest.
For now.
I left the house and headed for the stables after disposing of the flowers in the woodland.
Edward had agreed to meet me at the ruins, but we had not established a time.
It was possible I might have to wait hours for him, but I did not mind the prospect.
Being among the ruins brought peace to my soul.
I enjoyed the solitude of the crumbling, lichen-covered walls.
Father had requested I stop going there countless times, claiming the deteriorating structure was dangerous. He was not entirely wrong; more than once, I had noted the collapse of a wall or the buckling of stone. Time could be such a menace.
Regardless, I could not keep myself from coming. The ruins called to me as a siren called men to the sea. The ancient walls captivated my intrigue and gave me a space to ponder without the weight of society or even my family. Kenwick Castle was my home, but the ruins? They were my sanctuary.
Once I had tethered Rain, I entered the ruins, tracing the lines in the stone walls with reverent appreciation. The feel of their rough surface always seemed to ground me. It was as if the stone sapped me, albeit temporarily, of my worries.
“I was uncertain whether I would find you here so early,” a familiar voice said from behind me.
I turned, dropping my hand from the wall. Edward stood beneath an old arched entry, his dark eyes watching me intently. His hair was mussed, likely from riding, and his coat a bit rumpled. Even in a travel-worn state, he was obnoxiously handsome.
He clasped his hands behind his back. “Then again, you seem to be an early riser. It should not surprise me to find you out and about.”
He had taken note of how early I rose? Knowing he observed me so closely unsettled me, but I would not let it show. “Yes, I do tend toward rising early, but I found it especially difficult to sleep in today. I admit that I’m eager for your explanation.”
His gaze dropped, and for a moment, I feared he would refuse me the information. “Might we sit down? This may take some time to explain properly.”