Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
“She does look stunning, Edmund,” Mary said.
“Yes, she does,” Edmund agreed, almost without realizing it.
His gaze drifted back to where Rose was speaking with Lydia.
She wore a lavender gown cut low at the neck, offering a glimpse of the hollow of her throat.
Long gloves reached her elbows, and a band of skin was left visible on her upper arms.
Her hair swept about her face, tamed but wild at the same time. Her shoes added to her height. She wore a sparkling brooch near her heart. It really was difficult to take his eyes off her, no matter how hard he tried.
“I must admit that I didn’t expect you to follow through with this auction. Perhaps one promenade, but four? You are a changed man,” Alfred said, chuckling. Clara was standing patiently between her parents, staring at Edmund.
“I am a man of my word, and when I make an arrangement, I stick to it.”
“Are you perhaps allowing yourself to change your mind about certain things?” Mary inquired with a playful look in her eyes.
“I know to what you are referring, cousin, and all I can say is that a gentleman does not tell.”
“What are you talking about?” Clara asked.
Mary chuckled. “Marriage, dear. We might well have another wedding to attend, and I am sure cousin Edmund will allow you to be a flower girl.”
“Oh,” Clara said, her face deepening with thought. It only took a few moments before she whisked herself away, walking with purpose.
“Did I do something to offend her?” Edmund said, and they all chuckled.
“No, she has been getting more like this recently. She follows her own instincts, and we are lucky if she deigns to reveal them to us,” Mary said with good humor.
“Well, while it has been nice speaking with you, I was hoping to steal your husband away for a moment to speak about business,” Edmund said.
“I thought you never mixed business with pleasure. Are you just breaking all the rules, Edmund?”
“Isn’t that what they’re there for?” he replied with a rakish grin. “It will not take long, but unfortunately, it’s something that can’t wait.”
“Of course. I shall go and see if I can raise a smile on Nathaniel’s face,” Mary said.
“Good luck with that. The ice sculpture will thaw quicker than he does,” Edmund said. Mary stifled her laughter and looked at Edmund as if to imply he was being pretty wicked, but she did not openly scold him.
“You should not make such disparaging remarks about him. I hoped that the two of you would become friends after all that has happened,” Alfred said.
Edmund gave him a confused look.
“But we are friends. That is why I tease him. Does he not believe we are friends?”
“Nathaniel has never made friends easily. Perhaps you could try being more complimentary. After all, there has been a big shift in him since he met Charlotte.”
“I really couldn’t tell,” Edmund said, rolling his shoulders. He placed his hand upon Alfred’s arm and led him out of the hall to a side room.
“What is this about? Has something happened?” Alfred asked, concern shrouding his face.
“No, no, nothing like that. I just wanted for us to speak alone for a moment. I want to ask you a question, Alfred. We have worked together on a number of business deals, and we have made a lot of money together. How would you feel about managing them by yourself for a time?”
“Myself? Now why would… oh,” Alfred said, understanding coming upon his face.
He broke out into a wide grin and took Edmund’s hand, shaking it firmly.
“Edmund, you sly dog, you are really doing it, aren’t you?
You want to take some time for yourself to enjoy married life.
Why, of course! Nothing would make me happier.
This is really wonderful, you know, and you have no idea how happy this is going to make Mary and everyone else. ”
“I am afraid you’ve misunderstood, Alfred,” Edmund replied, lowering his voice and glancing toward the door, making sure that nobody overheard him. He released Alfred’s grip, and the smile faded from Alfred’s eyes.
“What I am saying to you now is to remain confidential. Not even Mary must know, and I know I am asking a lot for you to keep something from your wife, but it is of the utmost importance. I plan to go away for an indefinite period of time.”
“On a honeymoon?” Alfred asked with false hope.
“No, Alfred, not on a honeymoon. I was tasked with taking care of my sisters, but Charlotte is married, and it will not be long before Lydia is as well. I would imagine she could find a husband by the end of the year. As soon as that happens, I plan to leave on an adventure, an adventure I have delayed for a decade. While I am gone, I would like to know that my interests are in good hands.”
“But… but you can’t leave. What about the family?”
“Alfred. I have made up my mind. I have been thinking about this for a long time now, and it is finally almost within reach. Can you promise me that you will handle these matters in my absence?”
Alfred had a shocked look on his face and took a moment to compose himself. When he spoke, his voice was grave, as though Edmund had just told him that somebody had died.
“Well, of course, Edmund, if this is what you really want. But what about Lady Rose? I thought you were getting on famously.”
“My heart has always belonged to adventure, Alfred. I can deny it no longer. No, let us return to the party, and remember, this stays between us,” Edmund said. He felt like a rotter for asking Alfred to keep this from Mary, but as he began putting the plan in place, he felt a resolve in his heart.
They left the room. Alfred still looked a little stunned. He returned to Mary, while Edmund looked across the room, his gaze falling to Rose again. She was deep in discussion with little Clara, and for a moment, he could almost imagine what it would be like if she were his wife.
She was already friends with Lydia and on good terms with Charlotte.
In many ways, she was the epitome of what a duchess should be.
Perhaps things might be different if his parents hadn’t died.
If he had been allowed to indulge his sense of adventure, he might have returned to London a satisfied man, ready to settle down, but it was quite impossible now.
Even if he did get married, he would only be restless and unsettled, and would likely resent his wife for keeping him shackled to London. Nobody deserved to have anyone feel that way about them.
It is a blessing that Rose does not wish to be married, he reminded himself.
As he made his way through the crowd, he heard whispers regarding the auction, although one man gave voice to his thoughts.
Leopold Johnson, a garrulous man whose clothes always seemed to be bursting at the seams, made great use of his bulk and left his mark on the world. He had a pipe in one hand.
“Smoking is supposed to come later, Leo,” Edmund said.
Leopold laughed heartily and slapped Edmund on the back, hard enough to drive the air from Edmund’s lungs. Edmund cleared his throat.
“I am always prepared, you know that. Now then, we must talk about this auction. Since things have worked out so well for you, I wondered if you might organize one, and maybe you could ask around to get families to offer up their daughters. There are plenty of exquisite flowers worth a pretty penny.”
Leopold pulled Edmund close and lowered his voice.
“I am not entirely sure I am in a position to do that.”
“Oh, nonsense, you know everyone! And between you and me, you might put Lady Lydia up for auction. She has blossomed most beautifully over the last year, and I would be happy to part with a small fortune for the opportunity to court her,” he said.
There was a hungry look in his eyes that made fury simmer beneath Edmund’s flesh. His hands twitched. The thought of him getting his lecherous hands on Lydia was too much to bear.
“I shall think on the matter, but whatever happens, Lydia would not be involved.”
Leo’s eyebrows lowered to a scowl. “Good enough for the one you’re courting, but not your sister. I see, Edmund, I see. Or perhaps it’s me who isn’t good enough? I always thought we were friends. Is it the worst thing in the world to offer me a little favor?”
“If you are referring to Lydia, then you are asking for more than a little favor.”
“But look at her, you might be her brother, but you are also a man. She is of the age where she is ripe for plucking. Going much longer without being married is a waste! I will make sure she has a fine life.”
Edmund glared at him. He grabbed Leopold’s pudgy arm, fingers sinking into flesh, and glared at him.
“You press too much, Leo. You are a friend, but the company I keep is not good enough for Lydia, and you should abandon such hopes. By all means, enjoy the party, but leave Lydia alone.”
Leopold had never been one to refuse a challenge, which was how he found himself in so many disagreeable situations. There was a glint in his eye as he wrestled his arm away from Edmund’s grip.
“I believe I shall enjoy the party. There are many people with whom I have not spoken, and I suppose if my path should happen to cross with Lady Lydia’s, it would be rude of me to ignore her.”
“Do not test me, Leo.”
“I thought you were one of us. What happened to having a jolly good time in life?”
“Not at the expense of my sister. You have been warned,” Edmund said, and walked away from Leopold before a scene was created.
The encounter left him bristling with tension, and he was beginning to regret inviting Leopold at all.
He noticed people glancing in his direction, and whispers followed.
They were all expecting something from him tonight, something that would not happen.
And really, the only person he cared about enjoying herself was Rose. His gaze fell to her again, and he breathed deeply. The sight of her was enough to soothe his tension. He started to approach her, but her parents blocked him, having managed to escape his grandmother.
“We just wanted to say how wonderful this party is, and the cake is truly impressive. I am sure it will taste just as good as it looks,” Lord Bolton said.
“I certainly hope so,” Edmund replied. “I am glad you are having a fine time.”
“Indeed, and we always wanted to apologize for Rose’s conduct. She does not usually flout the rules like that. I hope it was not too inconvenient for you to spend time without a chaperone,” her father said.
“It was a misunderstanding, a simple matter on which we do not need to dwell,” Edmund replied.
“You are gracious,” Lord and Lady Bolton both bowed their heads. Then, the Countess lowered her voice to a whisper.
“And if you wish to ask Rose anything tonight, absolutely anything, you have our blessing, and we’re sure she will give you the answer you desire. It may not be my place to say this, but you have charmed her, Your Grace. She has quickly become fond of you,” she said.
“The feeling is mutual,” Edmund said, inclining his head before excusing himself. He adjusted his collar, feeling warmer than usual. Had Rose said something to her parents that she hadn’t shared with him? Had he been too charming for his own good? He’d warned her about developing feelings for him.
This was all becoming far too complicated for his liking.
He might need to bring a stop to it sooner rather than later.