When she met his gaze, he felt his cheeks flush. He looked away from her too late, realizing the rudeness of the abrupt gesture. Swallowing, he turned his gaze back to her, but he could tell by her startled expression that it was too late to take back his action.
“Good…good evening, Miss Clifford,” he murmured, trying for politeness but feeling as though he were failing miserably.
She hesitated a moment before dropping into a quick curtsy.
“Good evening, my lord,” she replied.
The air felt heavy as he watched her straighten back up.
“Edward, it is a shame you were not here today,” Emily declared, placing a hand on his shoulder. She appeared oblivious to the strain between Edward and Miss Clifford. “Lily said the most hilarious thing. Is that not right, Miss Clifford?”
The nanny slowly nodded. “Oh…yes, Mrs Radcliffe. She called a duck a water chicken. I asked her why she did not just say duck, and she declared that there were too many names for everything in the world. She wanted to simplify things.”
Typically, Edward would find such a story genuinely funny and join in the laugh wholeheartedly. This time, however, his responding laugh was forced. He was not comfortable enough to feel any sense of humour, and his mood was too sour to enjoy the cute story. He pretended, however, for Emily’s sake. He did not want to do anything that would upset his sister.
He noticed Miss Clifford watching him closely, and he briefly wondered if she was able to tell that his laugh was not entirely real. She was very observant, and he could not decide if he thought that was an admirable trait or a frustrating one. Likely a bit of both if he were being entirely honest.
“Well, shall we sit and enjoy our dinner?” Emily asked with a wide grin.
Edward nodded. “Yes.”
The three moved to sit around the table together. Miss Clifford sat at Edward’s left hand while Emily sat at his right. The two women chatted as the meal was served, and Edward sat back in his chair, silent and sullen. It was exhausting trying to put on a pleasant front, especially given what he had endured the night before.
The reason for his poor mood was, of course, Cressida. Who else could it be? He had been on his way to the club for supper with some of his friends when he had spotted her getting into her carriage, most likely to head home after some social gathering.
Instinctively, he’d ducked down an alleyway to hide before she could spot him, and then he had immediately berated himself for acting so cowardly. What kind of man was he to be so skittish around that slip of a woman? He had thought himself past the humiliation of her rejection, but his reaction to seeing her made it perfectly clear that he was not.
What a fool he was. Seeing Cressida again, though, did remind him of why he had vowed to stay away from women.
As they began to eat, Emily asked, “Now, Edward, where have you been all day? You never did say.”
Edward released a short breath, irritation spiking.
“Am I supposed to tell you wherever I go?” he growled.
Emily used to his moods, rolled her eyes. “My, my, you are quite short-tempered today. You do not have to tell me, brother, I am not your keeper. I was only trying to make conversation.”
Edward sighed and shook his head. “Yes, yes, of course. I did not mean to be… short-tempered. I am merely tired, is all.”
Emily turned her attention to Miss Clifford. “Pay him no heed. He gets like this sometimes.”
“Do not talk as though I am not here, Emily,” Edward groused.
Emily ignored him. “You see, Miss Clifford, my brother rather likes to have things just so, and when any detail of his life is out of place, he gets rather upset….”
“You are irritating me, sister,” Edward snapped. “I warn you, you will not like it if I really lose my temper.”
At last, Emily met his gaze, her own exasperation clear. “Do not threaten me, Edward. We are not children anymore. You cannot intimidate me like you used to.”
Edward clenched his hands on the table and closed his eyes as he fought to keep his temper in check. Emily knew how to push him like no other. In their years apart, he had forgotten just how grating on his nerves she could be.
Shaking his head, he released a long sigh and tried to maintain a pleasant demeanour as best he could. As Emily said, they were not children anymore. He should not let her actions get to him as they once had.
Forcing an exasperated smile, Edward said, “You are right. I apologize. Forgive me, my temper. Let us enjoy our meal in relative peace.”
Emily arched a brow and appeared sceptical but, at length, nodded.
“You are forgiven,” she said with a teasing lilt in her voice. Edward realized that he was the only one upset by their exchange. She apparently had not taken it seriously, which did not help him as he tried to reign in his temper.
