Turning her attention back to Miss Clifford, Emily said, “Do you feel you are adjusting well to our home, Miss Clifford?”
Eyes widening slightly as though in surprise, Miss Clifford replied, “Oh, yes, Mrs Radcliffe. I feel very comfortable here already. Lily makes it easy to relax one’s guard, and the rest of the staff have been very welcoming.”
Edward was not certain why her answer bothered him, but when he thought of their time together in the library, he felt somewhat disappointed that she had not mentioned him as one of the reasons she was feeling so comfortable.
He silently scolded himself. He should not feel so strongly about this…about her.
Miss Clifford was not the woman he had initially thought her to be. She was not a loudmouth shrew who took pleasure in emasculating any unfortunate gentleman she came across. She was a kind, gentle soul – though she had a fiery side that he found fascinating despite himself.
“I am glad to hear that,” Emily said with a nod. “If there is anything we can do to help you feel more comfortable, do not hesitate to let us know.”
“Thank you,” Miss Clifford said with a smile. “I will most definitely let you know should anything come up.”
Edward kept silent and watched his sister and Miss Clifford as they continued to talk to each other. They seemed content to leave him out of the conversation, and he had no objections. The less he spoke, the less chance he had of causing any kind of offence to either lady.
However, it seemed he could not avoid interacting with them for long.
At length, Miss Clifford turned to him and said, “The fort remains up in the library, my lord. Lily was insistent that it not be taken down until you returned home.”
“You should not let a child dictate the state of the house,” Edward snapped before he could stop himself. The words just slipped out of his mouth as if they had a life of their own. An instinctive reaction, really, and not one that was meant for her specifically.
Of course, she would not know that, and her stricken expression was evidence enough that he had hurt her feelings.
“Edward,” Emily hissed, her eyes wide with shock. “You should not speak to Miss Clifford in such a manner.”
“No, no, it is…it is all right, Mrs Radcliffe,” Miss Clifford murmured. “Lord Harford is right. I should not let Lily make such demands. It is important that children be taught boundaries.”
Edward wanted nothing more than for the floor to open up beneath him and swallow him whole. He was so embarrassed and felt so guilty for snapping at her in such a manner. She was just trying to make conversation.
For a moment, Edward wondered if he should apologize, but he hesitated, fearful it would only make things more awkward.
Suddenly, Miss Clifford put her silverware down and pushed her chair back from the table.
“I beg your pardon,” she said as she stood up. “I should go and check that Lily is…is in bed asleep. If she found out you were home, Lord Harford, she might try to sneak out of her room to see you.”
Edward gazed up at her, able to see right through her flimsy excuse. She was running away, not that he could blame her.
He glanced toward his sister, and she was looking up at Miss Clifford with a sympathetic expression.
“Of course, Miss Clifford,” she said with a nod. “Will you join us in the drawing room for after dinner drinks?”
With a shake of her head, Miss Clifford politely replied, “I should retire for the night, Mrs Radcliffe. Lily will be up bright and early.”
With that, she curtsied and turned, hurrying out of the door before either Edward or Emily could stop her.
When the siblings were alone, Emily turned to him with a scowl.
“What in the world was that?” she snapped. “Why would you be so rude to the poor woman? She has been nothing but good to Lily since she arrived here.”
Edward pressed his fingers against his temple. “I know, I know. I did not mean to snap at her….”
“Well, it does not matter what you meant to do,” Emily insisted. “What matters is what you have done, and you treated her abysmally.”
Edward clenched his jaw and glared at his sister. “I understand that. You do not need to scold me….”
Emily pushed away from the table and stood as well. “If you are going to be so difficult to be around, I would suggest taking a bit more time away from the house to get your temper in check. I will not have you speaking to Miss Clifford or any of our staff in such a manner.”
Edward arched a brow at her. “Taking on the role of mistress of the house quite readily, are you not?”
