Finally, he released a sigh and nodded. “You are right. Lily will love it. There is no reason you should not accompany me.”
Mrs Radcliffe clapped her hands together and declared, “Oh, this will be such a delight. I cannot wait for Lily to see the countryside.” She glanced toward Victoria and said, “I hope you do not mind accompanying us, Miss Clifford? I can assure you, our family’s country estate is breathtaking.”
Victoria managed to smile and said, “I am very much looking forward to it, and I am sure Lily will have a marvellous time.”
She did not look toward Lord Harford, though she could feel his eyes on her. What must he be thinking at that moment? She could not begin to imagine – and what was she evening thinking? She could not make sense of her thoughts as they bounced around her head with nauseating speed.
“Then I suppose it is settled,” Lord Harford nodded. “I was planning to leave in three days time. Can you be ready by then?”
Mrs Radcliffe replied, “Oh, yes, that should not be an issue. Do you think we can be ready by then, Miss Clifford?”
Victoria blinked, surprised Mrs Radcliffe was asking her opinion.
Slowly, she nodded and answered, “Oh, yes, ma’am. That should not be a problem at all. I will be able to have Lily ready by then.”
“Excellent,” Mrs Radcliffe exclaimed. “Then it is decided. In three days’ time, we will head to the country!”
Victoria smiled and pretended that she was not terribly anxious to go with them, and when she glanced at Lord Harford, she could see the same trepidation behind his own gaze.
Chapter 17
The house was a bustle of activity as the servants took the remaining luggage out to pack it onto the carriage that would take them to the country. Edward could not help but feel nervous at the prospect of travelling with Miss Clifford in such close proximity.
He had planned to go to the country to avoid her temptation, but when Emily had insisted the women come along with him, he had not been able to find a way to tell her no. How could he, without admitting that he was trying to put as much distance between himself and Miss Clifford? Then he would have to admit to their kiss and his ever-growing desire for her.
He could make this work, though. As Emily had said, the estate was large. He could easily avoid them if he tried to. Edward just needed to keep a cool head and get through the journey to the estate. The long, two-day journey.
“Edward, are we ready to be off?”
Startled, Edward turned and found Emily descending the front steps of the house, wearing her hat and gloves and carrying her parasol. Behind her, Miss Clifford was holding Lily’s hand, leading the little girl down the steps as well.
Despite her plain dress and simple hairstyle she sported, Miss Clifford was distractingly gorgeous. She kept her gaze lowered as she approached and stood just behind Emily. Edward had noticed she appeared to be avoiding him the past three days as they had all prepared for the journey.
He supposed he could not blame her for that, but for some reason, it still grated on his nerves a bit. He did not like the idea of her not wishing to interact with him, which he knew was hypocritical as he had done the same to her just days before.
Remembering that Emily had asked him a question, he cleared his throat and focused on his sister.
“Yes, I believe we are. We should be getting on so we can make it to the inn before nightfall.”
Nodding, Emily turned to smile down at Lily. “Are you ready to go, my darling?”
Lily gazed up at her mother and cheerfully replied, “Yes, mama!”
Edward caught the smallest of smiles tug at Miss Clifford’s lips as she gazed down at the child. Her expression was almost loving, which made his heart clench. She was quite taken with Lily. He could tell that easily. It was yet one more thing about her that he found charming and appealing.
He gave himself a little shake, pushing the thought away. It would do him no good to be thinking in such a manner, especially when they were moments from being locked together in a carriage for hours.
Stepping aside, he let the women move to the vehicle ahead of him. A footman was waiting to assist them inside the carriage, first Lily, then Emily. Miss Clifford moved to climb in next, and as she reached for the footman’s hand, Edward was overwhelmed with the strange urge to take it himself.
He clenched his hands into fists and kept them close to his sides. Once Miss Clifford was inside and settled, he climbed in as well and prayed the roads were clear and the journey quick.
***
The journey was proving more tortuous than he had anticipated. Emily and Lily sat across from him, which left Miss Clifford to sit directly next to him. It was a large enough carriage, but it felt tiny and claustrophobic with her sitting so close to him that he felt the brush of her skirts every time she moved.
For a while, he was able to distract himself enough with Emily and Lily’s banter back and forth. However, all too soon, Lily began to nod off, and Emily followed soon after. Once the two were asleep, Edward felt the air grow thick with tension. Miss Clifford stiffened beside him, and he stole a glance her way. She was staring out the window of the carriage, very intentionally not looking his way.
Clearing his throat, feeling awkward, Edward said, “Are you pleased to be going to the country, Miss Clifford?”
