“I will simply stop attending.” He shrugged, completely unbothered. “When I do not mingle with the nobility, I will no longer be considered a prime catch because I am certainly not putting myself through that again.”
“But Edw–”
“You are aware I only went tonight to have a good, peaceful time and meet a few old friends since the Season is just beginning, but it turned into a marriage market.” He sighed. “Rosalina, I have no desire to get married and indulge myself in courting anyone. This is nothing but a headache for me.”
“Edward, you promised Mama that you would be attending a few balls and parties at least, and now that everyone knows you are in London, the invitations will come flooding in, and it will look rude if you do not attend,” she reasoned, “at least do it for the sake of that promise.”
“Did you not see how Lady Alice behaved the entire evening?” he asked, feeling annoyed once again.
The evening had already been awkward enough for him, but to add to the unpleasantness of it, he had a run-in with Lady Alice, who refused to leave his side the entire time. She even forced him to dance with her, and as a gentleman, hecould not deny her constant insistence at the risk of appearing unnecessarily rude. Edward knew she wished him to court her, but he was never going to go through with it, and the sooner she accepted it, the better.
“Trust me, I have communicated to her enough times that you are simply not interested, but she fails to understand.”
“She will understand when she cannot even find me at a single ball.”
“Edward, you are very much a part of this ton. You cannot back off from everyone and simply maintain distance.”
“I cannot have women trying to scheme their way into my life and force themselves on me. I already have enough problems of my own, Rosalina. I cannot afford to have any more of them.” He sighed, feeling defeated.
He really was exhausted after this ordeal of an evening.
“Scheming reminds me that you must stay far away from Lady Arabelle and Lady Miranda,” Rosalina said, suddenly looking angry.
“Why?”
“I accidentally heard the two of them talking, and they were discussing how they will try to woo you and perhaps get caught in a scandal where you will be forced to offer marriage to one of them to appear honourable.”
Edward had never been more disgusted.
“Trust me, I won’t be caught up in any scandals. I am done with the ton already.”
“But Edward–”
“Good night, Rosalina.”
“Edward, I know you are extremely angry right now, but cutting yourself from the ton is hardly a good idea. You will have to interact with them during my wedding festivities anyway.”
He had already turned around to ascend the stairs, but Rosalina continued to follow him, trying to change his mind. Although Edward’s mind was already made up.
“I will interact with them during your wedding but not otherwise. My mind is made up, please do not waste your breath trying to reason with me.”
He looked at Rosalina’s disappointed face before entering his bedchamber, feeling slightly at peace.
Maintaining distance was his best option right now.
“Good morning, darling Cousin.”
Edward stared at Rosalina suspiciously, her bright smile and excellent spirits throwing him off a little mood. He had completely expected her to be sour and angry with him after their argument the previous night, but she seemed to have already recovered from it. Edward was surprised but glad to see she had accepted his decision and would not be pestering him to change his mind.
“Are you feeling alright, Rosalina?”
“Perfect.”
“I am quite ecstatic to see our argument has not turned your love for me into hatred, and you do not seem bitter about it at all. It appears you finally understand my position.”
“No, that is certainly not the case.” Rosalina laughed, sitting on the sofa beside him. “I actually have another reason to be feeling this confident.”
“Do tell,” Edward drawled lazily, returning his gaze to the newspaper open before his eyes.
