They nodded as they passed Henry, who was standing with ramrod precision and a look of importance as he surveyed his charges.
“It was kind of you to offer to pay him double what he was to make watching the previous man’s horse. It’ll likely be a great boon to his family.”
Edward shrugged, tucking Amelia’s arm into the crook of his own. “It is only fair. He will have twice the work with my two horses. Besides, he made a good first impression. I intend to see if he’d like a position in our household if he performs his job admirably. What say you?”
“I think that sounds wonderful.” Amelia smiled at him, and the expression drew a smile of his own.
***
They turned a bend in the path, the Serpentine ahead of them. Somehow, the sight of the lake did not draw from Amelia any of the anger or helplessness it would have only a few weeks before.
“Why is it that you decided to startle me?”
He must have known exactly to what she referred, and a lopsided smile appeared on his face. “First, I did notdecideto startle you; that was purely accidental. But I approached you first because I was intrigued. And then I saw you’d lost your bonnet, and I’d recently made a—er—decision to be... well, suffice it to say I wished to help.” He shrugged with one shoulder. “I had no clue it would gain me a wife.”
“Ah, yes. A wife you intended on finding this Season regardless.” She narrowed her eyes at him and twisted her lips, her teasing hopefully evident.
Lord Norwich looked out over the lake, his gaze contemplative. “No, not at all the wife I intended on finding.”
Amelia swallowed, looking away, but he turned to her, using his free hand to softly raise her chin. His strong, warm hand sent tingles across her face.
“You misunderstand me, I believe. I simply meant that you were a far better surprise than I could have imagined, Amelia.” His eyes were earnest when she raised her own to meet them.
“Why?” They were standing fairly close, but Amelia did not move, her curiosity overwhelming her barriers.
“Hmm?”
“Why were you to choose a wife this Season?”
“Ah.” He paused, and for a few breaths, she did not believe he would answer.
Disappointment, and a hint of frustration, doused her.
“If you truly wish to know, I had tired of Society and was prepared to exit the marriage mart.”
“But whychoosea wife instead of simply opening yourself up to the possibility? Was it that there were many options? Did you—did you have someone in mind?” The question escaped before she could determine the wisdom in asking it.
“No. There was no one.” His gaze bore down on her, and their forward progress halted entirely.
Relief flooded her. Until she remembered the letters on his desk. If there was no one else, why was he writing to women?
“And to answer your other question, I wished to choose a wife so as to not find myself in a relationship such as my parents.” His hand dropped from her chin, but he did not move.
“Your parents?”
She saw the way his jaw tightened and fully expected the conversation to end there, but it did not.
“My father was not a caring man. At least, never that I recall. As a child, that was difficult to bear. My mother, as his wife...” He shrugged, looking away. “I have been told he cared once at the start of their marriage and during their courtship. But theirs was an arranged union, arranged between my grandparents to solidify the connection between households. They hadn’t much to build on and then... well, my father made some poor decisions that cost him my mother’s affection. It seems ridiculous now, but I suppose I thought that if Ichosemy wife—if I did not allow affection to color my decision—then I would be able to more firmly control the outcome. And then I would not succumb to the uncaring role my father took on. I-I am quite terrified I may still.” He shot a look at her, one filled with vulnerable insecurity, but then he returned to staring at the lake.
His sincerity was undoubtable, and the meaning of his words surprised Amelia.Edwardhad appeared flippant and uncaring at the start of their marriage. But his intent was the exact opposite.
The knowledge was enlightening and comforting, nearly pushing away her doubts.
He still held himself stiffly and refused to meet her eye. Tentatively, she placed a hand on his arm, just below his elbow.
“It would appear you are nothing like your father. I imagine your mother would be quite proud.”
The emotion in his eyes startled her even more when he finally locked his gaze on hers.
