He straightened defensively in his chair. “Very well. Amelia has not awoken since my return last night. When I am not in the room with her, I am ordering servants about for no particular reason. The entire household looks to me for something to do to improve her situation, but I cannot do a thing. All I can manage is to sit by her bedside, agonizing over how similar this situation is to my mother’s. My wife may very well die, and I will never have told her I loved her! And then there are the two of you coming in here demanding answers that Icannotanswer, and I am tired!”
“Well,” Lady Cromwell said.
“Yes. Well,” Lady Anderson added, settling into a chair beside Edward and patting his hand.
He rubbed his temple. That was, perhaps, more information than he had intended to reveal. At least he did not mention the scars. That was not his information to divulge, much as he was bursting to speak of them with someone.
Lady Cromwell’s regal bearing suddenly sagged as she lowered herself to another chair. “I am sorry, Edward. I did not mean to antagonize you so.”
It was Edward’s turn to appear dumbfounded. “It is nothing,” he said.
“No, it is not nothing. Your mother asked the two of us to keep an eye on you and to care for you as she might have. But I have continued to treat you as the boy you were when she passed. It is only that,” she took a quick breath, “I fear I have contributed to your Amelia’s condition, and I feel woefully helpless and ignorant and guilty. I apologize for taking that out on you.”
She seemed older as she spoke—as if numerous weights pressed down on her shoulders. Lady Anderson reached over and patted her arm comfortingly.
“All is forgiven, but what is this? How could any of this be your fault? That is absurd.”
Lady Cromwell smiled weakly. “I forced my presence on her that evening. It was clear she did not wish for company, but I am meddlesome and far too stubborn for my own good. Perhaps if I had—”
“No.” Edward cut her off with a hand in an ungentlemanly gesture. “This can be no one’s fault. The physician has said it is an infection. That could not have come on in a single evening. You must allay your worries on the matter.”
Lady Cromwell did not appear wholly convinced, but she nodded her understanding.
“That was very good of you, Augusta. I am quite proud of you just now.”
Lady Cromwell shot Lady Anderson a scathing look. Lady Anderson only smiled kindly and turned to him. “Now, Edward, what are you to do?”
“Continue awaiting the physician, I suppose.” What else could he do?
“No, I mean about telling your wife you love her.”
“Ah. I haven’t a clue. If you have any suggestions, I am open to them.” Perhaps he ought to simply listen to someone else for a change. He was not doing well on his own.
“Well, you ought to tell her of your feelings, certainly.”
“Lady Cromwell advised me against that.” They both looked to the lady in question, who huffed.
“I did not—not exactly. From my limited knowledge of your Amelia, she was a timid creature, needing to be eased into the idea,” she defended, a spark of her usual confidence returning.
Edward barked a laugh. “Amelia is as timid as a lion, Lady Cromwell.”
“That is not at all how it appeared at your dinner party.” She tilted her chin in defiance.
“Dinner party?” Lady Anderson cut in. “Why was I not invited?”
“It was before you were in London, Charlotte. Now, hush, this is not about you.”
“Now wait a moment, I’ve been in London since before you, Augusta.”
Lady Cromwell turned to Lady Anderson in surprise. “Truly? I did not think you arrived until a fortnight ago.”
Lady Anderson sighed. “My own friends, not even aware of my presence. I even visited Edward here!”
That reminded Edward of Amelia’s mistaken view of who Lady Anderson was. If only she were well, he could introduce them. He could do a great many things if only she were well.
“As I was saying,” Lady Cromwell sighed at the both of them, “the woman I saw at the dinner party was subdued and overshadowed by her family. I could not possibly imagine she would take to a declaration of your love easily. But, while this does not happen often, it would appear I was wrong. Even my small conversation with her the evening she fell ill was enough to show me that woman has fire within her. I quite like her, Edward.”
“As do I.” He grinned.
