Damn!Had her grandmother been born male, she likely could have become a top military general.
“He’s an earl and he’s handsome, which is one of the many attributes you listed to Bess,” Grandmama continued. “My goodness, you even listed what color his eyes should be! Are his eyes blue, by the way? I think you quite firmly stipulated that his eye color had to be like a blue sky on a summer’s day,” she added in a wry tone.
Winnie heaved a deep sigh. “Yes, Grandmama, his eyes are just that shade of blue.”
“And I believe you mentioned he had to be very tall, broad shouldered, with dark, thick, wavy hair as well… Hmm?” Felicia added, waving her hand about her head.
“Er…yes…I don’t recall exactly everything I said…”
“Oh, yes, you do.”
Winnie bit her lip as her eyes strayed once more to the window.
“Well, well, well. You know, something tells me you already knew who the Earl of Capel was before we’d even met with Mrs. Dove-Lyon, given that your list of attributes described him to a T.”
Winnie cleared her throat and fussed with her gloves as shethought how best to lie to her grandmother.
Felicia let out a deep sigh. “My dear girl, you know that I only want what is best for you,” she said softly as she gently lifted Winnie’s chin so she could no longer avoid her shrewd gaze. “Then please inform me of why on earth you are running from such a man who can fulfillmywishes to see you happily married?”
“Grandmama, he is titled, but he is destitute and looking for a wealthy wife to save his earldom.” Winnie didn’t truly care about that part. After all, she knew why many titled gentlemen sought out the matchmaking assistance of Mrs. Dove-Lyon.
“Is he the reason for the dire circumstance of his earldom? Is he a gambler?”
“No. The earl’s recently deceased father risked everything on the cards and lost. He left the estate in ruins, and now Lex…I mean Lord Capel, must save the earldom and secure his mother and sister’s future.”
“I find that commendable. How can you hold this against him? Edwina, I would never believe you to be so unkind. You will inherit enough money to save a hundred earldoms, let alone that of the man who could be the father of your future children. A man of character, I might add.”
Winnie took her grandmother’s hand. “Grandmama, I need some time to consider all of this. It will happen if the earl and I are meant to be.” Even as she said it, she was unsure whether it was true. Her heart was telling her to say yes, but her head was arguing something else entirely.
“Poppycock—what will he think when he finds that you have absconded from London without discussing this with him? He will think you are uninterested and possibly move on to greener pastures. At the very least, he will think you silly and without depth. That you are a woman whose emotions shift without reason, a woman who cannot be trusted and doesn’t have her feet firmly set on the ground.You are taking a considerable risk of losing a chance at happiness, and for the life of me, I cannot figure out why.”
It’s uncanny. How can she be so spot-on? It’s as if she can read my mind.“I know how it must look to you, Grandmama. But I need some time to think. If his feelings are as deeply engaged as he conveyed to me, then I believe he will be patient.”That is a lie, because I did not even ask him to give me some time. I just up and left the dinner party at the Lyon’s Den, and now I am returning home.Winnie knew that her actions had no doubt insulted Lex and hurt him.
“A romantic notion…for a woman whose head is full of feathers. You have never been a foolish girl, Edwina. And I think there is something else at play here. I will write to Bess when we are home and ask for her advice on the matter. A fortnight at best is as long as I will be patient. If the earl has indeed moved on—and I would not blame him if he did—then we will return to London and resume our arrangement with Bess until she finds you a suitable match. I will discuss this no more with you. It is time to grow up, Edwina, and take your place in Society.”
Winnie swallowed the lump in her throat as she looked out the window. If only it were as easy as that. The problem was that she had grown up, and her grown-up mind had conjured all sorts of disastrous circumstances that could befall Lex if their relationship were to progress. And she could not and would not be the cause of his downfall.
Chapter Sixteen
Epping Forest
Essex
Lexington and Basilrode along the banks of the River Lea, where the water sparkled beneath the sun and curved like a silver ribbon between the wooded borders of Middlesex and Essex. The well-worn path wound through dense forest, the dappled light flickering over their mounts as they trotted side by side.
They knew every inch of this land. Since boyhood, they’d roamed these trails on horseback, climbing trees, playing king of the castle, dueling with sticks, and staging elaborate battles between knights and highwaymen. As they grew older, imaginary swords gave way to rifles and pistols. They’d learned to hunt, to shoot, to track. And they’d raced—endlessly raced—through open fields and wooded glens, as though their futures depended on it.
However, lately, these rides had taken on a more serious purpose.
Ever since that cur Hammond had boasted about hiring a retired regiment of Scots Greys to sniff out the elusive Lace Bandit, Lex had considered it his duty to keep watch. It wasn’t just pride—it was principle. These woods bordered his lands, and it was his responsibility to protect the peace of his earldom, as well as the tenant farmers,villagers, travelers, and tradesmen who relied on its safety. His concern about the Lace Bandit was nothing compared to his swirling thoughts about Edwina.
“I tell you, Basil, I’m at my wits’ end,” Lex muttered, breaking the companionable silence. “My mind is in a constant muddle over the little chit.”
“You haven’t heard a word?”
“Not so much as a syllable. It’s as if we’d never met. I don’t know what to make of it.”
Nearly five days had passed since his return from London. He had sent a longer, more personal note to Edwina, hoping she’d reply. But nothing. And between conferring with his estate manager, handling legal matters, and putting out metaphorical fires, he’d had little time to dwell on it—until now.
