I didn’t like this. “Why? You’re a handsome, amazing man. Why wouldn’t I?”
He popped up to kiss my cheek. “I think I’ll stop using mirrors. I like how you see me much better.”
“Edwin, youarehandsome.”
He just shook his head, still laughing, choosing not to argue—his little trick for when he didn’t agree but didn’t want to fight about it. Edwin had never considered himself handsome, just nice looking. I never could figure out why or how to overturn his thoughts about himself. At least he understood I found him ravishing. I was making headway of sorts.
We entered our rooms and I immediately doffed my coat, toed off my boots, and made myself comfortable. Finally, all responsibilities done for the day.
Edwin sat with me on the sofa, snuggling against my side without hesitation or question. Slender fingers touched my cheek and I kissed him lightly, almost a tease. I could tell he wanted to say something to me first, though, so I held myself in check.
“My parents informed me yesterday that their house is back to rights.” Edwin looked a touch nervous for some reason. “I mentioned to them we’re dating, and they want to meet you.”
“I actually had a very good relationship with them in our first lives.”
“Did you really?”
“Yes, I loved them very much. They’re the parents I wish I’d had. I’ve always suspected your mother knew I was in love with you, but we never openly talked about it. In any case, I’d love to re-meet them.”
His nerves appeared to abruptly settle. “Hopefully they welcome you in the same way. I think they will. My parents boththought I jested at first, then when they realized I was serious, they sat there with their heads in their hands for a long second. By the weekend, surely the thought will have settled in better.”
“If not, seeing us together will let them know we are serious.” I teased another kiss, just a light touch of lips. “I can win them over, do not fear.”
Edwin snorted and kissed back. “The day you fail to charm someone is the day I call for a doctor.”
“You do give me such high praise, my love.”
Forget dinner, I’d have him first—
The door burst open without even so much as a knock and a wild Royce burst in. He didn’t seem distressed—far from it—but alive with energy and a sort of manic victory.
“You! How did you know? Are you from the future?!”
It took my lust-addled brain a moment to realize what he meant. “I take it the Echult worked?”
“It was exactly what I needed! The whole formula is stable now and it’s the perfect consistency for a syrup!” Royce threw himself onto the sofa opposite ours, elbows on knees, perfectly locked into his new position as he stared at me like I contained all the secrets of the universe. “Spill. There’s something very odd about you knowing the magical answer.”
How to dissemble without outright lying…?
“Yes,” Helena’s voice called as she sailed through the doorway, shutting the door behind her. “Do explain how you know all sorts of things you shouldn’t know. Like how Gillespie’s eldest illegitimate child is a boy. No one knew, apparently—not even Marchioness Gillespie.”
Shit. Was that one of those things I didn’t have confirmation of in this lifetime?
“While you’re about it, do tell us how you knew the seawalls would fail.” Helena sat next to Royce, her penetrating eyes on me. “How you knew the Wrath would hit with such force weneeded a Brown Pants Plan, because we all know you knew; the plan wouldn’t have been fully detailed and funded without your certainty. I can keep going if you’re not convinced to open your mouth.”
Edwin sat back, a small smile playing about his mouth. “James, I do believe it’s time to come clean.”
Apparently so.
Forty-one
James
I explained.
Having already done this once with Edwin, I felt like I did a better job on the second go-around, although both siblings peppered me with questions as I laid it all out. Edwin got up at one point and rang for dinner to be served. We shifted to the dinner table once it arrived so I could keep explaining but fill my stomach at the same time.
It took a good two hours to explain everything, and then I sat with my dessert—a truly excellent apple dumpling—and watched them both carefully. Even in the depths of my explanation, I’d been nervous. I’d never planned to tell them, honestly, because I’d never thought our relationship would become close enough to do so. This whole evening far surpassed my expectations. I felt jittery with uncertainty, but they were very invested in what I’d said. From the questions and such they’d asked earlier, I think they believed me. Right now, they were struggling to accept everything I’d shared.
