“Yes, so am I.” Baroness Aldridge made a face. “The morning sickness finally decided to abate, otherwise I’d not have made it today.”
If memory served, she carried twin boys. Although she wouldn’t know that yet. “Congratulations are in order, I see.”
“Yes, we’re happy about the baby,” Baron Aldridge said with a doting smile at his wife. “Just not the process, as that’s been rough on us both. Her more than me, naturally. How are you doing, Your Highness? Settling in?”
“Indeed, I am. Helena and Royce have been very welcoming to me.”
Catching the implication, Baron Aldridge caught my eye. “Not Prince Victor? Well, he likely sees you as an interloper.”
“More a usurper. Granted, I am usurping his jobs, but only because he’s not doing them.”
“In fact, James is going to use those jobs Victor’s been ignoring in order to train me.” Helena waved her fan, her smile a little naughty. “He thinks I have potential to be a good ruler.”
“You’ll be quite good at it, once you get some experience under your belt.”
Baroness Aldridge perked up immediately. “Oh my, are you contending for the throne, then?”
“I’m certainly throwing my hat into the ring.” Helena spread her free hand out in a shrug. “I think I’m the best candidate, but I have valid reasons for that. No one thinks Victor is worthy. Royce doesn’t want it. Why can’t I be the one to take it, then?”
“I’m quite sure Your Highness would do a smashing job.” Baroness Aldridge firmly nodded, satisfied with her own decision. “I’ll support you.”
Baron Aldridge gave me a look askance. “I thought you were adopted in to be the new crown prince? Was I mistaken?”
“Very mistaken,” I hastily corrected. “I’m here to help, not take over. It’s actually written in my adoption contract that I cannot be made king.”
“Ah. Well, you best spread the word about, as we all thought otherwise.”
Dammit. Now, that just figured.
“I’ll be sure to do so—” Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Edwin coming toward me while speaking with Duke and Duchess Wickham. “In fact, let me start now. Lovely chatting with you both. Let’s have a proper sit-down at some point.”
“Of course, you’ve guests aside from us.” Baroness Aldridge waved me on.
I went, but not far, only five feet or so.
Edwin reached me first and murmured, “I believe you wanted to chat with them?”
“I did, thank you.”
I waited, almost expectantly, for him to say something else. A quip or an aside or a bit of banter. Edwin’s running commentary, often loaded with sarcasm, was my only saving grace at these events.
Then I realized past Edwin was comfortable enough to banter with me, but this Edwin hadn’t reached anywhere near the same comfort level. In fact, he wouldn’t even sit and share a meal with me.
The thought pained me all over again, a quick stab to the heart. I turned my face away from him to hide my expression, pretending I was reaching for a cup of punch to cover the motion.
He wasn’t my Edwin, not yet, and I really had to stop expecting those behaviors from him. It only hurt me and made him uncomfortable. I had to be patient.
Be patient, me.
All right. Smile on, head up. You’ve got allies to meet and charm all over again. Which sounds dreadful, but do it for your sake and Helena’s. Now, go.
“Duke Wickham, Duchess Wickham, I’m glad we’ve got a chance to properly chat. I barely got your names the other night. Thank you so much for attending my adoption ball—”
Edwin stayed just in my shadow, there if I needed him, as always. I focused and didn’t let myself get distracted by him.
Be patient, me. Be patient. The old life you yearn for so ardently will be yours again, but you must give it time. Just give it time.
Seventeen
