“No.” She took a step back, watching me critically. “Why do you care about my aversion to marriage? It is none of your concern.”
“As your friend, I am merely curious.”
This response did not placate her. I could see it in the way panic filled her eyes. Surely, she did not suspect my intentions? My fear that I had made a mistake in bringing up the subject amplified when she continued to back away from me.
“I think that is enough touring for one day. There are things I must see to. I bid you good day, Lieutenant.”
I opened my mouth to beg her to stay, but she spun around and entered the stairwell before I could. With a groan, I ran my hand down my face and shook my head. Foolish. I never should have pressed her. If Annette suspected I wished to court her, she would retreat. Flee. All my progress would go with her.
This mistake might cost me, and I still had no idea why she wanted to avoid marriage.
Chapter eleven
Edward
Theviscounthadnotbeen in the best of health when I arrived at Kenwick, but for the past three days, I had been unable to meet with him at all. Lady Paxton informed me each morning that her husband was not well and needed rest. I offered my sympathies and understanding, and with each passing day, worry gripped me more. What if he did not recover? What was I to do then?
Our agreement was verbal. To my knowledge, nothing had yet been put on paper, though Lord Paxton had promised he would speak to his man of business about doing so. I’d seen no reason to rush a contract, given that I wasn’t the most optimistic I could convince Annette to marry me. That problem, of course, paled in comparison to the forthcoming grief I would experience. The viscount had taken me under his wing, and the thought of losing him sent a pang through my soul. I could only imagine how his family must feel.
How Annette must feel.
I’d not seen her beyond mealtimes since our tour of The Towers. Her avoidance was not subtle, as she refused to remain in the same room as me if she could help it. Twice, I had noticed her walking through the gardens and attempted to join her, but I never could locate her despite racing out of the house to do so.
Where did she run off to?
What was more, I had made no progress regarding Hollinsby and Adda. If the man was living at Willowbrook Manor, then he had mastered the art of hiding. I rarely saw so much as a servant leave the house. The entire thing frustrated me.
My frustration eased, however, when Lady Paxton informed me during breakfast that her husband was feeling much better and had requested I meet with him. As I climbed the staircase in the vestibule, I tried to push the challenges before me aside. There were things I needed to discuss with Lord Paxton regarding them, yes, but his health mattered more to me than anything. Perhaps today was best left to shallow conversation.
I knocked on his door, and his strong response to enter surprised me. That, at least, was a good sign.
“Edward,” he said, his lips curling into a grin. “I’ve missed you. Come in, come in.”
He gestured to the chair at his bedside, and I obliged him by taking a seat.
“You are looking well,” I said.
The viscount scoffed. “Well? I doubt that but appreciate your attempt to stroke this sickly old man’s pride. I imagine I appear quite ghastly.”
True, his skin remained pale, but he did look better than I’d yet seen him since my arrival.
“But enough about my appearance. I’m not the one you're wooing.” He patted my shoulder. “How are things going with my Annette?”
I forced a smile. “Perhaps we should keep our discussion—”
“Do not patronize me. I’m not so frail as all that. Tell me.”
I heaved a sigh. “Not well. We were making progress, but I fear I have overstepped. I asked her why she has no wish to marry, thinking the information might help me.” I paused. Why had I not considered asking her father? He might know the reason for her reluctance. “You don’t by chance know why she is so against it, do you?”
Lord Paxton chuckled. “I do not. She has refused to tell either myself or her mother. Annette has always been independent. Even as a child, she never wished to be coddled. I imagine part of her reluctance simply comes down to her personality.”
“And the other part?”
He shook his head. “I can only give you conjectures, but at times, I have wondered if marriage scares her.”
Scares her? My brows furrowed. “Why would she be afraid to marry?”
The viscount shrugged. “Do let me know should you figure it out.”
