I wanted to cling to the warmth of it. The hope. Could it truly be that Edward loved me? Father had seemed so convinced of it, and Edward’s actions supported the claim. He refused the money. He returned to Kenwick.
Hold on, love.
He had called me love. Did I dare hope he meant it?
The doctor arrived, and I did my best to portray a modicum of patience. He checked the swelling of my ankle, measured my pulse, and questioned me as though he feared I sustained a head injury. My responses were curt and, admittedly, not without a little venom. Mother chided me more than once, and I apologized. The poor man was only doing his job, after all. He had not prevented me from seeing Edward before now.
“She is recovering as expected,” the doctor announced. “You should take things easy for another week, Miss Apsley. Avoid riding or going for extended walks, that sort of thing, but otherwise, there is nothing I am concerned with.”
“Thank you, Doctor.” Mother dipped her head. “Might I see you out?”
“That is very good, my lady. Good day, Miss Apsley.”
“Good day,” I called to him, unable to curb my enthusiasm.
The moment the door closed, I climbed out of bed. Rose chuckled from across the room but wasted no time in helping me dress. It took any remaining patience I had left to sit still while she fashioned my hair into a simple but elegant knot.
I hurried from the room once she had finished, the sound of Rose’s laughter echoing after me. The stairs required a slower pace, which I learned after attempting them too quickly and feeling a dull ache in my foot. Once I made it to the bottom, it occurred to me that Mother had not mentioned where Edward was.
As the drawing room was closest, I decided to check there first and was rewarded the moment I stepped inside. Edward stood near the window, his gaze trained outside. He wore a black coat over a burnt red waistcoat, and his hair was a disaster of wayward curls, as if he had run his hand through it a dozen times.
I wouldn’t mind adding to that number.
He stood statue-still, but there was something anxious about his expression. Was it due to his desire to see me? And what would our conversation entail?
Nerves twisted my stomach. I wanted to believe Edward loved me. My rejection of him a week ago had struck him. Pain and regret had marred his face. I had been quick to abandon all hope of him returning my feelings then, afraid his reaction was yet another performance. Afraid my attachment had blinded me from the truth once again. Time and Father’s explanation had afforded me clarity. Edward was not Mr. Wilcot. Even if he did not love me, he cared deeply for my well-being. That much could not be denied.
“Oh, good. You are finally here.”
My gaze snapped to the other side of the room, where Russell sat with an annoyed expression. My heart sank a little. I did not need my brother present for this conversation.
“Well, come in then.” He gestured rapidly with his hand. “I have things to do, you know. I cannot play chaperone all day.”
I glanced at Edward, who was now looking at me. His eyes darted over my body, as if he were searching for any sign I remained unwell. Then, they landed on my face. Our gazes locked, and his features softened. The warmth and longing there threatened to melt me into a puddle on the floor.
“For Heaven’s sake.” Rus stood and crossed the room to me. “If all you intend to do is make eyes at each other like this, then perhaps I will find someone else to babysit.”
“It was you who requested this,” said Edward. The words were gentle but carried amusement.
Rus glared at him. “Yes, well, you have not entirely earned my trust back, now have you? If Netty decides she wants you tossed from Kenwick, I will see to the matter myself.” He turned to me, a question in his eyes, even as the wrinkles in his forehead smoothed. Just like Edward, his expression softened as he looked at me, and I realized it then. This expression was one of love.
Not the same sort of love, of course, but genuine care and affection. Both of them displayed it openly. Rus, as my elder brother, worried over me. Wished to protect me. Yes, we often fought, but this proved how much I meant to him. In his own way, he loved me, and I adored him for it. I worried about him, too, even now as I noted the dark circles under his eyes, traces of his exhaustion.
And Edward…
I glanced at him, and my heart skipped.
“Thank you, Rus,” I said, launching forward to wrap him in an embrace. “But throwing him out won’t be necessary.”
Rus’s arms encircled me as he whispered. “Are you certain? I could take him.”
“Yes.” I smiled, fully doubting his claim. Rus was athletic, to be sure, but Edward had spent years in the Navy. That was bound to give him an advantage. “Quite certain.”
My brother pulled me away and nodded toward Edward, his lips twitching. “Well, go on then. Put the poor sap out of his misery. But”—he held up a finger—“remember that I will be watching. From over there. Don’t try anything improper.Eitherof you.”
“Noted,” I said before sweeping past him. “Though, respectfully, I offer no promises.”
Rus heaved a sigh of frustration. I couldn’t see him with my back to him as I walked toward Edward, but I could imagine him shaking his head and rolling his eyes. He muttered under his breath. “Sisters.”
