He could not let that happen. He would not.
And yet, when he closed his eyes, all he could see was her face. The way she had looked at him on that bench. The flush on her cheeks. The question in her eyes.
Do you ever feel that there are things you wish to say, things that press against your lips, demanding utterance, but you cannot speak them?
Every day…. Every single day.
***
The following morning brought a note from Edward.
Martin recognised the handwriting immediately, Edward’s careless scrawl, dashed off without thought for penmanship or propriety. The seal was crooked, the paper smudged with what appeared to be coffee. Edward had never been one for attention to detail.
M.
V has sprained her ankle and is confined to the house. Some misadventure in the park, apparently she was remarkably vague about the details, which makes me suspect there is more to the story than she is telling. You know how she is.
Mother is driving her mad with fussing. Father has retreated to his study to escape the feminine histrionics. I am caught in the middle, as always.
Come for dinner tonight and provide distraction. You are better at entertaining her than I am…she actually laughs at your jokes…I have no idea why. She specifically requested I invite you, though she attempted to disguise it as general enquiry about your welfare. I am not fooled.
Bring wine. Father's cellar is adequate but uninspired, and I cannot face another evening of his claret.
E.
Martin read the note three times, searching for hidden meanings that were probably not there.
She specifically requested I invite you.
She specifically requested.
He should decline. He should plead a prior engagement and keep his distance until this madness passed. Being near Vanessa was dangerous was more dangerous now than ever before, when his composure was already so fragile. One morning in her company had left him shaken to his core. An entire evening, with her injured and confined and looking at him with those questioning eyes...
He did not trust himself.
But she had requested him. She wanted to see him.
And he wanted to see her too.
He reached for his quill and began to write.
Edward…
I shall be delighted to attend. Please convey my sympathies to your sister regarding her injury. I trust she is not suffering unduly.
Regarding the wine: I shall bring something from my cellar that will make your father weep with envy. One must maintain standards.
Until this evening.
B.
He sealed the note and rang for a footman to deliver it.
Then he sat back in his chair and stared at the letters on his desk.
Chapter Ten
Vanessa had never realised how insufferable confinement could be until she was subjected to it.
