He put his cup and saucer on the table and edged forward in his chair. “Is it? We have been in each other’s company for some weeks now, and I thought… That is, it seemed to me…” He sighed. With a grimace at his trousers, he slipped down on one knee. “Will you marry me, Laura?
“Oh, please do get up, Edward, before you crease your clothes.”
Relieved, Edward jumped up and brushed himself down, returning to his seat. “Well? What do I tell Mother?”
Laura gazed at him speechlessly. Now the words were said. She could no longer avoid giving him her answer. Her breath deserted her at the realization she didn’t love him, if she ever had. But he was a decent man. Life would hold no surprises. It would undoubtedly be pleasant, living here in the village, which was so familiar to her. She gazed at his face as he sat waiting patiently. Could she devote her life to making him happy? After all, there would be no one else, and Debnam had forgotten her.
Laura put her cup and saucer down beside his cup on the table. Edward’s smile encouraged her, but she found no sign of desire in his eyes, or even the fear she might refuse him. Whether or not this proposal was an attempt to make amends for the upset he had once caused her made no difference. She couldn’t marry him. They had little in common. Edward lacked humor. She tried not to dwell on Debnam’s amused, gray eyes and his teasing smile. With a quick intake of breath, she straightened her shoulders.
“Edward, I cannot…” Laura tried to form the words into a refusal that would not wound him. “I fear we won’t suit.”
He looked astonished. “Not suit? We’ve known each other since we were little more than children, and we always got on well, until…” He flushed. “But since we met at the ball, I have become even more certain we are meant to be together.”
Laura wondered if he really believed this. He admitted he had loved his wife.
Edward studied her face. “Does something worry you? We can spend a Season in London now and again.” The flush deepened on his cheeks. “And should there be a happy event…” He coughed. “Mother is eager to be of help in the nursery.”
What did he think of her lack of a dowry? Was he making a concession to marry her? His late wife’s family was wealthy. Laura found it impossible to explain what was important to her. He would not understand. “You haven’t mentioned love, Edward.”
“Well, it’s a little soon, Laura, after my dear wife. But I am confident we will come to love each other in time.”
She smoothed her skirts over her knees. “But, Edward, please understand. I don’t think we will.”
“Because you haven’t forgiven me? I thought…hopedthat was in the past.”
“Yes, of course, it is in the past. There is nothing to forgive. It might have happened for the best.”
“Happened for the best?” he repeated hollowly.
“We were friends,arestill friends, but I wish for more in a relationship. To be passionately in love.”
Edward’s nervous fingers fussed with his cravat. “Passion? What does a lady know of such things?”
It seemed they disagreed on the very nature and meaning of love. It surely meant wishing happiness and fulfilment for the one you loved. “Women are also flesh and blood, Edward. Some of us want more from marriage than just to be mothers.”
“I never thought to hear you speak this way, Laura. Your mother would be greatly shocked. You were gently raised.” He looked at her curiously. “Whatdoyou want?”
“A husband who loves me and allows me to be myself, and to do as I wish.”
“Do as you wish?” Edward shook his head. “I’m not sure I understand you. Once married, women see to the running of the house and raise children. A lady supports her husband, and she stands by his side at social engagements. What else is there?”
“I hope to have the freedom to discover it.”
“Something has changed you.” He looked suspicious. “Was it a man?”
“I suppose I grew up.”
Edward stood. “Well, that is that, then. Nothing further to be said.”
Laura rose too and came to take his rigid hand in hers. “You will find the right partner for you in life, Edward.”
With a half-hearted laugh, he drew his hand away. “I’m sure I will. But what about you, Laura? It might not be so easy for you to find someone to marry you, with your absurd ambitions.”
He turned and stalked out of the drawing room. Her hands on her hot cheeks, she heard the front door bang.
A moment later, Robert entered the room. “Why has Edward left so soon? I thought we might play cards.”
Laura went to the fireplace and rearranged the china ornaments on the mantle. “He asked me to marry him.”
