He cut her a look.“Very much so.”
“Is that the only reason you’ve been so cheerful since your arrival?”
“What do you mean?”
A soft snort turned into a chuckle, banishing any lingering tension from their previous conversation.“You’ve been whistling in the hallways and giving piggyback rides to your nieces.I’ve not seen you so relaxed or playful since you were a child.It’s been lovely, and it got me thinking – hoping really – that it might be because you’ve met someone.A woman, that is.Which is not to suggest that you could ever replace Evelyne in your heart.But as your mother, I worry for you.I fear it cannot be helped.”
She didn’t have to say that it was past time for him to see about getting married and ensuring his progeny – the continuation of the Pryce family line.He knew this to be his most important duty.And though he’d not have believed it possible five months ago, he was slowly becoming open to the idea of falling in love once more.
The thought reminded him of Miss Roberts and the pleasure he’d started to find in her company.
“There it is again,” Mama said.When he looked at her she was studying him with interest.“That boyish grin that makes you look like you’ve just received first prize in something.Your sisters have noticed it too, you know.”
“I’ve only met with them once since returning here.”
“Which proves the extent of the impression you’ve made.Piggyback rides, Edward.Everyone was speechless.Lavinia’s husband suggested you’d probably won a bet.”
Edward laughed.“You know I’m not a gambling man, Mama.”
“Indeed I do, which is why I’ll put my money on the change being due to a new attachment.”
The hope in her eyes suggested she’d not find peace until he’d spoken his vows.It pained him to know that she had such concerns and decided to do what he could to alleviate them, if only a little.
“You’re not entirely wrong.”
Her squeal of excitement was so loud it chased away a group of sparrows that had been hopping about on the path ahead.She must have realized her lack of decorum, for she instantly froze, hands over her mouth, and glanced about to see if anyone else might have heard her.
Edward sent her a look of amusement and kept on walking, selecting a path that would take them back to the house.
It took a few seconds for Mama to catch up.Her arm wound around his, forcing him to slow his pace.“Who is she?”
“Her name is Miss Roberts.She’s Lady Heathbrooke’s companion and before you get ahead of the situation, I would not go so far as to say that we’ve formed an attachment.We’ve danced a couple of times and have met once or twice besides that.At present, it would be presumptuous of me to suggest she’s more than a friend.”
“But there’s mutual interest for more?”
“I believe so, though there’s much for me to take into account before I consider something as serious as courtship.Her questionable parentage will likely pose the greatest obstacle, along with the fact that neither Adrian nor Lady Heathbrooke is thrilled by the idea of such a union.Mostly because they don’t think it’s possible for me to make her my countess.”
“But you disagree?”
Instead of answering her directly he said, “I lost my chance at love once because I was a coward.Had I been braver, Evie and I might have married, in which case she’d most likely still be alive.The resulting shame and regret cannot be measured.So moving forward, I plan to do better.”
“Good.”Mama raised her chin and he saw that fire burned in her eyes.“If you decide to pursue Miss Roberts, I shall support that decision.It’s my belief your sisters will too.”
“She’s born out of wedlock.Not to a peer,” he added before Mama could comment, “but rather to a laundress.”
“Oh.”
“Exactly.”
Mama worried her lip before saying, “She wouldn’t be Lady Heathbrooke’s companion if she were completely disgraceful.Nor would she have won your favor.If she’s part of Society, then she must be somewhat respectable, surely.”
“No one will approve of her marrying up.If she and I were to become affianced, it would cause a scandal.”
“Probably, but then again there’s always a scandal of some sort or other.Such things keep Society going, but most tend to be forgotten with time.”
“Nevertheless, it could affect Lavinia and Theodora.”
“Not much, I suspect, when both are already settled and neither one frequents London.We’re quite isolated from that sort of silliness here in Chenswick.”
