“They abandoned their friend, which caused him to suffer so much that he took his own life.”
“Hmm…” Octavia clasped her hands behind her back. “The incident has certainly made me wonder how far I might go for the people I love. Not sure I’d be able to manage murder, though. I’m thinking it takes a certain sort of person to engage in something so awful.”
“Or simply the right sort of circumstances,” Violet mused. “Perhaps we’re all capable, if we’re pushed to the limit.”
“What a frightening thought,” Octavia said.
Melody would have echoed her sentiment, had her attention not been distracted by the man who entered the park. Tall, broad-shouldered, and with a haunted look about him, his presence reached out across the distance between them and tugged at her heart.
Edward.
She’d not seen or spoken to him in two weeks. Not since their run-in at Seven Dials.
He shifted his gaze in her direction, and she saw recognition flash across his face. His expression hardened and for a second she thought he’d give her the cut. Instead, he approached with purpose.
“Miss Greene, Miss Burley.” He acknowledged each of her friends with a short bow before looking directly at Melody. “A word, if I may?”
She tightened her jaw. No semblance of politeness. As if she didn’t even deserve that much from him anymore.
Fine. It was fine. She answered with a clipped nod and told her friends, “Feel free to continue without me. I’ll catch up with you at Gunter’s.”
She waited until they were headed toward the gate before asking Edward, “Shall we walk, my lord?”
There was no dismissing the irritation that flashed in his eyes when she stressed his title. Unperturbed, she started walking away, leaving him to catch up. Of course it wasn’t fair. She knew that. Edward had been through hell after losing Evie. Only to have his heart shattered again when he realized the woman he’d fallen for next was a lie.
But Melody had feelings too, and she would not allow Edward or anyone else to trample on them in anger.
“I want you to quit your position.”
His harsh words speared her. She whirled toward him and saw the fury that danced in his eyes. “You cannot ask that of me.”
“Why? Because only Harlowe can give you orders?”
“Edward, I ne—”
“You will not use my given name any longer,” he growled before grabbing her upper arm and yanking her closer. “I am Marsdale to you from now on, or my lord, if you prefer. Is that clear?”
She swallowed, not entirely sure how to deal with this incensed version of him. Apologizing might be a good start. She raised her chin. “I’m sorry.”
“I don’t believe you.” His voice was cold. Foreign.
“You didn’t just fall for me. I fell for you too, which is why this is so horribly hard.”
“Answer me this…” No sympathy in his voice whatsoever. “Were you deliberately placed with Lady Heathbrooke? Is my godmother an assignment to you?”
“Initially, but—”
“Do you have any idea of the kind of danger you’ve placed her in? Do you even care?”
“Edward, I—”
“Marsdale,” he snapped. Nostrils flaring, he towered over her, crowding her with his much larger size.
Had she not been a skilled combatant, she might have feared he’d turn violent.
His fingers on her arm tightened. He sent a glance sideways, and something in his expression changed. An odd look of calm that sent terror straight down her spine.
Before she could figure out what it meant or where it would lead, his mouth was on hers, fierce and hungry, as though he were starved. His arms came around her, holding her firmly in place while he kissed her. Except this was no simple kiss. Whatever this was it was wrought from pain and heartache. It was a reprimand wrapped in the semblance of pleasure.
