“I’m sorry to hear it.”
“Truly?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
Edward rolled his eyes. “Because you’re against my associating with her.”
“As much as I appreciate your high opinion of me, Edward, I do not make the rules. I merely pointed them out to you so you wouldn’t be hurt when it became clear to you that a match between you and Miss Roberts would be impossible.”
“My mother disagrees,” Edward said, his temper rising as it had done the last time he and Adrian discussed this subject. “Why can’t you be equally supportive?”
“If what you say is true,” Adrian said, his words measured, “then I must tell you that I don’t believe your mother is being realistic about this.”
Heat swept the length of Edward’s spine, settling at the base of his skull. “My mother cares about my happiness and insists our family will survive any scandal my attachment with Miss Roberts may lead to. She is encouraging me to fight for what I want, Adrian. And in light of your own successful union with Samantha, along with the fact that you are a man intent on smashing all obstacles in his path, I don’t comprehend your lack of support.”
“You and I aren’t cut from the same cloth, Edward. I can weather storms that would crush you, mostly because I don’t care what others might think. But you do. Being cut by your peers, having them sneer at Miss Roberts because you chose to make her your bride, would pain you. For now, as Lady Heathbrooke’s companion, she is accepted, but as a countess?” He gave an incredulous laugh. “She’ll be ostracized, Edward, made miserable as a result. You too, I wager. It won’t be easy for you to watch her suffer.”
Edward stared at Adrian. It took a great deal of restraint not to lash out at his words. Each was a cutting blow to the hope Edward had woven these past few months. His pulse tripped with unsteady beats, his skin pricking as anger vibrated through him.
Grappling for rational thought, he made himself ask, “Is this because of Evie?”
“Of course not. I’ve already told you it’s time for you to move on.”
“And yet, you refuse to accept the woman I’m interested in.” While Adrian’s argument sounded reasonable, it didn’t make as much sense as it might have, had it been spoken by somebody else. Coming from Adrian, however, it made Edward wonder. “Is there anything you’re not telling me?”
“What?” Adrian seemed taken aback by the question.
“Samantha grew up with Miss Roberts. Has she confided information that might further darken Miss Roberts’s past?”
“Of course not.” The firm statement sounded plausible. “Had she done so, I’d have let you know.”
There was nothing else then. Just the concern that the match would lack Society’s approval. It wasn’t enough. In fact, Adrian’s argument seemed increasingly weak.
For the sake of their friendship, Edward decided to make one final attempt at gaining his approval. “I risked criminal charges to save you from public execution. If what I ask in return is for you to give me and Miss Roberts your stamp of approval, will you do so?”
Adrian froze, his lips slightly parted in visible shock. Edward’s voice had been calm, his words measured, yet sharp enough to convey how tight the leash was on his rising emotions.
“Edward…” Pain shone in Adrian’s eyes.
“Yes or no, Adrian?”
He swallowed, his mouth flattening as he gave an answering nod. “Of course. I owe you my life, so if this is what you want in return, then you shall have it.”
Relief washed through Edward with such force a rough sigh was pushed from his lungs. “Thank you. It bears mentioning that I don’t know what will happen when Miss Roberts returns, but it eases my mind to know that you’re in my corner. As long as that’s true, I believe she and I can weather whatever else may come our way.”
Adrian’s frown suggested he might disagree, but rather than repeat his concerns, he said, “The road you’re choosing to walk with her won’t be easy, but if you love her, then I do believe the obstacles you’ll face can be overcome.”
Rather than comment, Edward raised his glass and clinked it against Adrian’s before downing a mouthful of brandy. It was much too soon to consider love in connection with Miss Roberts. Did he like her? Without question. Was he attracted to her? Absolutely. But love required time to flourish. It didn’t evolve from a few brief encounters but rather from a series of shared experiences, both good and bad.
What he had determined, however, was that he enjoyed her company well enough and found her enticing enough for love to gradually grow between them. For while she could never take Evie’s place, he believed Miss Roberts could make him happy. And it was this more than anything else that drove him.
5
Adrian fixed another drink for himself after seeing Edward off. He downed the contents in one swift gulp and savored the bite. His friend had a point and as such, he’d backed Adrian into a corner. A choice had been presented. Adrian could either stand by Edward’s decision or risk losing his friendship forever.
He had no doubt this was what would have happened had he kept trying to steer Edward away from Miss Roberts. The flint in Edward’s green eyes had proved it.
Is there anything you’re not telling me?
