“She says you own Bumble Cottage,” I address Edward, sitting up straighter. “Is this true?”
“Yes.” His eyes meet mine, brimming with a thousand apologies. I can’t believe he put me in this situation—completely blindsided by his boss.
“Ms. Steele seems to think I’ve tricked you into letting my family stay in the cottage,” I say to Edward. “I want to make it clear that we are willing to move out immediately.”
“Wait! Elinor! Nobody’s asking you to move. I don’t want to sell Bumble Cottage—I love it.”
“Edward! Youhaveto sell the cottage,” says Lucinda.
“Idon’t—and if you pull any more stunts like this, I won’t sell the rest of the land that comes with it.”
“You told me I needed to visit Norland Park, and now I’m here. I don’t see why you are angry.”
“Fine, I’ll show you around the park” he says in a calm, cool voice, but his jaw ticks with repressed anger. I didn’t think it was possible for Edward to get this angry. “Just give me a few minutes with Elinor.”
“I wouldn’t trust him, dear. He’s broken so many hearts.” She stands up and picks up her purse. “So lovely meeting you, Elinor.” She throws Edward a pointed look. “I’ll just give you two some privacy.”
“Lucinda!” Edward says exasperated.
His boss laughs carelessly and gives me a small wave goodbye before turning to Edward. “Ed, darling, I’ll be waiting for you in the lobby. Don’t be long.”
As angry as I am at Edward, I loathe this woman. She came here purposely to turn me against him. And though she may have succeeded, I still despise her methods.
Edward slumps down in the chair she vacated. He looks miserable—as he should.
“How much do you hate me?” he asks.
“Please tell me you never dated that woman.”
“No! Did she say that?”
“She implied it. Then again, she implied... never mind. But why didn’t you tell me you own Bumble Cottage?”
“I don’t know—I thought if I told you, it would complicate things and you might insist on moving out.”
“I do insist on moving out. I can’t take free rent from you.”
“But you could take it from my grandpa?”
“While I was working for him, yes—and when I thought you were speaking for your mom, my boss. I assumed living in Bumble cottage was still a perk of my job. But now that I know it’s your house... it makes no sense for me, a mere acquaintance, to live rent-free in your house.”
“Are you saying I should kick you out—while you’ve worked hard your entire life supporting your family, and I’ve had everything handed to me?”
“Yes! That’s exactly what you should do.”
“It doesn’t seem right to me.”
“Edward, you are very kind. But you can’t just let me squat in your multi-million dollar home. That’s not how the world works. And it puts me in an awkward position.”
“I don’t see...” For a minute he looks truly confused, and then the penny drops and he turns beet red. “Oh... I do see—I mean... that’s not...” I would find Edward’s awkward embarrassment adorable if I weren’t currently so frustrated with him. “But I promise I don’t expect anything... nothing like—”
“Just stop talking; you’re making it worse.”
“Sorry,” he fiddles with his cufflinks, becauseof coursehe’s wearing a suit today—and looking so good in it.
“What were you thinking, telling me we could stay?” I ask. How did you plan to make this work?”
“I wasn’t thinking. I threw out my original plan the moment I met you.”
