“I think I will join Bennett and Lord Hilgrove on the lawn,” Edwina replied as she rose. “It would be much more enjoyable than wasting away my afternoon in here.”
With a concerned look, Martha said, “There is no shame in resting, given the circumstances.”
“I am tired of resting. That is all I seem to do now,” Edwina remarked.
Martha tipped her head. “Very well,” she conceded. “Let’s get you dressed so you can spend time with the handsome Lord Hilgrove.”
Edwina feigned confusion. “Is Lord Hilgrove handsome?” she asked. “Perhaps I could see his appeal tosomewomen but he is much too...” Her voice trailed off as she thought of the right word. She didn’t dare admit that she found him to be extremely handsome or Martha might wrongly assume she had interest in him.
Knowing that Martha was still waiting on a response, Edwina settled on, “Earlish.”
“’Earlish’? What does that even mean?” Martha asked, clearly perplexed.
Edwina inwardly scolded herself for blurting out such a nonsensical word. But she couldn’t back down now and risk exposing her true feelings. “He looks and acts the part of an earl,” Edwina said.
Martha looked unsure. “Is that not a good thing since he is, in fact, an earl?”
“It is, I suppose, for some people, but not for me,” Edwina replied with a slight shrug of her shoulders.
“To clarify, you don’t like people that act the part of being titled. Or is it just earls you have a complaint against?” Martha questioned.
Edwina winced, knowing how utterly ridiculous she sounded. “I am not explaining myself well, but I have no interest in Lord Hilgrove.”
“I never implied that you did,” Martha said.
“Good, good,” Edwina muttered. “Because just the thought of us two together is absolutely ludicrous. We are such different people.”
Martha bobbed her head. “I believe you.”
“Yes, well, that is settled then,” Edwina said. “I’m glad that we are in agreement.”
“We are,” Martha said, holding up the dress. “But do you plan on spending your time with me or would you rather go join the ‘earlish’ Lord Hilgrove?” Her words held amusement.
Edwina slipped the blanket off her shoulders and draped it on the back of the chair. “I am going to spend time with Bennett, who happens to be with Lord Hilgrove at the moment,” she clarified.
“My apologies,” Martha said lightly. “Why would you want to spend time with a handsome, unattached lord?”
“Because he is just Bennett’s guest,” Edwina stated.
Martha shook her head. “Just promise me that you won’t close yourself off from the idea.”
Edwina knew that her lady’s maid was only trying to help, but she had no intention of even entertaining the thought of pursuing Lord Hilgrove. He may have been her hero earlier, but that is all that he was- a fleeting hero in the moment of danger. No matter how calm and familiar his gaze felt when it met hers.
She decided to respond with what her heart dictated. “I know you mean well, but Lord Hilgrove is not my future. I am sure of it.”
“If you say so, my lady.”
“I do,” Edwina stated confidently.
Martha smiled as if she were privy to a secret. “Very well, then, shall we dress you?”
After Edwina was dressed, she departed her bedchamber and headed towards the main level. She halfway expected everyone to gawk at her since she wasn’t wearing her mourning clothes, but the servants went about their tasks, giving her little heed.
Making her way down the corridor towards the gardens, Edwina heard her aunt’s voice call out to her from the study.
Edwina changed course and entered the study. She saw her aunt sitting on the settee, a book in her hand, and her uncle was hunched over his desk, reviewing the ledgers.
Her aunt’s eyes gleamed with approval as they swept over Edwina’s appearance. “You look lovely, Dear,” she praised before turning to her husband. “Doesn’t she, Lionel?”
