Edwina placed her hand on his sleeve. “Thank you, kind sir.”
As they made their way to her uncle’s study, Edwina gathered her strength. Miles was right. There was no reason why anyone would suspect what she was truly doing. She had visited the study on numerous occasions before without any suspicion being raised.
They stopped outside the open door and Miles dropped his arm. “Remember, I will keep watch and alert you if anyone approaches.”
“Will you signal me with a bird call?”
Miles looked baffled. “A bird call? Whatever for?”
“If someone is approaching, just mimic a nightingale’s song and I will know to stop,” Edwina explained.
He looked at her like she was mad. “How in the blazes am I supposed to mimic a nightingale?”
“It is not too difficult,” she replied. “But if you prefer, just mimic a robin’s song. Surely, you can do that.”
Miles opened his mouth and closed it before saying, “Can you make those bird calls yourself?”
Edwina brought her hand up to her mouth, creating a seal with her fingers to avoid any air escaping, and let out a clear whistle that echoed down the corridor, a perfect mimicry of a robin’s song.
While she dropped her hands, Miles said, “I still can’t do that. What if I tell you if someone is approaching in words? Not bird calls?”
“Very well, but that isn’t very spy-like,” Edwina remarked.
“Trust me, neither is a bird call,” Miles said. “Now go inside before our conversation attracts any unwanted attention.”
Edwina took a quick glance at the study and noted the large wooden desk positioned by the long windows, filled with papers and books. “Can you come with me?”
“Then who would stand watch?” he asked. “Besides, it wouldn’t be wise for us to be caught in the same room together.”
Edwina reluctantly admitted that he had a point and began to step towards the study when her aunt suddenly appeared around the corner, spotting them immediately. “Whatever are you two doing?” she inquired.
Panicked, Edwina stumbled over her own words. “Nothing… why would we be doing anything?” she asked, turning her gaze towards Miles. “We are just standing here, minding our own business.” Drats. Why couldn’t she stop rambling?
Her aunt came to a stop in front of them. “Are you all right, Edwina?” she asked with concern in her voice.
Trying to cover up her discomfort, Edwina forced a bright smile to her face. “I am more than all right! I am so happy, infact, that I feel like changing into my yellow gown.” She resisted the urge to groan at her clumsy attempt at a diversion.
Her aunt perused the length of her. “What is wrong with the one you are wearing now?” she questioned.
“Nothing is wrong with this gown. Nothing at all,” Edwina replied.
Miles cleared his throat. “Lady Edwina was hoping to collect a book from Lord Dallington’s library. She is rather eager for me to read it.”
“Oh, which book?” her aunt asked.
“Sense and Sensibility,” Miles replied. “My late wife, Arabella, loved that book but I lost my copy when I left the Continent.”
Sympathy filled her aunt’s eyes as she offered words of comfort. “Reading can be a wonderful way to occupy one’s mind during difficult times.”
“Yes, it is,” Miles agreed.
With questions in her eyes, her aunt turned towards Edwina. “Shall I retrieve the book for Lord Hilgrove, then?”
Edwina shook her head. “No, there is no need for you to go through any trouble,” she replied. “I thought you had plans to have tea with Mrs. Walker.”
“I was just about to depart when I saw the two of you loitering outside of Lionel’s study,” her aunt said.
Edwina let out a nervous chuckle. “We were not loitering. We have a purpose for being here.”
