“You are wrong!” Bennett shouted.
Edwina’s face softened. “I wish we were,” she said.
Bennett started pacing the small room as he retreated to his own thoughts. Miles dropped his hand and created more distance between him and Edwina.
After a long, tense moment, Bennett stopped pacing and turned to face them. “I know you believe what you are saying to be true, but my father can’t be who you claim he is. He is not a liar or a cheater.”
Miles opened his mouth to reply, but Bennett continued. “And I will prove it to you. We shall confront my father and he will tell you this is all one big misunderstanding.”
“Do you think that is wise?” Miles inquired.
Bennett’s jaw clenched. His voice was gruff as he spoke, the strain of emotions evident in every word. “What choice do we have?” he asked. “You two seem to believe the worst of my father.”
Edwina approached her cousin and slipped her arms around his waist. “I’m sorry, Cousin. I truly am,” she said before she turned and quickly left the room.
Once Edwina had departed from the library, Bennett pointed his finger at Miles. “This changes nothing,” he declared. “You will marry my cousin!”
Miles met Bennett’s gaze with a calm determination. “If she will have me,” he replied.
“Oh, she will!” Bennett exclaimed. “Her actions have consequences. She must accept that.”
With that, Bennett stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
Miles dropped down onto the nearest chair, finally feeling as if he could breathe. The conversation with Bennett had gotten away from them, but he could understand his friend’s hesitation. They were asking him to believe his father was capable of despicable things.
As bad as that was, he now had the terrible misfortune of trying to convince Edwina to marry him. He had vowed never to get married again, but he couldn’t risk leaving Edwina’s reputation in shambles. Not for his mistake. He should never have tried to kiss her. But a part of him didn’t regret his actions.
A marriage to Edwina wouldn’t be so bad, he thought, and that is when he realized he was smiling.
Edwina made her way over to the Warrens’ cottage, each step becoming more irate. She was furious at Miles for even proposing the ludicrous idea of a union between them. She refused to enter an arranged marriage, knowing Miles would never truly love her. He was too in love with his late wife to ever open his heart again.
She wanted more out of a marriage. She deserved that. Yet Miles and Bennett were so keen on her throwing away her life on a kiss that never happened. Yes, she wanted to kiss Miles. In that moment, nothing else had mattered. All she wanted was to feel his lips on her own. But they had been interrupted. Which was for the best.
So why did she hope Miles would try kissing her again?
Edwina arrived on the Warrens’ doorstep and pounded on the door. The door promptly opened and Mr. Warren greeted her with a kind smile.
“Good afternoon, my lady…” His words trailed off. “What is wrong?”
“Bennett is trying to force me into an arranged marriage,” she informed him.
Mr. Warren put his finger up, indicating he needed a moment. He turned his head and shouted, “Betsy!”
A moment later, Mrs. Warren appeared in the doorway as she rubbed her hands on an apron that was tied around her neck. “Whatever is the matter, Dear?”
Mr. Warren tilted his head towards Edwina. “Lord Dunsby is trying to force Lady Edwina into an arranged marriage.”
Mrs. Warren gasped. “Dear heavens, no!”
Edwina bobbed her head. “Yes, and he is being entirely unfair about it.”
Ushering her inside, Mrs. Warren asked, “Can I get you a cup of tea?”
“No, thank you,” Edwina said.
“Are you sure? It has been my experience that a cup of tea can help even the most difficult situations seem a little bit more tolerable,” Mrs. Warren encouraged.
Edwina frowned. “Not this situation.”
