Page 55 of Romancing the Artist

“Please, Uncle Eddie?”

“Yes!”

“Will Mama let us?”

“If you are looked after,” he said, rising from his crouch. “I am happy to escort you. Perhaps we could ask Charity and Patience to come? And your Queen Caroline?”

Lady Irene was up in a trice, running to Caroline with her hands outstretched and shouting her invitation, “Will you take us to the beach, Caroline? Please?”

Little Isaac brushed off his trousers as he stood and narrowed his eyes up at Edward. “You want to take us to the beach?”

“Of course.”

The child appeared more skeptical. “And you want Caroline to come?”

Perceptive child. “Don’t you want her to come, too?”

Isaac shrugged one shoulder upward in a near-perfect imitation of his uncle and namesake, Sir Isaac. “I suppose. But no more kidnapping her if she’s going to stay our queen.” The boy squared his shoulders and lifted his chin upward. “You must promise not to steal her away. On your honor.”

A weight the situation did not merit settled on Edward’s heart. The boy’s innocent demand, all part of a game, made him hesitate. He looked up, where Lady Irene and his little nieces had pulled Caroline to her feet, tugging at her hands and skirts as they spoke with excitement. Caroline smiled in his direction, laughter parting her lips and making her eyes dance.

Edward promised, “I will not kidnap your queen, nor make any attempt to steal her away. On my honor.” The words didn’t remove the pressure resting above his heart. Indeed, the feeling changed, sinking deeper within.

Caroline still wore her crown of daisies, and she left her bonnet behind on her chair as she came to meet them, her attention now riveted by the children skipping at her side.

“I suppose that’s all right, then.” The boy didn’t sound as though he believed Edward.

Which was fine, really. Because in that moment, the possibility of stealing Caroline’s heart had entered Edward’s thoughts. A flutter of excitement stirred in his chest, and Edward’s natural impulses, so trusted by him in all matters, didn’t demand immediate action.

Instead, his heart and mind seemed to whisper one word in accord. Wait.

Despite listening to that instinctive demand, Edward’s mind raced forward. What of his desire to travel? Her devotion to her art? He had nearly kissed her, and he had the feeling she would have returned that kiss. Even though no one had been there to witness their game of pretend. She had to have feelings for him.

What were his feelings for her? He couldn’t be falling in love, surely. He had hated the idea of marriage. Of a chain around him, keeping him forever moored at the Refuge and the apple orchards.

But perhaps not all chains were the same?

Wait.

He could do that. He would do that. But while he waited, he’d go right on wooing Caroline. And for a little while longer pretend he wasn’t falling in love with her.

Chapter 17

When Caroline greeted Edward, nearly bouncing on her toes in her excitement, his less-than-cheerful smile gave her pause. Usually, he greeted her with enthusiasm. Today, it was with preoccupation.

“Am I late for our appointment?” he asked as he handed his hat and gloves to the footman by the large front doors. Caroline had intercepted him in the entryway of the castle rather than wait for a servant to bring Edward to her.

“No, of course not.” Caroline approached Edward as the footman withdrew, somewhat hesitant. “Are you well, Edward?”

“Me? Of course.” He tucked his hands behind his back, not quite meeting her gaze. “Where are we working today?”

“If you aren’t in the frame of mind for this—”

Edward’s hand slipped around hers, his bare fingers brushing across her knuckles before gently clasping her fingers. “Caroline.” He said her name gently. “I am well. There is nowhere else I would rather be and nothing else I would rather be doing. My morning began with Claude needling me about the picnic again. The unpleasant effects of that conversation have lingered, is all. Now that I am here with you, things will be better.” He punctuated his statement with an added squeeze of her hand, the pressure soft but reaffirming his words.

Caroline sensed the tension lingering in him, standing this close. When he took her hand, a jolt of warmth ran through her, and she couldn’t quite explain the confusing mix of comfort and excitement that his touch brought her. She pushed the thoughts away and focused on the present. “Perhaps this will cheer you. Rather than spend the whole of your time sitting still, or moving about like a doll at my command, we are going on an exploratory campaign.”

His eyebrows raised, but the dimness yet remained in his eyes. “Are we now? And what is it we are meant to be exploring?”