Page 79

Mr. Coventry barely gave the slightest of nods in response.

The door clicked behind him, and Edward glanced back to find that Mr. Morley had left. Unease crept upon Edward like a silent shadow. Did anyone else know he was in the room with Mr. Coventry?

“I will bring him back if you prefer,” Mr. Coventry said. “Though I will treat you with civility if you pledge to do the same.”

Edward hardly believed the man. After all, how could he? “I can promise that, Mr. Coventry.”

The man drew a deep breath, looking none too pleased. “Much has happened between us, Mr. Steele. I would like to say that I have overcome the mistrust you’ve caused between me and my family, but as you know, that is not the case.”

So Edward had been brought here to simply be berated further? His heart deflated, what little hope he’d allowed himself slipping from his grasp. Why had he even bothered to come? The man would not yield. Edward would never be with Miss Coventry.

He glanced to the bookshelf, his fingers twitching as he took in the sight of the unfinished carving. He did not enjoy leaving things incomplete, and yet, Mr. Coventry had spoken.

“Is that all you wish to say to me, sir?” he asked, his tone clipped. “If so, I will be on my way, as I’ve a stagecoach to catch.”

He’d come so far, was so close to Miss Coventry. He could almost smell the cherries on her breath, see the joy in her smile, feel the warmth of her love.

“If only I could allow you to depart,” Mr. Coventry murmured with a look of regret. “As it is, I have brought you here for another reason.”

Edward’s jaw tightened as he waited impatiently for the man to continue. Would Mr. Coventry ask him to finish the carving without pay? To return the money he’d given him? To swear on his life to never see Miss Coventry again?

“What reason is that, sir?”

“To answer two very pressing questions.”

Edward’s brow drew low. Questions? He’d traveled twenty miles, hadn’t slept a wink, and abandoned Mother again for two questions? Could this man be any more inconsiderate? “Very well. I will do my best to answer them.”

Mr. Coventry’s stare intensified. “Has anything improper occurred between you and my daughter?”

Edward drew in a steady breath, his whole face aflame in seconds. What a thing to be asked by the man whose daughter he longed to marry. “Apart from speaking alone and”—he cleared his throat—“the kiss we shared last week, nothing else happened between us, sir.”

Mr. Coventry seemed to contemplate the answer. “That is just what Marianne has told me.”

How Edward yearned to see the woman. “It is the truth, sir.”

“Hm.” Mr. Coventry’s gaze did not falter. “You are fortunate I believe her. For if I did not, you would not be standing alive before me today, I assure you.”

Edward’s cravat seemed to tighten on its own at Mr. Coventry’s mirthless smile. “I am well aware of that fact, sir.”

The man remained silent.

“Have you another question for me, sir?”

“I do. I must know if your feelings for my daughter are true. Do you love Marianne?”

Edward had never been asked a more important question in his life—nor had he been asked an easier one. With all the love in his heart, he replied. “Yes. Yes, I do.”

Mr. Coventry was silent for what seemed an eternity, his eyes—green, like Miss Coventry’s—delving into Edward’s before he finally nodded. “I believe you.” A beat passed. “But that does not mean you are right for my daughter.”

The words did not come as a surprise—indeed, Edward had expected them. And yet, the wind had been sapped from his sails once again. How much more torture would this man put him through?

“Fortunately, for your sake,” Mr. Coventry continued, “my opinion holds very little weight, as Marianne is adamant in her love for you, as well. She believes that she will be far happier with you than without.”

Edward refused to make room for hope in his heart. He could not believe the man had changed so drastically, so swiftly, to allow Edward any chance at being with Miss Coventry.

Mr. Coventry stepped across the room toward the bookshelf, running his fingers along the smooth section Edward had not yet carved. “When you left Daffley Park, I was determined to announce your despicable behavior to all of Somerset. I did not believe you deserved the chance to work again, given your actions. Fortunately, for your sake, my daughters spoke to my conscience.” He glanced at Edward sidelong. “It would seem that you have finally found advocates in this world.”

Edward blinked in silence. Both daughters had spoken in his defense? What he would not give to know what had been said.