Page 60 of The Gentleman Was Right
“I am not frazzled, and I’m quite…happy.” She refused to acknowledge how relaxed and happy she’d been when she first woke up—just like she refused to admit how stressed she was about it. “I thought you’d wish to return home, so I came as soon as I arose.” She patted her hair. “I apologize if I was incorrect. I am not used to us being separated, and—” She floundered at what to say next.
“It is quite an adjustment when your family expands or changes,” Emmeline said kindly. “I experienced it when my brother married and then again when I married Sebastian. We should have made it clear that your sister can stay with us as long as she likes. She is most welcome here.” She smiled warmly and gestured at the table. “As are you. Would you care to join us?”
Violet hesitated, more than a little overwhelmed by Emmeline’s genuine acceptance of her new status as a member of the family.
“The biscuits are delicious. You should have one,” Isabelle added. She didn’t seem eager to leave, and Violet didn’t want to make things more awkward by demanding they do so.
With the way her stomach was churning, she didn’t think she could eat a single bite, but she nodded to Emmeline and said, “Thank you. I appreciate your generosity.”
Smiling weakly, Violet took a seat at the table and accepted a steaming cup of tea as the conversation around her resumed. She didn’t pay much attention to the topic, as it was difficult to keep her thoughts from drifting back to the night before.
In the light of day, she was equal parts shocked and confused by the intensity of her coupling with Edward, even though she probably shouldn’t be. She knew from experience how easily she could be ensnared by passion. Was she destined to tumble head over heels for any man who showed unabashed interest in her?
Immersed in her thoughts, she didn’t register that Edward had joined them until he appeared directly across the table from her and pulled out a chair. His normally immaculate hair was a bit wilder than normal, and his wedding attire was rather wrinkled, but otherwise he seemed calm. Not angry about being left behind. Or overly affected by their lovemaking.
For unknown reasons, she lurched to her feet and curtsied. Appalled by her awkwardness, she tried to cover her discomfort by saying, “Hello, husband. Fancy seeing you here.”
Speaking only made her actionsmoreawkward, and she fought the blush that crept up the back of her neck. It was a losing battle, because even though she told herself to keep her mouth closed, words kept slipping out. “I’m quite sorry. I should have waited for you this morning. When I awoke early, I didn’t want to disturb you, but in retrospect I shouldn’t have left until you were awake.”
She wrinkled her nose. Rambling was making her more uncomfortable, not less.
“I’m sorry,” she repeated.
“It’s fine.” Edward studied her closely. “I wouldn’t have minded if you had woken me up, but you are free to visit my family without me anytime you please.” He winked at his sisters. “I dare say they might appreciate your company more than mine.”
They laughed, but Violet didn’t join in.
“I—” She stopped and shook her head, not knowing exactly what she’d been about to say, but aware that she couldn’t inform him that the sexual connection they’d formed during the night had inspired all sorts of feelings within her. Even if she wanted to explain, it wasn’t as if she could do so in front of his family.
No doubt Belinda would find the conversation amusing, but everyone one else would be rightfully appalled.
When she didn’t finish her sentence, Edward asked, “What’s wrong?”
She swallowed and tried to think of a witty response. Or a way to deflect. Why was he so observant? And why did it make her want to spill her every thought? “Nothing is wrong.”
He raised his brow, while she started fidgeting with her spoon.
“It’s raining today,” she added, as if mentioning the weather explained everything.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he popped half a biscuit in his mouth and grabbed another one from the overflowing plate in the center of the table. “It was more of a drizzle when I came in. I know you—wait…it’s raining. Does that mean…do you wish to take a stroll?”
“Of course not.” She huffed. “Who takes a stroll in the rain?”
“I’ve recently discovered that I adore walking while it’s raining.”
His eyes twinkled, and she rolled hers in return.
“You do not.”
“Yes, I do. It was an unexpected discovery, I’ll admit, and I’d relish the opportunity to test its validity. How kind you are to suggest it.” He rose to his feet and swept his eyes over the other ladies at the table. “If you will excuse us, my wife and I fancy stretching our legs.” His gaze settled on her again. “Shall we?”
No one spoke as she stood up. She told herself that the only reason she wasn’t arguing was because she didn’t want to embarrass him by refusing to go with him in front of his sisters.
It wasn’t necessarily true.
“Make sure to take an umbrella,” Belinda called out, her voice ripe with amusement.
“We will return before long,” Edward responded, ushering Violet out of the room.
