Page 64 of The Matchmaker Meets her Duke
She attended every matchmaking party at Someries Manor with her, co-hosting and matchmaking side by side with her, treating Pandora's guests like her own guests, taking Pandora's passion as her passion. Not to talk of the protective eyes that she hovered over every corner that Pandora took to since her belly had begun to swell with child, fending off even the slightest appearance of discomfort or inconvenience that anyone or anything posed to her.
She had been quietly patient with Edward too. "He'll come around. I know he will," Pandora often assured her, and Rose nodded wordlessly. But as the days rolled into weeks and the weeks into months, Rose's despairing uncertainty had begun to show.
"He'll never forgive me. Look at me. I don't deserve him, anyway."
Pandora patted her shoulder and encouraged her in what little way she could, but the throb of Edward's temple, the stony look that stormed his face at her presence, or the mere mention of her name had begun to chip at Pandora's hope as well.
"You're doing more than enough, dear Rose," she said to her now and closed her eyes dreamily.
Pandora did not know how long she slept the moment Rose put her feet up. But when she woke it was to the blurry sight of the door creaking open, and two tall, well-sculpted men entering the room and doing their best to shut the door without a sound. They were trying not to wake her, and Pandora was grateful. But she was already awake so they might as well.
She tried to sit up.
"No, no, lie still, my love,'' Emmett's voice was too close to her ear. When she turned his gentle hand was behind her back, tucking a pillow so it fit perfectly into the crook of her waist. He smelled rich, like whiskey and pine and something that was just him. Utterly him.
She smiled up at him. "Who do we have here?" Her tone was light-hearted, her voice still drowsy from the short-lived sleep she had fallen into.
"Your husband," he said, "checking up on you for the thousandth time this evening. Shall you be inclined to give him a kiss?"
"That I certainly shall," she said and dropped a kiss on his cheek as he stooped low.
"How do you feel?'' he asked.
"Very extremely pregnant."
"I would never have guessed it, what with the swell of your tummy," he said, and Pandora laughed her heart out. He was grinning at her with those salt white, perfect teeth, and her heart filled with a warm delicious lightness.
Pandora massaged her temples mildly. She was astonished that Emmett could still make her laugh and forget herself, even with her swollen feet and her swollen belly, and her morning nausea and her afternoon grumpiness. Or dizziness, depending on the events of the day and perhaps the mood of the baby too.
"It's good to see you well, Sister," said Edward, standing perfectly still by the door, his arms folded across his chest.
"The baby's a fine bundle of joy. When he isn't being a bundle of nerves," said Rose enthusiastically. She was obviously desperate to hold a conversation with Edward.
Edward's response to her was a stiff smile. Hardly a smile, as a matter of fact. A bare lift of the corners of his mouth, as if his cheeks would bleed if he allowed for a slightly larger smile.
Pandora exchanged a meaningful glance with Emmett, and they sighed together. They understood Rose's predicament and felt sorry for her, but they couldn't possibly force Edward's hand. Nobody could. There was nothing else to do but wait, and hope. He would take his time. Or he would not come around at all. Nevertheless, the choice would be absolutely his.
Emmett pressed a light kiss to Pandora's forehead. "We'll be in the study if you need us."
"Uh, after gracing my party with your presence, you mean," she called after him. He pretend to groan but bowed dutifully. "I wouldn't dare miss it for anything in the world, Your Grace."
"I expect nothing less," she imperiously intoned, and both men turned on their heels.
"Edward, I–" Rose started to say, but Edward had put his back to her. "Lady Rose," he bowed curtly.
He shut the door behind him.
Pandora smiled at her sister-in-law. "Give it time."
"It's been eight months."
"At least he speaks to you now."
"Yes, we ought to celebrate that," said Rose. Pandora knew she was being sarcastic, but she admired her ability to make light of such an obviously painful matter.
Rose crossed the chamber and gently sank herself in beside Pandora. The bed heaved with the weight of her. "He'll never look at me the same way again."
"I'm sure he will."
