Page 46 of A Bride for the Beastly Duke
He probably wants to give us some time to catch up with each other’s news,she consoled herself, but she was still disappointed that she did not get a chance to show off what a great husband he was.
After breakfast, Lily insisted on escorting Margaret to her guest quarters while her parents went off with the butler, so Ava took the chance to seek Edward out. To her surprise, she found him in his study, bent over some papers.
“What are you up to?” she asked, and he jumped, looking up with wide eyes as if he’d been caught with his finger in the cookie jar.
“Er, Ava…what are you doing here? Are your relatives properly settled?”
She stepped into the room with a frown. “Well yes, they are off to freshen up. What are you doing here? Why didn’t you come for breakfast?”
He looked a bit shamefaced, and that was when she noticed he was wearing his mask. “I thought I would catch up on some work.”
She took another step closer. “Oh, did you not want to greet my family?”
“Of course I did. I just assumed they would want to speak with you—and Lily—alone.”
Ava’s heart melted, knowing that her assumption had been correct. “Yes, well, they wanted to see you too. Youarepart of the family.”
He smiled a bit cynically. “I know I am, but there is no need to press my presence upon others just because they are obliged to include me.”
Ava’s brow furrowed with concern. “That’s not…” She shook her head. “You arenotan obligation!”
Edward came around the desk and walked right up to her, cupping her jaw before kissing her cheek. “You are sweet to say so, little dove.”
“I say it because it’s true.”
He laughed. “No, it’s not true. Just because you want it to be doesn’t make it so.” He bopped her chin gently. “It’s quite all right. I know I am a hideous sight. No need to afflict your parents with it unnecessarily—especially after a long journey when all they want to do is be refreshed.”
She grabbed at his collar, pulling him close. “You talk such nonsense!” she said before grabbing his mask and violently pulling it off. “And you don’t need that!”
He simply blinked at her, nonplussed. “I have upset you,” he said as if it was a revelation.
“Of course, you have! It is an insult to meandmy family to think that we would be repelled by you!”
He grinned, “Or have such bad manners as to show it?”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “I am serious.”
He put his hands on her arms, rubbing gently. “I know you are loving and good-hearted my dear. Your heart is pure and filled with nothing but love for others, but sometimes it stops you from seeing what is in front of your face.”
“And what is that?”
He considered her briefly before shaking his head. “No, I shall not say it if it hasn’t occurred to you. Once a thing has been said, it cannot be unsaid.”
“Whatever do you mean by that?”
“It means,” he leaned in to kiss her forehead, “that I promise to be present at supper. Now, if you will excuse me, I have work to do.”
Ava huffed even as she leaned into him as well. “Fine, but I shall expect you at supper. Do not let me down.”
“I would never.”
Chapter Nineteen
Edward really had intended to keep his promise and show up at dinner, but then he received Royal Mail by express post exhorting his help in flushing out a certain gentleman who apparently resided in his neighborhood. The gentleman in question was related to the blackmail case. If what Sir Richard had said, and what Edward suspected was true, these two cases were related. If Lord Norbert’s blackmailers were somehow also involved with Jonathan’s death, then Edward would have them dead to rights.
What will you do?
The voice challenging him sounded uncannily like Jonathan’s. Whatwashe prepared to do to avenge his brother? Before Ava and Lily, he might have said he was willing to give his life.
