Page 70 of A Bride for the Beastly Duke
She looked up at him, brimming with affection. “I love you, Edward.”
He smiled, leaned down, and kissed her. “I love you too, Ava.”
To Edward’s surprise, Pemberton agreed to come to tea.
“I think we should get your mother and sister, Lily as well, out of the castle, just to be safe,” he suggested to Ava.
“No. What if he suspects anything? We are going to carry on as normal. I do not think he will attack us at tea,” she said sardonically.
“But he is not likely to talk with an audience.”
“Yes, that is why I will suggest you show him something in your study that will give you time to talk alone.”
Edward grinned. “Something?”
She shrugged, pushing his shoulder impatiently. “You know what I mean.”
He nodded. “I do.” He took a deep breath. “It is a good idea. Catch him off guard.”
“Yes.”
Their gazes met and held. Both were silent, saying nothing for a while.
“I promise I will be careful,” he said.
“You had better be. I will never forgive you if something happens to you.”
He leaned in and kissed her, a smile on his face. Ever since she had told him her news, he had not been able to suppress wave after wave of happiness that came over him without warning from time to time. He did not really want to contain his joy, even as he worried that being so happy was just an invitation for something bad to happen.
Edward went to his office, retrieving all the files he had on the case. He had decided that he would confront Pemberton with the picture first. Perhaps the Marquess would have an idea who might have drawn it and why. Edward arranged the files on the desk before leaving the room and closing the door behind him.
“The Marquess of Pemberton is coming?” Margaret said excitedly. “Oh my.” She looked critically down at her gown. “I have to go and change.”
Without another word, she turned around and took off up the stairs. Ava watched her go with a smile but then jumped as her mother grabbed her arm. “Why did you invite that man here?” she hissed angrily.
“Oh, it is not…” she flailed, trying to find the right words. “He has some information that His Grace requires. We are not trying to encourage…” She waved her hand up the stairs at Margaret.
“Why can the Duke not just ask him then for this information?”
Ava opened her mouth, casting around for words. “It is complicated. But just know that Margaret is safe from him—Ipromiseyou, Mother.”
“Humph.” Martha raised her chin. “Very well, I shall defer to you. I take it you expect us all to attend this tea?”
“Yes, please. Edward will take the Marquess off at some point to his study with some encouragement from me. If you can back me up with that, that would be helpful.”
Martha squeezed her hand, nodding haughtily. “Of course, I will help. Is this to do with the Duke’s brother?”
Again, Ava hesitated but then shrugged inwardly. “Yes, it is.”
Martha pursed her lips. “Very well. Never fear, my dear. We shall help as much as we can.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
“You are welcome. Now, let us go and make sure we have got a nice selection of things to eat. Come with me, Ava. You need to learn how to do this for yourself.”
“But… the housekeeper?” Ava protested as she stumbled after her mother.
“She is supposed to do as you say and not make decisions for you,” Martha said firmly, pulling her along.
