Page 93 of Trapped with the Forbidden Duke
“I have missed you, Nicholas,” she told him. “And of course, I believe you. Thank you for telling me.”
He nodded.
“And you have somebody else to thank, you know.”
Nicholas’s eyes darted behind Edwina at the clearing of a throat. A hand brushed Edwina’s shoulder.
Nicholas sat up a little straighter. “Lucien.”
“Nicholas.”
The two men eyed one another, distrust and awkwardness filling the air.
“I believe I may have said some rather unpleasant things to you the last time we spoke,” Nicholas sighed.
“Rather, the last several times. But you look incredibly terrible, so I might just have to forgive you. Honestly, are you even sleeping?”
“I do not look that bad,” Nicholas muttered, rolling his eyes. “I have looked worse.”
Lucien raised an eyebrow. “No. No, I do not think you have.”
Despite herself, Edwina sniggered, especially as Nicholas cracked a smile.
“We have a lot to speak about, do we not?” Nicholas asked, glancing again at Lucien.
“Indeed. But I do not wish to press you too hard, so we shall keep it light. Edwina, your aunt has requested your presence in the parlor. We shall join you soon.”
“Oh, Heavens. Edwina, do not leave me with him.”
Edwina laughed as her brother turned pleading eyes on her.
“Is this my punishment? To endure time alone with your husband, who will no doubt give me a good hiding for causing you so much trouble.”
“Perhaps,” she teased. “But you two were friends before he was my husband, so do think of that more.”
As she made to go inside, he caught her wrist. “Edwina… you seem happy. Are you happy with him?” His voice dropped. “I cannot sit with the guilt of thinking you have tied yourself to him only so I can recover here.”
Perhaps at first.
But out loud, she said, “I am most happy, Brother. I would be only happier to see you with color and good weight on your face, and the knowledge of you two being civil once more.”
“I am perfectly civil,” Lucien muttered. “It is this idiotic heathen who is not.”
“Heathen! I shall have you know that I am becoming the perfect gentleman once more, you entitled, pompous duke.”
Edwina tensed up, but the men only smirked at one another, clearly finding their own rhythm.
It would take time, but she was happy to leave them out there for now as she went to join her aunt.
Isabel was in the parlor, sipping her tea and cramming a chocolate square into her mouth before hiding the wrapper beneath her saucer. Right as Edwina walked in, she swallowed, winced, and smiled tightly at her.
“Dearest niece! Come, come. I hope you do not mind me starting my tea ahead of your arrival. You know how I abhor cold beverages. They do very little for one’s poor, dry throat. Hot tea is much more soothing.”
Edwina had no idea what her aunt was speaking about, but she filed the hint away for when she might need a particular remedy for a sore throat. She crossed the room to join her aunt and sat down, embracing her.
She picked up the teacup that had been prepared for her.
“There were some chocolates, too, but that blight of a fool I call my nephew must have eaten them.”
