Page 31 of An Earl's Scandalous Return
What does one say in such a situation?
He wished then that he’d not slept in the carriage and had a bit of time for a morning toilette. “Excuse me, Miss.”
The young woman turned around, and he was faced with her bright green eyes. Even if they were different from Arabella’s, the green was the same that could be found in Arabella’s own changeable eyes.
“Yes?” she asked, a little warily, holding her bag in front of her.
“My name is Edward. I know this may sound rather strange to you, but you look so like another young woman I know, someone very dear to me, that I wonder if you might be related.”
A little line appeared between her brows as she stared back at him in confusion. It was just the same as Arabella’s, and Edward was confident he had found her. But he also had the impression that he was standing before a fawn in the woods, trying to do his best not to scare them away.
“You must have me confused with someone else, sir. I have no siblings or any other family my age.”
She turned away from him then and began to leave the market. Edward cursed under his breath, and then he waved to Sampson.
“What is it?” Sampson asked.
“Return to the inn. Bring Mrs Sheffield. Tell her there is her near twin here, and I think we have found who we’ve been looking for.”
“Very good, sir.” Sampson hurried off, and then it was Edward’s chance to hurry.
“Please,” he replied, running up to her and then pausing a safe distance away. “I only ask that you wait a moment so that I can bring this lady to you. Here.”
He turned to see a small stone church just on the market’s outskirts.
“Perhaps you will feel safe to wait here? It will only be a few moments. We are staying at the inn, she and I. I know it sounds mad, but I promise it will make sense soon enough once you hear what this young lady has to say.”
The young woman swallowed and nodded. “Very well. I shall wait in the church.”
Edward smiled with relief. Soon, everything was going to be solved; they were going to find Gregory, and Arabella would be at peace.
And I will return home to my own life.
***
The young woman had never spoken to a toff before. She could tell he was a toff by his fine clothing and the way his accent was smooth like porcelain. She had been taught by her father never to trust people entirely, and so when he’d approached her out of nowhere, making odd statements, she knew that he was likely trying to do something dangerous.
So I will humour him and go to the church. But I will run away at the first opportunity. He does not know the church like I do.
He was rather handsome, though, and she thought he didn’t seem very bad, but her father had taught her this as well.It’s the handsome ones you really must take care of, love. For they could be the worst. You never see them coming.
“Thank you. She will be here soon.” The man named Edward held a hand towards the church, and with her basket tightly gripped in both hands, she walked on.
Her heart was pounding, and her head felt strange, but it would all be over soon, and she could return to the market to do her tasks before going home. As she took a few steps, she turned back to look at the man, and he had turned around, no doubt seeking out the carriage to return that he’d sent away.
This is my chance.
Putting the basket handle in one hand, she used her other to take hold of her apron and heavy skirts, and she began to rush off before the man called out to her.
“Wait!” he cried. “I beg you! Do not run—for have you ever felt like you didn’t belong in the life you’ve been living?”
After hearing that, the woman stopped, her one hand letting the skirts down to cover her legs again. Slowly, she turned around and stared at him. He looked a little worse for wear, this Edward, and he was breathing harder, having chased her a little. His eyes were true, though, and he was watching her with eagerness.
“Please, can you answer me that?” he asked again.
To her surprise, she felt that somehow this was right. She had come to the market at that later time for a reason, for while no one had ever asked her that question before, she knew the answer right away.
Yes.
