Page 84 of Shining Knight
Eugenia did not recall, though she had rarely seen the viscount. He preferred to keep his own company– so much so that she knew Graham’s mother and sister spent a great deal of time in France. She walked over to look out of the window at the dusky sky.
“He asked after you, you know.” Edmund voiced the words she did not dare to ask. “I am surprised at you, Genie,” Edmund went on, and she turned back with surprise. “How could you treat him so after he saved you from ruin?”
“What did he tell you?”
“Only that you asked for some time apart.” Edmund shook his head. “I made it clear that he was welcome to visit the rest of the family. I hope you come to your senses before he does pay a call.”
Eugenia gasped. Edmund had never spoken to her thus before. “You do not understand.” Her voice cracked. “I was trying to do what is best for him!”
“I think you are the one who is confused here, Sister. He was in the village, trying to think of things to buy for you—of ways to woo you, whilst respecting your wishes.”
Edmund rarely reprimanded her and she felt as low as the dirt beneath her boots. Tears streamed down her face at those words. “What have I done?”
Edmund took pity on her and put a gentle hand on her back and began to soothe her with up and down motions. “Can he truly forgive me so easily?” If what Edmund had said was true, Grahamwasthinking of her at a time like this.
“I have no reason to doubt otherwise,” he said kindly.
“I do not deserve him.” She turned to put her face against her brother’s shoulder, feeling as though she had been kicked in the stomach, although that would feel better than the agony coursing through her at the moment. “Why is it that my best intentions always cause trouble? I either say or do the wrong thing or, now, hurt the one I love?”
“It is not too late to make things right, Genie,” Edmund said, in his way of suggestion mixed with command.
She backed away and nodded, then turned and left the room, wanting to bear her shame in private. Had she truly hurt Graham—the person she loved the most in this world?
She took Cleo’s reins and began walking back to the manor house. How had she been so cruel? Eugenia had not known his father was dying. Now Christmas was also fast approaching. She could only hope she had not damaged their relationship beyond repair.
When she arrived back at the house, Barnes handed her a small box which had a bunch of posies, tied with a ribbon, on top. She immediately burst into tears.
“My lady?” Barnes enquired.
She shook her head, unable to speak, and hurried up the marble staircase to her chambers.
Eugenia could not ever remember feeling so much pain, except when her parents had died. Graham was not dead, however, and the weight of the shame she felt was unbearable.
She slipped the bow loose on the ribbon and released the posies. She lifted the lid from the box and looked inside at her favorite Maidenstone biscuits from the village baker, in the shape of hearts. How had he remembered such a thing? She fingered one delicately, though was too upset to eat. She did not deserve them, but her eyes were certainly opened.
She placed the lid back on the box, and a small note slipped to the floor.
Genie,
Even with time apart, you are always in my heart.
Ever yours,
Graham
Eugenia threw herself across her bed and sobbed miserably.
*
Graham entered hishouse, relieved finally to be able to visit The Grange, even if it was not with Eugenia specifically. She would come to the right conclusion eventually, he was sure of it. He hoped she enjoyed her favorite almond and rosewater biscuits and the posies he had had delivered for her. It made him smile to think of her opening it. He hoped she had as much joy from receiving the gift as he had had from sending it to her.
Davies opened the door for him. “Good evening, Master Graham.”
“Have my mother and sister arrived yet?”
“They have not.”
“Then I shall be dining at The Grange this evening. Has the doctor been to see my father this afternoon?”
