Page 46 of The Sea Siren of Broadwater Bottom
Elissa slid her arm around him and began stroking his back. After a moment she felt his muscles relax.
“Whatever it is, you can tell me,” she said.
His head lolled to the side as she began to work a knot where his shoulder met his neck. “I wouldn’t want to burden you—”
“You wouldn’t be burdening me.”
“I don’t know—”
“Ed-ward,” she said, drawing his name out.
“Fine,” he grumbled. “I probably need to tell you anyway, if we’re going to—” He cleared his throat. “It’s about that contest. The one we’re both participating in. At Oxford.”
“Oh?” She felt her heartbeat ratchet up a notch, because of course, the contest was the root of her anxiety, too. “What about it?”
“It’s just—I have to win it, Elissa. Ihaveto. And I’m…” He trailed off.
Now her heart was all but flying. What did he mean,hehad to win it?Shewas the one who had to win it. “Is there a particular reason why?”
“There is.” He held her eyes. “I trust you will keep this in confidence.”
“Of course.”
“Harrington made a wager that I would win the contest. For fifteen thousand pounds.”
Suddenly the folly was spinning, and Elissa had to clutch Edward’s arm to stop herself from falling off the bench.Fifteen thousand pounds?That was more money than her father would earn in a lifetime. “Gracious, Edward! What are you going to do?”
“Win,” he said grimly.
“It’s a crippling sum.”
“The money isn’t even the worst of it. I mean”—he acknowledged her shocked expression with a nod—“it’sa lotof money. It would be a hardship to pay it out. Not for me,” he hastened to add. “I’ve got enough… boots and what not. But for our tenants. I have improvements planned for the cottages and fields. If we have to pay out fifteen thousand pounds, all that will have to wait.”
She gave a nervous laugh. “What could be worse than that?”
He stared off into the shadows of the folly. “Harrington has this ridiculous idea that father disapproves of him.” He shook his head. “I’ve never understood why he thinks this. He’s the one that everyone loves.”
Elissa frowned. “What do you mean,the one?”
Edward seemed not to have heard her. “But if I lose, Father will discover Harrington’s imprudent wager. There will be no hiding such an amount. And…” He swallowed. “And Father has threatened to send Harrington to India if he causes one more scandal.”
“India!” Elissa exclaimed. “Would your father really do it?”
“I believe he would. And Harrington is prone to attacks of asthma. The climate there is exceptionally unforgiving for those who are unused to it. With Harrington’s weak lungs…” He looked down. “My brother would not survive it. I am sure of it.”
“You’re doing it for your brother.” Even though she suspected he would rather not enter.
“Of course.” He looked up, surprised. “I would do anything for Harrington, or for any of my siblings.”
He said it as if it were nothing, but Elissa knew better. Such selflessness was rarer and more precious than rubies.
“So Ihaveto win the contest,” he said. “But—” He cut himself off, turning to stare across the folly.
She squeezed his hands. “It’s a lot of pressure to put on yourself.”
He squeezed his eyes shut. “It is a lot of pressure. And—”
“And?” she whispered.
