Lady Be Reckless (Duke's Daughters #2)(69)

He’d almost gone to Olivia at least a dozen times that day, but he’d said a few cutting things, and she’d just left—he didn’t know what else she might have to say. He would find out, eventually, but at the moment he needed to calm himself down before he approached her.

She and Bennett were seated together at the far end of the table, and he couldn’t avoid hearing the very pointed comments the duchess was making.

“You two look so wonderful together. Almost as though you were a married couple!”

Things like that.

He’d seen the pained expressions on everybody else’s faces, including Bennett’s and Olivia’s, to indicate they too were having an excruciating experience. So at least there was camaraderie in their misery.

“Mother,” Lady Ida said in a reproving voice. “Olivia and Lord Carson are friends.” And then she’d looked over at him and he could have sworn she winked.

It must have been a trick of the light.

“Such dear friends, yes,” the duchess said in a pleased voice. Missing Lady Ida’s point entirely.

“Mr. Beechcroft, I was wondering if you would allow me to go for a ride tomorrow?” Lady Pearl said in a hurried tone, clearly trying to steer the conversation in another direction. “I have not had much opportunity for exercise, and I believe it will be a lovely day.”

Mr. Beechcroft nodded at Edward. “You’ll have to ask my son, he is the horse expert in the family. I like them for my carriages, but I gave up riding long ago.”

“Of course, Lady Pearl,” Edward said. “I would be happy to.”

He caught Olivia looking at him, and his chest tightened. He would have to find a chance to speak with her sooner rather than later. He might not like what she would have to say, but he needed to hear her say it.

There was no opportunity that evening, however, which was why Edward found himself in his bedroom, alone except for Scamp, the kitten who’d taken to him, hiding out in his bedroom during the day and sleeping with him at night.

“What do you think, Scamp?” Edward said, leaning back on his bed and allowing the kitten to jump onto his chest. “When should I speak with her? They’ll only be here for another week or so.” The thought of spending more days in the same house with her without knowing how she felt, or what she felt, was an agonizing thought.

Scamp, however, had no reply.

Instead, the kitten began to knead Edward’s chest, tiny claws going through the fabric of his banyan.

He was chuckling when he heard the knock on the door.

It was after ten o’clock—everyone should be in bed by now. So of course it had to be her.

He removed Scamp from his chest, placing the kitten on the bed and swinging his legs over to the ground, striding to the door in a few quick steps.

“Hello,” she said as he opened the door.

He took her arm to bring her inside, shutting the door softly behind her. She wore a night rail and a robe, her bare feet peeking out from under the bottom edge, and her hair was undone.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, tucking the edges of his banyan together. He was nude underneath the robe. “Not that I’m not pleased to see you,” he added hastily.

“Are you?” she asked, sounding hesitant. So unlike the usual Olivia he froze for a moment.

“I am. I think.” And he paused, sweeping his hair off his face in an effort to gather his thoughts. “I think we should sit down.” Of course the only place for both of them to sit was on his bed.

“Yes, we should,” she replied, walking over to get onto the covers. Apparently not hesitant at all when it came to that.

“I wanted to say something,” he said, but she reached forward and put her hand to his mouth.

Her fingers were warm.

Scamp brushed past him to leap onto the floor and tuck into his slipper, gnawing on the edge.

“I have something to say first.” She licked her lips and took a deep breath. “I wanted to say that what I said yesterday was all wrong.” She shook her head, and several strands of hair fell forward. He resisted the urge to smooth them back. If he touched her, he didn’t know what might happen. Or he did, and he didn’t know if that was what should happen. He needed to wait for her to talk, for them to have a conversation, before either one of them did anything they would regret.

“What would you have said if you could say it all over again?” he asked.

She raised her chin and looked directly into his face. The candlelight caught the gold glints in her eyes and the curve of her lips.

“I should have started out with the most important thing.” She hesitated, and he caught his breath, wondering what she was about to say.

“Which is—?” he prompted.

“Which is I love you.” He opened his mouth in shock as she continued speaking. “And I know you don’t love me, and I know that you might believe that I am lowering myself to want to be with you, but if anything, I want to rise to your level.” She swallowed, and Edward’s throat tightened. She loved him? And she thought he didn’t love her?

“I admire your resilience and your determination to be in this world on your terms, not to cow to anyone because of your birth.” Her eyes sparkled with the force of her emotions. “You know who you are, you know what you can do, and you don’t let anyone stop you. Not Society, not people like my parents.” A pause. “Not me.”