Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

Miles remained in a crouched position in the woodlands, hidden by the thick foliage and trees. He was flanked by Edwina on one side and Bennett on the other, their eyes fixed on the quaint cottage. Lord Dallington's coach sat idly in front of it, as if it had always belonged.

The three of them had been waiting for what seemed like hours, but Miles could see that Bennett was growing rather restless.

"What could my father possibly be doing in there?" Bennett grumbled.

Miles smirked. "I have an idea."

Bennett scowled, clearly not amused. "That is a terrible thing to suggest."

"I was only suggesting that they might be engaged in a game of chess," Miles responded innocently. "What did you think I was implying?"

Casting his eyes skyward, Bennett let out a deep sigh. "You are an idiot," he muttered.

Edwina chimed in with a mischievous grin. "We could always practice bird calls to pass the time."

"I would rather not," Bennett said .

"Then what would you suggest we do to pass the time?" Edwina asked.

Bennett's gaze returned to the cottage, his expression grave once more. "I do not know how you two can make light of this situation."

Miles placed a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. "We are trying to distract you from the truth."

"It isn't working," Bennett admitted. "This is going to devastate my mother. My whole family, in fact. I never thought that my father would betray my mother."

As Bennett uttered his last word, Lord Dallington emerged from the cottage and the same tall woman stood in the doorway with her young son at her side. He kissed the woman on her cheek and ruffled the boy's hair affectionally before turning to enter the awaiting coach.

As the coach made its way down the road towards the village, Bennett jumped up from his crouched position. "I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes."

"I know, which is why we brought you here," Miles said.

"My father is a blackguard," Bennett declared. "How could he do this to us?"

Miles struggled to find words of reassurance but thankfully Edwina spoke up. "Uncle is not the man that I thought he was."

"No, you were right about my father," Bennett remarked. "I didn't want it to be true."

Edwina approached her cousin and wrapped her arms around his waist. "It will be all right," she said in a vain attempt to reassure him.

"How?" Bennett asked. "My father is hated by the villagers and now he has a whole other family."

"You can fix this," Edwina said, taking a step back. "I know you, and I know what you are capable of."

"I don't think I am capable of keeping our family together once the truth is revealed," Bennett admitted .

Edwina smiled at Bennett. "You will find a way."

Bennett sighed. "I think I preferred you when you were moping around the manor," he said lightly. "You are far too optimistic now."

"I am starting to see things differently now," Edwina remarked as she glanced over at Miles. "It took a friend to help me realize what is truly important."

Miles held her gaze. "You would have figured it out on your own soon enough."

"You give me far too much credit," Edwina said.

Bennett cleared his throat. "Can we discuss the matter at hand?" he asked. "I am of half a mind to go speak to the woman in the cottage."

"That is a terrible idea," Miles stated. "Then Lord Dallington will know you have discovered his secret."

"Well, what am I to do?" Bennett asked as his shoulders slumped slightly. "Do I dare confront my father or continue on as if nothing is amiss?"

Miles knew that holding on to a secret such as this would gnaw at his friend until it began to rob him of his joy. "No, that wouldn't be fair to you or your family."

Edwina bobbed her head. "Lord Hilgrove is right. Your family has a right to know the truth."

"But what is the truth?" Bennett asked. "We know nothing about that woman or her son. What if it was all perfectly innocent?"

Miles could see the turmoil in Bennett's eyes as he struggled to come to terms with what he had just witnessed. But pretending everything was well would not benefit anyone, especially his friend. "Is that what you think in your heart?" he asked gently, knowing that this question was difficult for Bennett to answer truthfully.

Bennett let out a sigh. "No," he responded.

"We can help you," Edwina reassured him.

With a pained look on his face, Bennett responded, "No one can help me. This is something that I need to do on my own." He paused. "But it makes me wonder what else my father is hiding from me. From us."

Bennett continued. "I cannot imagine the enormous pressure that my father has endured since taking over his title, but that doesn't excuse his behavior."

"No, it doesn't," Miles agreed.

"It is time that I take a more active role in the estate," Bennett remarked firmly. "My father has brushed me aside for far too long."

Edwina's eyes held approval. "I believe in you. We believe in you." She turned towards Miles. "Don't we, my lord?"

Miles shrugged. "I am still on the fence," he joked.

Bennett walked over to where the horses were secured. "We should be heading back. I don't want Winston to start asking questions, questions that I do not want to answer."

"We could always go to the village and select some ribbon for Elodie and Melody," Edwina suggested.

"No, I do not want to risk having my father see us," Bennett said with a shake of his head.

Miles retrieved his horse and held the reins loosely in his hand. "For what it is worth, I am sorry."

Bennett offered him an appreciative smile. "You and Edwina tried to warn me. But I didn't believe you. Quite frankly, I didn't want to believe you. Now I am forced to question everything."

"Well, I am willing to help in any way that I can," Miles said.

Bennett grew pensive. "It is ironic, though. I brought you here so I could help you, and yet it seems that you ended up helping me in return."

Attempting to lighten the mood that had fallen over the group, Miles said, "I am a man of many talents, after all."

"No, that is most assuredly not true," Bennett responded in a serious tone. "But you are returning to the man that you once were."

Miles furrowed his brow. "Meaning?"

Bennett gave him a knowing look. "You are smiling again, Miles."

Miles glanced at Edwina, knowing she was the true reason that his smile had returned. But he didn't dare admit that. Not to her. Not to anybody. If he did, then they would see through him and know that he held deep affection for Edwina.

Edwina led her horse over to a fallen log and, in a swift motion, mounted her horse with expert precision.

"Bennett or I could have assisted you," Miles pointed out.

"I know, but I prefer to do it on my own," Edwina responded.

Miles approached her horse and placed a hand on its neck. "You don't have to do everything on your own. Not anymore. I am here."

"But you will be going away, my lord," she said. A flicker of sadness crossed Edwina's green eyes before she blinked it away. Or did he just imagine that?

His lips twitched into a small smile. "Not for a while, my lady. There is something I must do first."

"Which is?"

Miles held her gaze firmly as he replied, "Convince a very stubborn young woman to marry me."

Her expression remained inscrutable, giving nothing away. "I wish you luck with that."

Taking a step back, Miles responded confidently, "I just have to show you that you cannot live without me."

"And, pray tell, how do you intend to do that?" Edwina asked.

Miles decided to do the last thing that she would expect him to do. He puckered his lips and let out a soft whistle.

With a line between her brow, Edwina asked, "Did you just attempt to whistle? "

"I did, albeit weakly," he admitted proudly. "I have been practicing in my bedchamber with my valet."

Edwina's eyes lit up. "Did you do that just for me?"

"Perhaps. Did it impress you?"

"Yes, very much so," Edwina replied.

Miles puffed out his chest. "Then I did it for you."

Edwina laughed, and the noise seemed to dance through the woodlands. "I may have underestimated you."

Bennett's voice came from behind them. "That was not a whistle. He just blew air through his lips."

"I heard a faint whistle," Edwina argued.

"I daresay you were hearing things," Bennett remarked as he mounted his horse. "Come along. We can race home."

A smug smile came to Edwina's face. "It is hardly fair. You always lose."

After Miles sat atop his horse, they exited the woodlands and headed down the path towards the manor.

"I'll see you two back at the manor," Edwina said before she kicked her horse into a run.

Miles was about to do the same when Bennett's voice stopped him. "Edwina is the happiest I have seen her in a long time."

"Is that so?" Miles asked.

"Yes, and I suspect it has to do with you," Bennett said with a pointed look. "You two have managed to help each other in ways that no one else could."

Miles kept his gaze straight ahead as he admitted, "I want to marry her."

"Do you love her?"

He winced at the question, his heart aching with conflict. "I love Arabella."

"There is no shame in moving on and opening your heart to another," Bennett said. "It is what makes us human."

Miles tightened the reins in his hand, feeling trapped by his own emotions. "I care for Edwina. Is that not enough? "

"No, she deserves more, and so do you," Bennett replied, his voice firm but understanding.

With a glance at Bennett, Miles said, "Thank you for not telling your father about the compromising position you found Edwina and me in."

"I didn't think it was prudent to do so, considering I know you are trying to do the honorable thing," Bennett responded.

"I am."

"But, perhaps, doing the honorable thing is letting my cousin go, if you can't love her," Bennett remarked.

Miles was taken aback at his friend's remark. "I thought you would challenge me to a duel if I didn't marry Edwina."

Bennett grew quiet for a long moment before responding. "Above all else, I want my cousin to be happy. And if she doesn't believe that you will bring her happiness, then I shall respect her decision."

As Miles mulled over Bennett's words, his friend kicked his horse into a run, leaving him with his conflicted thoughts. He wanted to be the one to make Edwina smile. But he couldn't give her the one thing that she wanted. He should let her go, but a part of him didn't want to. He wanted to fight for her. Because maybe, just maybe, he could come to love her.

But a wave of guilt washed over him at that thought. Could he forget Arabella so easily? No. It might be for the best if he let Edwina go so she could find someone who could give her everything she desired and more.

Edwina peeked out of her bedchamber door and down the corridor. She was waiting for Miles to make an appearance so they could walk down to dinner together.

Empty.

Just as it had been the last ten times that she had checked. She closed the door and rested her back against the wall. Why was she so eager to spend time with Miles? But she already knew that answer. She loved him. He lifted her spirits and made her happy.

She knew that Miles would leave soon and they would both go their own ways. But she didn't want to waste one moment with him.

A knock came at the door.

Excitement coursed through her at the thought it might be Miles on the other side of the door. Edwina quickly smoothed back her hair and brought a smile to her face, as if it had been there all day.

She opened the door and saw Bennett. Her smile dimmed. "Oh, it is just you," she muttered.

Bennett grinned. "Were you expecting someone else?"

"No," she lied.

"You are a terrible liar, Cousin," Bennett said. "May I come in?"

Edwina took a step back. "Please do," she encouraged.

Bennett stepped into the bedchamber and closed the door behind him. "I think it is best if this conversation stays between us."

"As you wish," Edwina said, her curiosity piqued.

All humor left Bennett's face as he shared, "I read your father's will and confirmed that he left you ten thousand pounds. I'm sorry that I doubted you."

"I understand why you did," Edwina said.

"I didn't want it to be true," Bennett sighed.

Edwina placed a hand on his sleeve. "I'm sorry," she murmured, knowing her words were wholly inadequate at this moment.

Bennett's eyes looked tired as he said, "I will speak to my father at once and try to get this all sorted out."

An idea came to Edwina. "What if I spoke to Mr. Stanley first?" she asked .

"Why would you speak to my father's man of business?"

"I have known Mr. Stanley most of my life and he has always been kind to me," Edwina shared. "He might be able to give us some insight on your father's reasonings."

Bennett's next words hung heavy with regret. "I'm afraid I can't go with you tomorrow. I had planned to go angling with Winston."

"I can go with Lord Hilgrove," she said. She wanted to spend time with Miles but tried to hide her eagerness from Bennett.

Her cousin's brow furrowed in thought as he considered her suggestion. After a long moment, he spoke again. "I am not sure if that is wise."

"Whyever not?"

Bennett's expression grew even more concerned as he explained, "Miles is fighting a battle within himself right now."

With a knowing look, Edwina asked, "Aren't we all?"

"Yes, but I don't know what the outcome will be," Bennett replied. "However, I don't want you to give up on him. Not yet."

Unsure of his meaning, Edwina asked, "Whatever do you mean?"

A cocky grin came to Bennett's lips. "Why did you think I invited Miles to Brockhall Manor?" he asked. "I had a feeling the two of you could help each other through your struggles. Perhaps even find love along the way."

"You orchestrated this?"

"I did, and I am still hopeful," Bennett replied.

Edwina arched an eyebrow. "Now who is the optimistic one?" she teased.

Bennett chuckled. "I just want you to be happy, Cousin. No matter what path you choose. But I will say that Miles has been good for you."

"He has," she agreed. "He is a good man. "

"Yes, he is."

The dinner bell chimed in the distance, beckoning them to come.

Glancing towards the door, Bennett asked, "Shall we take another look to see if Miles is approaching?"

Embarrassment washed over her and she responded with a slight wince, "You saw that?"

"I did indeed, but I find it rather encouraging."

Edwina went to open the door. "Why don't we just walk down together?"

"All right."

As they started walking down the corridor, Edwina remarked, "I haven't seen a lot of Winston."

"That is because he has been hiding away in his bedchamber working on a case that he has coming up," Bennett shared. "I was surprised when he agreed to go angling with me."

"He works too hard," Edwina said.

"Winston always has and he always will," Bennett remarked. "It is as if he is competing against himself."

As they descended the stairs, Edwina caught sight of Miles in the entry hall, causing her breath to hitch. He was finely dressed, and his dark hair was brushed forward. He was handsome, there was no denying that, but she had seen his heart. And it was kind. Loving. He was a man that she could spend forever with.

But he didn't love her.

That realization hit her and she grew somber.

Bennett glanced over at her. "Is everything all right?" he asked.

She mustered up a smile. "It is," she replied. "I was just thinking about… my book. Yes, I love reading. It is so much fun."

An amused look came to Bennett's face. "You really are a terrible liar. It is almost painful to witness," he joked .

As they stepped onto the last step, Miles strode forward and greeted her. "Good evening, my lady. You are looking lovely."

"Thank you," Edwina said.

Bennett spoke up, addressing Miles. "Are you sure you don't want to go angling with me and Winston tomorrow?"

"I am sure," Miles replied.

In a hushed voice, Edwina asked, "Would you be willing to escort me to the village so we can speak to Mr. Stanley?"

Miles smiled. "It would be my honor to do so."

Edwina found herself returning his smile. "Thank you, my lord."

Her words had just left her mouth when her aunt stepped out of the drawing room. "Shall we adjourn to the dining room?"

Miles offered his arm to Edwina. "May I escort you?"

She accepted his arm and they began to make their way to the dining room. She snuck a quick glance at him and wondered why he couldn't love her. But she stopped herself. This had nothing to do with her, and everything to do with him. His heart had been claimed long ago, and it was up to him to decide how to proceed.

Miles' voice broke through her musings. "I have been working on my whistling. I can now emit a sound loud enough that everyone knows it is a whistle."

"I'm impressed," she said.

"I thought that might please you."

They stepped into the dining room and Miles pulled out a chair for her. Then he claimed the seat next to her.

Winston sat across from her, as did Bennett, and her aunt and uncle sat at the ends of the table. The footmen promptly came around and started placing bowls of soup in front of them.

Edwina reached for her soup and started eating. No one seemed to be in a talkative mood and a silence engulfed the table.

Her aunt glanced at the long clock in the corner. "I wonder what is taking the girls so long to arrive," she said.

"The roads might have been such that they might have stopped at a coaching inn for the evening," her uncle remarked. "There is no need to worry."

"I am a mother. Worrying comes with the title," her aunt said.

Her uncle gave his wife an understanding look. "I sent my best team to bring our girls home. Do try to enjoy dinner."

"I will try," her aunt murmured as she took a bite of her soup.

With a chuckle, her uncle asked, "You are still worrying, aren't you?"

"I am," her aunt replied.

Her uncle turned towards White. "Will you send out two riders to look for Lady Elodie and Lady Melody?"

"Yes, my lord," the butler replied with a tip of his head.

Bennett interrupted, "I could go look for them, as well."

"As could I," Miles offered.

Her uncle shook his head. "That won't be necessary."

"What if the coach has a broken wheel and they are on the side of the road, utterly helpless?" her aunt asked.

Winston chuckled. "Elodie… helpless? I think not," he said. "Most likely, she would have tried to replace the wheel herself."

The sound of a door slamming in the distance could be heard and it was followed by someone shouting, "Mother!"

Her aunt perked up in her seat. "They are home."

A moment later, a disheveled looking Elodie and Melody stepped into the dining room. Their blonde hair had escaped their chignons, dirt coated their gowns and Elodie even had dirt splattered on her face.

"What happened to you?" Edwina's aunt asked, rising .

Elodie blew out a puff of air. "I had to drive the coach when our driver grew ill."

" You did what?! " her father exclaimed.

With a slight shrug of her shoulder, Elodie responded, "It was either that or walk to the nearest village for help."

Melody clasped her hands in front of her. "I thought it was rather brave of Elodie," she declared.

Bennett rose from his chair and addressed Elodie. "How did you even know how to drive a coach?"

"It was difficult at first, but I got the hang of it." Elodie turned to one of the footmen. "Will you fetch the doctor for Alfred? I worry that he is more ill than he was letting on."

Edwina's uncle tossed his napkin onto the table. "A lady does not drive a coach, under any circumstances," he shouted.

"Well, this lady didn't want to walk miles to the next village," Elodie responded.

Melody nodded. "It really was our best option, Father."

"No, your best option was to wait in the coach until help arrived," their father countered.

Elodie reached up and removed a leaf from her hair. "I am not some helpless female," she stated. "Besides, I have always wanted to drive the coach and I succeeded. No one died."

Edwina's aunt approached her daughters and said, "What's done is done. Why don't you two go take a long soak and I will send dinner up to your bedchambers?"

Melody sighed. "That sounds delightful."

Elodie looked longingly at the table. "I do want a long soak but I am famished." She walked over to the table and retrieved a piece of bread. "This should hold me over until I have dinner."

"Allow me to escort you to your bedchambers," Lady Dallington said before leading them out of the dining room.

Edwina's uncle huffed. "What am I going to do with Elodie? "

Winston grinned. "I think she is fine the way she is."

"She acts more like a hoyden than a lady," her uncle remarked. "I wonder what bad habits she learned at that boarding school."

"Melody went to the same boarding school and she doesn't appear to have picked up any bad habits," Bennett stated.

Edwina's uncle waved his hand in front of him. "Yes, but Melody has always been much more reserved than her sister."

Edwina knew that no truer statement had ever been said. Elodie and Melody may look very much like one another, but that was where the similarities stopped. Elodie was outspoken, loud and opinionated, whereas Melody was more of an observer and tended to just follow her sister's lead.

Shoving back his seat, her uncle said, "Pardon me, but I have work that I need to see to. Will you inform Mother of this?"

Bennett nodded. "I will."

After her uncle departed from the dining room, Winston said, "I must admit that I am rather nervous about Elodie attending her first Season."

"You and me both," Bennett muttered. "I could see her challenging a gentleman to a duel for the slightest offense."

"What is worse is that she would probably win," Winston retorted.

Edwina laughed, knowing her cousins' words held some truth to them.

Bennett leaned to the side as a footman collected his soup bowl. "Regardless, we have our work cut out for us."

"Yes, we do," Winston agreed.

As the footmen brought out the next course, Edwina was happy to have Elodie and Melody home. She had always been close to them and she looked forward to learning more about the circumstances surrounding Elodie driving a coach.