Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

Miles held the smoking pistol in his hand as Mr. Stanley dropped the ledger and his weapon before reaching for his wounded shoulder.

"You shot me!" Mr. Stanley shouted, his voice laced with pain.

Miles lowered his pistol to his side. "You left me with little choice in the matter," he said. "I could not let you burn the ledger."

Coming out from behind Miles, Edwina hurried over and retrieved the ledger. "I will be sure to give this to my uncle."

Mr. Stanley narrowed his eyes at her. "You ruined everything, you stupid chit."

A pained look came to Edwina's face as she met Mr. Stanley's steely gaze. "I don't know what happened to you. It is as if you are a different person now."

Bennett stepped forward and picked up Mr. Stanley's pistol. "That is what greed does to people."

Mr. Stanley scoffed. "And what do you know of greed, my lord?" he mocked. "You have wanted for nothing your entire life. I have had to scrimp and save just to survive."

As Bennett went to reply, the butler ran into the room with four footmen behind him. His eyes roamed over the room in a panic until they landed on Mr. Stanley.

"We heard a gunshot," the butler said, bringing his gaze to Bennett.

Bennett kept his pistol trained on Mr. Stanley. "Send for the constable and the doctor at once," he ordered.

"Shall I retrieve Lord Dallington?" the butler asked.

"There is no need," Bennett replied. "Let him enjoy the soiree. I do not want to give the impression that anything is amiss." He lowered his pistol to the side. "Do you suppose any of the guests heard the pistol discharging?"

"It does not appear so, my lord," the butler said. "I do believe the music muffled the noise enough so as not to raise any questions."

Bennett nodded approvingly. "Good, now get him out of my sight."

The butler tipped his head before turning to the footmen. "Take Mr. Stanley to the servants' quarters and stand guard until the constable arrives."

After Mr. Stanley was forcefully removed from the study, Miles turned to face Edwina, his mind whirling with the fact that he had saved her from a certain death. He had come so close to losing her, and he had never felt such panic before.

Edwina's eyes held uncertainty as she said, "Thank you for coming when you did. You saved me… again."

If he were a smart man, he would just acknowledge her words and be done with it. But he couldn't seem to quiet the alarming thoughts in his head.

"What were you thinking?" Miles asked, his words coming out harsh. Too harsh. "You could have been killed!"

Edwina lowered her gaze. "I saw a light coming from the study and I went to investigate. When I saw Mr. Stanley in here, I didn't think he would hurt me."

"Well, you were wrong," Miles stated. "If it wasn't for me and Bennett, you could have…" He couldn't finish his sentence.

"I know, and I am sorry," Edwina said, her voice contrite.

Miles took a few deep breaths, attempting to calm his pounding heart. "You can't take these types of risks, Edwina. Do you not think of anyone but yourself?"

Bringing her gaze back up, Edwina's eyes held a fierceness to them and he knew he had gone too far. "If it weren't for me, we would never have discovered Mr. Stanley's deceit."

Miles took a step closer to her. "It may have taken more time, but the truth would have come out."

"And how many people would have suffered during that time?" Edwina demanded, her gaze challenging him.

"Do you not realize how close you came to dying?" Miles asked.

"I do, but…"

Miles spoke over her. "No ‘buts,' Edwina. Your actions were careless and foolish," he said, his words firm.

Edwina stared at him for a moment before her eyes started glimmering from unshed tears. Without saying another word, she ducked her head and fled from the room.

Miles watched her retreating figure, knowing he was a fool. He should have wrapped her up in his arms and never let her go.

Bennett cleared his throat. "That was poorly done on your part."

"I know," Miles said with a sigh.

"You should go after her," Bennett urged.

Miles huffed. "Yes, because this conversation went so well. I just came so close to losing her and it frightened me."

Bennett took a step closer to him. "Tell that to Edwina, not to me. She deserves to know the truth- all of it."

"And if she still rejects my offer?" Miles asked with a slight wince.

"Then at least you tried. "

Miles glanced towards the door. "I don't even know where she went."

"If I know my cousin, she is in the rear of the gardens, next to the birch tree. There is a bench there that she likes to sit on," Bennett said.

With a grateful look at his friend, Miles departed from the study and with purposeful strides hurried down the path that led to the birch tree.

When he arrived, he saw Edwina was sitting on the bench and she was wiping the tears that were falling down her cheeks.

Not wishing to startle her, Miles said in a gentle voice, "Edwina."

Edwina's eyes went wide at the sight of him before she turned away. "Go away, Miles," she said, her voice filled with pain and anger. "I wish to be alone."

"That is fair," Miles admitted, stepping closer. "But I have come to apologize, and I am hoping that you will hear me out."

With her back still turned to him, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I look a fright."

"To me, you have never looked more beautiful," Miles responded.

Edwina hesitantly turned towards him, her cheeks stained from tears. "Now I know you are lying to me. I just feel awful for what happened…"

Miles put his hand up, stilling her words. "You did nothing wrong, but I did. I was so afraid that I almost lost you that I took out my anger on you."

"I should never have gone into that study," Edwina said.

"If you hadn't, the truth wouldn't have been revealed," Miles remarked. "No one suspected Mr. Stanley was stealing from your uncle."

Edwina's eyes grew sad. "Mr. Stanley was always so kind to me. I never thought he would try to kill me," she said .

"Why would you? You have the kindest heart and I do not think you see the bad in anyone," Miles remarked.

"Perhaps I should start."

"No, do not let Mr. Stanley change the way you are," Miles insisted. "For you are perfect, just the way you are."

Edwina pressed her lips together. "I think not."

Knowing there was much that needed to be said between them, Miles gestured towards the bench. "May I join you?" he asked.

With a nod, Edwina granted her permission.

Once he was situated on the bench, he said, "I was wrong, Edwina."

Edwina gave him a baffled look. "About what?"

Miles met her gaze. "About everything," he replied. "When I lost Arabella, I thought my life was over. And then when John died…" He stopped. "Despite going through the motions, I was empty inside. Devoid of any hope. But everything changed when I met you."

"You helped me as well," Edwina said.

"You did more than just help me," Miles stated. "You brought my heart back to life."

Edwina gave him a weak smile. "You deserve to be happy, Miles. No matter where life takes you."

"But I finally know where I belong. For all my life, I have been making my way to you," Miles said. "I have tried to fight it, repeatedly, but I have fallen madly, irrevocably in love with you."

Emotions flickered across Edwina's face as she stared back at him. "But what about Arabella?"

"A part of me will always love Arabella, but my heart, my whole heart, will belong to you," Miles replied.

"I don't know what to say…"

"You don't have to say anything."

"… other than I love you, too," Edwina said.

Miles' brow shot up. "You love me?" he asked .

Edwina leaned forward and placed her hand over his heart. "I do," she replied. "You are engraved upon my heart."

Reaching up, Miles placed his hand over hers. "Marry me, and neither one of us will ever have to be alone again."

"Is that a proper proposal?" Edwina asked with a mischievous look in her eyes.

Keeping hold of her hand, Miles moved to a kneeling position on the moss-coated ground. "Lady Edwina Lockwood, would you do me the grand honor of marrying me?"

Edwina's lips twitched. "I have one condition."

"You can have anything you desire if you just say yes," Miles insisted.

"But you haven't heard what I want yet."

Miles grinned. "It doesn't matter, I will agree to it."

She returned his smile. "All I ask of you is to marry me at the chapel here at Brockhall Manor. It is where my father married my mother."

"I would have it no other way, my love."

Her smile grew, brightening her whole face. "Then, yes, I will marry you."

Returning to his seat on the bench, Miles cupped her right cheek and said, "I can't believe you finally agreed to marry me."

"All I wanted was your heart, Miles."

"And you have it."

"As you have mine," Edwina said.

Miles moved closer to her. "I promise from this day forward that you will always be mine , and I will always be yours . We will never be apart."

Edwina leaned closer to him. "Do you truly promise?"

"Yes, wholeheartedly," he replied, feeling her warm breath on his lips. "May I kiss you now?"

"I thought you would never ask…"

Her words had barely left her lips before he kissed her. In that precious moment, the world seemed to fade away as he lost himself in the intoxicating sweetness of Edwina's embrace. And in the kiss, he felt a silent affirmation of a love that would know no bounds. He experienced a love that would endure through every trial and triumph, guiding them through their journey together.

He broke the kiss but remained close. "Will you promise to always kiss me like that?"

"Why, did I do it right?" she asked.

A chuckle escaped his lips. "It was perfect, just as I expected it to be."

Edwina let out a relieved sigh. "Good, because I hope we can do that again, and often."

Miles pressed his lips to hers before saying, "I can assure you that I will never tire of kissing you. I daresay that it is my favorite thing to do now."

A clearing of a throat came from a short distance away.

Miles turned his head and saw Bennett, his arms crossed over his chest and an amused look on his expression.

"Are you two quite finished?" Bennett asked. "I merely ask because my mother wants to know if you two are ready to announce your engagement."

A line between Edwina's brow appeared. "How did she know we were getting engaged this evening?"

Bennett gave them a smug smile. "Why do you think my mother planned this lavish soiree?" he asked. "It was evident to everyone how deeply in love you two are- well, everyone except for Miles. It took him a bit longer to catch on than we anticipated."

Miles stood up and assisted Edwina to her feet. "It would appear that everyone has been conspiring against us," he said with a smile.

Edwina smiled back at him, her eyes sparkling with affection. "Indeed, but I have no complaints," she declared.

"Nor I," Miles responded. "This just means I can dance with you for more than one set. "

Leaning in close, Edwina pressed her lips against his.

Bennett let out a disapproving huff. "Do show some restraint, Cousin," he chided.

With an unapologetic look at Bennett, she boldly stated, "Miles is my fiancé and that means I can kiss him whenever I want."

"And you will hear no complaints from me, my dear," Miles remarked.

Bennett looked heavenward. "This is going to be a long three weeks," he muttered under his breath.

Edwina felt as though her heart would burst with happiness. She was engaged to be married to Miles, and she couldn't wipe the smile off her face since they had announced their engagement last night. She eagerly looked forward to building a life with him, one where they would never have to be apart.

Martha's voice broke through her musings. "Are you pleased with your hair, my lady?" she asked, taking a step back.

Edwina turned her head to admire the elegant coiffure in the mirror. "It is perfect," she declared.

"You are happy," Martha said. It wasn't so much a question as a statement.

"I am," Edwina admitted.

Martha nodded knowingly. "Good. You deserve every bit of it," she remarked. "You should depart if you wish to join your family for breakfast."

With a grateful look, Edwina rose from her seat and opened the door, only to be greeted by a pleasant surprise. Miles stood leaning against the wall with a single red rose in his hand. As soon as he caught sight of her, he straightened up and his eyes lit up with adoration.

Miles closed the distance between them and presented her with the single rose. "I saw this rose and it reminded me of you."

"Thank you," she said, accepting the rose. "That was most thoughtful of you."

He gazed at her intently. "I hope that whenever you gaze upon it, you will think of me."

Edwina leaned closer to him, feeling overwhelmed by his love. "That will not be difficult since you are always in my thoughts."

"As are you in mine," Miles whispered tenderly.

Their moment was interrupted by Winston's voice echoing down the corridor. "Perhaps it would be best if you just eloped to Gretna Green. I won't say anything if it will make this stop."

Miles chuckled, his eyes still fixed on her. "I just came to escort Edwina down to breakfast."

"It looks like you were about to engage in something else," Winston said. He softened his words with a smile.

Edwina turned towards her cousin. "We are engaged to be married," she pointed out. "In the eyes of the ton , we are practically married."

"Yes, but we are not in London and these displays of affection are growing rather tiresome," Winston remarked.

"We only got engaged last night," Edwina said.

Winston smirked. "Yet my statement still stands."

Miles extended his arm towards Edwina. "May I escort you down to the dining room?"

"Yes, but you must allow me to give the rose to my lady's maid so she can put it on the table by my bed," Edwina replied.

It was only a moment later that they made their way towards the main floor with a comfortable silence coming over them.

They arrived in the entry hall and White approached them. "Lord Dallington has requested your presence in his study," he announced. "All of you."

"I suppose breakfast can wait," Winston said. "I wonder what my father wishes to speak to us about at such an early hour."

It was only a few moments before they arrived at the study and Edwina saw Bennett and her uncle hunched over the desk, reviewing the ledger. Together.

Her uncle's head came up when they came closer to the desk. "Good, you are all here," he said. "Catherine should be down in just a moment."

As if on cue, her aunt stepped into the room. "I am here. You may start your apology."

Sitting back in his seat, her uncle shifted his gaze to Edwina. "Catherine is right. I do owe Edwina an apology, and it is long overdue."

Her uncle rose from his seat and came around his desk. He continued. "It is because of you that we learned of Mr. Stanley's treachery. Bennett told me what you did," he hesitated as he shifted his gaze to Miles, "what you both did. And it was nothing short of miraculous."

Edwina shifted in her stance, uncomfortable with the praise. "I didn't do much," she said.

Lifting his brow, her uncle remarked, "You saved this family from possible ruination. Your contribution cannot be understated."

"Thank you," Edwina murmured.

Her uncle sighed. "We have a problem though. Catherine told me that I have been doing a terrible job of being your guardian- and uncle. For that, I am truly, and utterly, sorry. But every time I gaze upon you, I see my brother inside of you and the grief washes over me. It is no excuse for my behavior, though." He closed his eyes, his voice betraying his emotions.

Edwina could hear the pain in his words and she knew he was in earnest. "I understand," she said.

Her uncle's eyes opened and they held a deep sorrow. "I promise that I will strive to be better with each passing day."

"I forgive you, Uncle. I just wish we could return to the easy relationship that we once had," Edwina remarked.

"As do I," her uncle said. "You are as kind and generous as your father was. I have never met a more genuine person. He would be proud of you. Just as Catherine and I are proud of you."

At the mention of her father, she felt tears form in her eyes and she started blinking them back. Miles gently placed a hand on the small of her back, providing her with immense comfort.

Bennett spoke up, drawing their attention. "Father and I have decided that we will work together to make our estate even more profitable."

"What of the village?" Edwina asked.

"We will ensure they receive what we promised, and our tenants will be given the needed repairs to their cottages," Bennett replied.

Winston stepped forward and said, "You might want to start with the vicar. Miss Bawden mentioned he was thinking about switching parishes due to the lack of funding."

Bennett tipped his head. "We will go speak to him at once and make it right."

Her uncle moved to stand by his wife. "We do have another problem that we need to address immediately," he stated. "I am grateful that Bennett brought it to my attention and I feel as if I must rectify the situation at once."

As her uncle reached for his wife's hand, he shared, "I understand that you saw something that you were not supposed to see… at least for now." He sighed. "But I cannot ha ve you think the worst of me since I love Catherine with my whole heart."

"I love you, too," her aunt stated.

Her uncle offered his wife a private smile before saying, "The woman at the cottage is actually my sister. We have not spoken since she eloped with a man that was well below her station. She came to me a few weeks ago, battered and bruised, looking for a place to hide from her husband." He let out a heavy sigh before revealing, "Sarah could endure the beatings, but when her husband turned his hand on their son, she turned to me for help."

Her aunt interjected, "You must understand that no one can know Sarah is here. If her husband ever found out, it would be within his rights to take them away."

Winston crossed his arms over his chest. "You have enough influence in Parliament that we might be able to petition for a divorce."

"I doubt that," her uncle said. "Divorces are so rarely granted, and my sister made her choice many years ago, much to the disappointment of our whole family."

"We can still try," Winston pressed.

Her uncle bobbed his head. "Perhaps, but for now, we must go on pretending as if Sarah is not here. And I will be much more cautious when I go to visit with her and my nephew."

Edwina felt immense relief from her uncle's words, knowing she had thought the worst and had been wrong. The weight she had been carrying seemed to dissipate, making her shoulders seem lighter.

Bennett picked up the ledger and said, "We have one more thing to discuss with Edwina and then we can adjourn for breakfast."

Giving him an expectant look, Edwina waited for her cousin to continue.

"It is the matter of your inheritance," Bennett remarked .

Her uncle offered her an apologetic look. "Mr. Stanley has stolen a great deal of money from that account and I was foolish enough to believe his explanation for it. I had hoped to honor my brother's wishes but I knew that would take time. Which is why I never mentioned your inheritance. My plan was to turn the money over to you once you reached your majority," he said. "However, now that you do know, I promise that you will receive every pound you are entitled to. It just might take some time."

"Can we not just retrieve the funds that Mr. Stanley stole?" Edwina asked.

With a resolute nod, her uncle replied, "We will try, but it might not be as easy as that. There are many ways to keep funds hidden, but you must not worry about that. You will have your money. I promise you that."

Miles leaned closer to her. "That is your money that your father left you," he whispered. "You are free to do with it what you please."

She turned towards him and asked, "Do you truly mean that?"

"I do," Miles replied. "My estate is very profitable and we have more than enough money for two lifetimes."

Edwina felt her heart fill with gratitude for this man. How she loved him. With Miles by her side, it was as if all the pieces of her soul had finally found their rightful place.

Shifting her gaze back to Bennett, Edwina knew precisely what she wanted to do with her inheritance. "I would like you to use that money to help the village."

Bennett's brow lifted. "Are you in earnest?" he asked. "That is a small fortune."

Edwina reached for Miles' hand. "It is, but the villagers have suffered much by Mr. Stanley's hand. It will take some time- and money- to regain their trust again. Perhaps you could even open an all-girls' school."

"We will do so, but in your name," Bennett said .

Her uncle approached her, coming to a stop in front of her. His eyes were moist. "You are so much like your father, and I miss him."

Edwina dropped Miles' hand and embraced her uncle. "I do as well."

In a low voice, her uncle said, "I'm sorry, Edwina. You deserved better and I let you down. I promise to make this right."

Leaning back slightly, Edwina suggested, "Let's start over."

Her uncle released her and took a step back. "Thank you, Child."

Her aunt stepped forward and announced, "You must hurry and eat breakfast. The dressmaker is coming to fit you for a whole new wardrobe. You will need one befitting your elevation of status. You are to become a countess."

"I do not care about becoming a countess," Edwina said. "All I care about is that I am Miles' wife."

Miles grinned. "This will mean that you will need to start acting more countess ish ."

"That doesn't have the same ring to it as ‘earlish,'" Edwina teased.

"I am not as good at making up words as you are," Miles admitted.

Edwina patted his sleeve. "At least you are trying."

Miles reached for her hand and brought it up to his lips. "I will always try for you," he said. "You must know that."

"I do," Edwina responded, leaning closer. "And I promise I won't make up too many words."

"You can make up as many words as you want," Miles remarked, keeping a hold on her hand. "I just want you to be happy."

A broad smile came to her lips. "I am happy. Deliriously so," she admitted.

Miles' eyes filled with tenderness. "To love you is to breathe, for without you, my life would be devoid of meaning or purpose."

"I love you, too," Edwina murmured, being transfixed by his gaze.

Winston let out a groan. "Just elope to Gretna Green already!" he exclaimed. "And leave me in peace."

"Absolutely not!" her aunt shouted. "Edwina needs to get married in the chapel after the banns have been posted."

Miles lowered her hand but didn't release it. "It might be best if I write about my undying devotion to you."

"I would like that," Edwina said.

Her uncle chimed in, "Shall we adjourn to the dining room?"

Everyone murmured their agreement and they filed out of the study. While they made their way to breakfast, Edwina met Miles' gaze and smiled. "Just so you know, I am yours, now and forevermore."

"Forever. With you. I quite like the sound of that," Miles said.