Chapter 35

CHAPTER 35

T hat evening, Edwin paced his study with a sense of purpose. The investigation was finally underway, and the faint prospect of finding justice for his brother had lifted the weight he’d been carrying for months.

Yet, as his thoughts circled back to Hanna, guilt gnawed at him. She had seemed distressed when she delivered the letters, but instead of showing sympathy, he had pushed her aside in his determination to solve the mystery of Benjamin’s death.

Edwin knew he had been harsh, and it weighed on him now. Perhaps she had simply been trying to help in the only way she knew how, caught between loyalty to her father and her duty to him.

Determined to make amends, he headed to the dining room, hoping to ease the strain between them. The room was softly lit by flickering candles, and the smell of roast meat and herbs filled the air. Hanna was already seated when he entered, her eyes cast downward as she absently pushed around the food on her plate. She looked distant, withdrawn, and it tugged at his heart.

He sat across from her, watching her for a moment before speaking. “Hanna,” he said gently, “you seem troubled. Has something upset you?”

She glanced up, startled by his question, but quickly dropped her gaze again. “It’s nothing,” she murmured. “I didn’t sleep well last night, that’s all.”

Edwin frowned, sensing there was more beneath the surface. Before he could press further, a sudden commotion interrupted the moment. The sound of claws skittering across the floor reached their ears, and in bounded Ruby, their playful dog, proudly clutching a rat in his jaws.

Hanna let out a sharp scream, jumping to her feet, her hand flying to her mouth. “Oh no! Ruby!” she gasped, backing away from the table.

“Ruby, no!” Edwin sprang up, trying to intercept the dog as he darted across the room, wagging his tail as if he had just brought back the finest catch in the world.

The scene quickly dissolved into chaos, with Hanna flustered and Edwin chasing after Ruby, attempting to pry the rat from his mouth. Ruby, thinking it all a grand game, danced out of his reach, the rat swinging between his teeth.

“Edwin, do something!” Hanna exclaimed, half-amused, half-panicked as she danced away from the dog.

“I’m trying!” Edwin called out, lunging for Ruby again but missing by inches.

The rat, evidently sensing the opportunity to flee, wriggled free from Ruby’s mouth and made a mad dash across the room. Hanna let out another scream as the rat scurried under the table, narrowly avoiding her feet.

The absurdity of the situation was too much for either of them to handle. Soon, Hanna was giggling uncontrollably, her fear giving way to laughter as she watched Edwin scramble to catch the creature. Her laughter was infectious, and before long, Edwin found himself laughing too despite the chaos around them.

After a few more minutes of frenzied chasing, Edwin finally cornered the rat near the entrance to the garden. With quick reflexes, he scooped it up in his hands, holding it triumphantly.

“Got it!” he declared, breathing heavily.

Hanna, still laughing, clutched her side. “I can’t believe you actually caught it!”

Edwin grinned, though his voice held a note of mock seriousness. “Quite the hero, am I not?”

They walked outside together, still chuckling, and released the rat into the bushes. As it scurried off into the night, Edwin turned to Hanna. In the cool evening air, the lightheartedness of the moment gave way to something softer, more intimate.

He gently took her hand, the warmth of her skin against his making his heart swell.

“Hanna,” he began, his voice quiet but sincere. “I want to apologize. I wasn’t fair to you when you brought me those letters. I know this is all difficult for you, too. I should have been more understanding.”

Hanna’s smile faded slightly, her expression thoughtful. “No, Edwin. I understand. It’s been hard on you, losing your brother. I only wish there was more I could do to help. I’m sorry if I’ve only made things worse.”

Edwin shook his head, his thumb brushing lightly over the back of her hand. “You haven’t. It’s just… I don’t want this investigation to come between us. I want things to be right between us.”

Hanna looked at him, her eyes soft in the moonlight, and nodded. “I want that too, Edwin. I want to be here for you.”

Edwin felt the urge to confide in her, to tell her that despite the evidence, he still believed in Benjamin’s innocence. But something held him back. He didn’t want to burden her further, especially knowing her father’s potential involvement. Instead, he decided to protect her from the darker side of the investigation.

Whatever happened, she shouldn’t have to suffer because of her father’s misdeeds.

Silence fell between them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. They stood together, hand in hand, the cool breeze rustling the leaves around them. Edwin realized how much he had come to care for her, how deeply he wanted to shield her from the storm that was undoubtedly brewing.

After a moment, Hanna broke the quiet. “There’s something I need to tell you,” she said, her voice hesitant. “My father… he’s hosting a ball at Hayward Manor soon. He’s invited us both to attend. I thought… perhaps it would be a good opportunity to show that there are no hard feelings between our families.”

“A ball?” Edwin raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden invitation. “Your father’s idea?”

Hanna nodded. “Yes, to show goodwill, I suppose. I think it might be good for us to attend. It could help smooth things over.”

Edwin’s mind immediately began to work. This could be his chance—a perfect opportunity to get inside Worcester’s home and gather more evidence. Perhaps even Thomas and Peter Jenkins could find a way to investigate further.

He met Hanna’s gaze and nodded slowly, hiding his true intentions. “Of course,” he said, “I’ll go with you. It could be… enlightening.”

Hanna smiled, though there was a trace of sadness behind her eyes. “I’m glad.”

As they walked back inside, Edwin silently vowed to see this through to the end. Whatever the cost, he would uncover the truth about Benjamin’s death, and he would protect Hanna from the worst of it.

Worcester would not escape justice, not while he was still standing. Edwin would attend the ball, but it would not be the harmless social gathering her father intended. No, it would be the beginning of Worcester’s downfall.