“Now? He wishes to see me now?” she asked in clear frustration. “But I am talking to your bride!” She gestured in Julia’s direction.
Julia turned a narrowed glare on Edward, something he clearly didn’t miss for he took his sister’s hand and pulled her to her feet.
“You know it is important to be seen when he comes by. You go to your chamber and see him; I will see to my bride.”
“Ahem,” Julia made a point of clearing her throat as she lifted her teacup, earning a glare from Edward.
“Very well, I will be back soon, Lady Julia.” Lady Esther hastened out of the room. Once she was gone, Julia looked up at Edward beside her, who had a glower equally as strong as her own.
“She doesn’t know. Why doesn’t she know, Edward?” Before Julia could get an answer to her question, her hand was taken, and he pulled her to her feet. “Where are we going?”
“Somewhere we will not be disturbed by my staff.” He pulled her out of the room and down the corridor. Once more Julia tried to admire the fine furnishings but was prevented when he pulled her into a study and closed the door.
He released her hand once they were shut inside and turned away from her, rubbing his face in stress. Julia had planned in this moment to thank him for the books and the flowers, but she couldn’t. She was too confused by what she had just discovered.
“Edward, she doesn’t know. Why doesn’t she know?”
“I couldn’t tell her,” Edward explained as he rounded the desk, standing apart from her. “When I told her a betrothal was to be announced, she already had her hands on a scandal sheet telling her of the same thing. She was so thrilled about the prospect of the two of us marrying, that I found myself accepting her congratulations without correcting her.”
“Why?” Julia asked again, still unsure what he meant.
“She was so happy,” Edward declared, with full vigor. “Take a look at my sister, Julia. She was so excited to have your company today.”
“That she was, I could barely utter a word.”
“That is because she is tired of being alone in this house. The betrothal was the first glimmer of a smile I had from her in months.” He held out his hands, helplessly. “I could not take that happiness away from her. I just couldn’t do it.”
“Edward, that is absurd.” Julia knew why he had done it, yet it made an anger begin to build. She walked around the desk, getting closer to him. She had expected him to escape the other way, but he didn’t, and held his ground. “You do realize now that when you do have to tell your sister the truth, she will be all the more heartbroken that you lied? This happiness is a short-lived thing!”
“Maybe that is enough. How many people are truly happy for a long time in this world, eh? Maybe I should just be glad I’m making her happy for a short while.”
“You are mad.” Julia shook her head in disbelief.
“Do not be angry at me, Julia.” He held her stare, folding his arms. “May I remind you that you are the reason we are here.”
“You will not let me forget it!”
“I will happily reiterate it.Youare the reason we are taking part in this deception.” He stepped toward her. “Youare the reason we have to lie, but you are also the reason why my sister can find a smile at this time.”
“That was a sudden change in conversation,” she murmured in surprise, aware how close he had come. He was so near. She could only think of their kiss from two nights before. His gaze flicked down to her lips, reminding her even more of it. She couldn’t step away. She didn’t want to.
“It was a change indeed, and here is another.” He moved his lips to hers.