Chapter 22
When Edward awoke the following morning, the sun shone brighter than it ever had before. His chest glowed with warmth. The dream that he had about Laura the night before would not leave him. In the dream, she was lying by his side, completely unclothed. He reached over and felt her soft back, her gentle breathing, and the curvature of her spine.
Once he was finally awake, he was amazed to discover that Laura was not there; the dream had been so vivid. If only they lived in a different society where his love for Laura would be accepted. But why should he bloody care if his feelings were accepted or not? Edward was never one to mind what others thought.
Coming down the stairs to the dining room, Edward felt no shame about his dream, nor what happened the night before in his study. He wished that it could have lasted longer. There was no doubt that he would see Laura in the dining room during breakfast, and it was the only thing that he anticipated with relish. The rest of the day would be entertaining, business meetings, and writing an important letter to Norman regarding his still dwindling finances. None of these things held any appeal. All that he wished to see were Laura’s transfixing eyes.
Sitting down at the table, Edward was in shock when Anna Rutley stepped into the room. The encounter with Laura the night before had been so extraordinary, he’d entirely forgotten that Anna had invited herself to stay that evening. Edward cleared his throat, willing himself to find the good cheer to entertain Anna for another morning, and hopefully not the entire day.
“Your Grace.” Anna seated herself.
“I trust that you slept well.”
“I slept very well. And I have quite the appetite this morning.”
The way Anna looked at him, he took that statement to be suggestive. “I’m delighted to hear that.”
“I do hope that your cook is serving that delectable ham that I love so much.”
The delectable ham that she loved so much? Anna was making it sound as though she’d been enjoying breakfast at his estate all her life. Frustration took hold until he saw Laura walk into the room with the basket of rolls. Where his heart was momentarily plummeting, now it soared. She looked absolutely radiant in the morning light. As Laura approached the table and set the basket down, he watched her every move. Laura curtsied. “Good morning, Your Grace.”
Edward didn’t speak, lest the enthusiasm in his voice gave away exactly how ardent his feelings were. Laura quickly walked away, and Edward felt Anna’s eyes on him. “She is a strange girl, is she not?”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know.” Anna reached for a roll from the basket. “There’s just something odd about her.”
Edward’s frustration returned. He didn’t like the way that Anna referred to Laura. “I can’t say that I agree. I find her impossibly lovely.”
The words flew out of his mouth before he had a chance to consider them. Anna turned to him in shock. “How peculiar to say something like that about a member of your staff.”
“She’s a human being, after all.”
“Still.” Anna lifted her brow and buttered her roll. “You should be careful, Edward. You’re going to give everyone around you the wrong idea.”
Edward instantly found that he had very little appetite. So what if he gave everyone the wrong idea? It was his estate, after all. He could do and think as he chose. As breakfast was being served, Edward could only anticipate the moment when Anna departed the estate. He thought it too rude to ask, but it would not leave his mind. He wished for his privacy. He needed space to think, and somehow when Anna Rutley was around, Edward was under the false assumption that he couldn’t command his own thoughts.
“I saw the most charming bluebird this morning,” Anna continued to speak, no doubt changing the subject. “The little creature came right to my windowsill and sang me a little song. I have a feeling that that bluebird and I are now fast friends.”
Once breakfast had concluded, Anna expressed her plans to leave that afternoon after taking a stroll in the garden. Edward said that he was retiring to his study, and Anna frowned. “You don’t wish to walk with me?”
“There are too many matters to attend to.”
“As you wish.”
As Edward exited the dining room, his mood went from bad to worse. Harrison approached. “Is there anything else I can get you, Your Grace?”
“I require more tea. I’ll be in my study.”
“As you wish.” Harrison bowed his head.
Once in his study, Edward slammed the door behind him. He was in a state. His thoughts went back and forth between his fondness for Laura and his utter annoyance with Anna. But was he to marry that woman? What if every morning was just like that one? Listening to Anna carry on, watching Laura’s every move, departing in utter frustration. There was no chance that Edward would be able to do that every morning for the rest of his life. It was too unbearable.
Sitting at his desk, Edward opened his ledger and pulled out a paper. He’d compose his letter for Norman and be done with it.
Brother,
I’m not unaware that your accounts continue to dwindle. I realize that our relationship has deteriorated, but I implore you to make the right decision at this critical juncture. You carry the Pembroke name in your hands, and you disregard the well-being of others. I do have faith in you, but you must take that critical step to change your ways. I expect a reply.