At that moment, she noticed her sisters approaching. He leaned closer to her and whispered right into her ear.
“It’s show time,” he murmured to which she almost chuckled aloud.
He took her by the hand and stood close to her. She had to admit that they looked good together. The perfect couple. That was, after all, what both Selina and Anna told her, and although she did not say it, she felt the same way.
“So, there is the happy couple,” Selina giggled. “We saw you dancing together. You looked absolutely stunning, both of you.”
“Why, thank you,” Edwin gushed, giving her one of his best smiles. “Has the Viscount of Lipton arrived yet?”
“I have not seen him,” Anna shook her head, sounding a little disappointed. “Hopefully he will arrive any moment.”
“I am certain that he will rush to you the moment he does,” Edwin assured her. She smiled. She obviously needed that.
Lydia listened to Edwin talk to her sisters. He did it so easily, finding the right words to express himself even when they themselves were not certain what to say. He soothed them just like he soothed her. It was simply something he had in himself. The power to make someone feel safe, to make someone believe every single word he said.
She looked around once more, fearing that the Baron might still be here. In fact, she was certain that he was, but she tried to remember what Edwin told her. They were safe. He could not do anything to them in front of everyone else. All they needed to do was remain inside and not risk going out to the terrace or out in the garden. She was certain that the Baron might try to accost them or try to do something even worse if they did.
“Lydia, are you all right?” Anna asked.
Lydia smiled. “I am. I am just a little overwhelmed with everything that has been happening these last few days.”
Anna was the one who still had not found her prince charming. For Selina, that was the Viscount of Lipton. For Lydia, that was Edwin. Even if it was just a sham, she could believe that even for a little while as long as the lie was ongoing. Anna was still alone. Although she seemed happy and content with things as they were, Lydia was certain that she was surreptitiously yearning for someone to start courting her. Lydia hoped that this man would arrive soon and not take his time. Anna was waiting for him.
“We were so happy to hear that you two announced your courtship,” Anna added. “We did know that you were courting, just in case you were wondering. You couldn’t hide it very well.”
“What couldn’t we hide?” Lydia wondered, feeling amused by this assumption.
“The fact that you are madly in love with each other, of course,” Selina took over the conversation. “It is obvious.”
Lydia chuckled at this although her heart clenched at the possibility that her own emotions towards Edwin might be visible to everyone but him. Or perhaps, they were visible to him, but he was turning a blind eye to them. Yes, he did kiss her, but it was a spur of the moment sort of thing. It meant nothing. He was overjoyed that they found a very important clue, and he was filled with this cheer that he had to get it out of his system somehow. That was all it was. Nothing else.
“I think I see the Viscount,” Lydia pointed in the direction of the entrance, and sure enough, the man in question appeared. He was a tall, lean man with a thin moustache that did not suit him all that well, but it did give him a sort of an endearing look. He seemed to be looking for someone.
Selina lifted her hand in his direction. He noticed her and instantly, his face lit up at seeing her. Lydia could feel a pang of envy. She wanted Edwin to feel this about her, to be so happy when he saw her. But she doubted such a thing would ever happen.
CHAPTER19
The following morning, Lydia and Anna found themselves in the library. Selina had come down with a slight cold, so she decided to spend the morning in bed. Lydia was in search of a good book to keep her company when her sister suddenly made an announcement.
“You know, I’m glad it is just the two of us here this morning,” Anna said, almost hesitatingly as if she wasn’t certain if she should reveal what she had or not. Quickly, she opted for the affirmative reply.
“I also love spending time with just you.” Lydia turned around to her sister, thinking that it had something to do with the two of them spending time together without Anna.
The truth was that she loved both of her sisters equally, and usually, the three spent their time together. However, often, Selina and Anna would go for walks or shopping. And occasionally, Lydia would spend time with each of them separately. This, of course, didn’t mean that she preferred the company of one over the other. It simply meant that sometimes, a one-on-one conversation was more pleasurable than speaking with two people at the same time.
“I…” Anna started, looking down at her feet.
This wasn’t her usual behavior. She was unafraid to speak her mind which was partly why Lydia wondered if she would ever find a man who would be able to handle such a young lady. She always assured Anna that this man was somewhere out there. He merely needed to find his way to her.
“What is it, Anna?” Lydia asked, realizing that she needed to put the book in her hands back on the shelf and focus on her sister.
“I have something to tell you,” Anna whispered, glancing at the door, half-expecting someone to be there, listening in on their conversation. “I met someone.”
Lydia’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief then this shock and disbelief was substituted by sheer joy. “You met someone! Tell me all about it!”
“Well, I can’t say I actually met him,” Anna clarified. “I haven’t really seen him yet.”
Lydia frowned. Her sister wasn’t making much sense. “So, you didn’t meet someone?”