With a disheartened look upon her face, Adele shrugged, then sat down on the side of her bed with a heavy sigh. “I don’t know what you mean,” she replied with a downcast look.
Edith huffed out a deep breath. “Don’t you dare lie to me,” she snapped, seating herself on her own bed, across from Adele. “I saw the look upon your face. You gave up!” Accusation hung heavy upon her words.
Adele’s eyes closed. “It’s not giving up when there is no hope.”
Edith grasped her friend’s hand, and Adele’s eyes flew open. “There’s always hope.” She smiled. “Lord Whickerton kissed me.”
Adele’s jaw dropped, and the hint of a smile teased the corners of her mouth. “He kissed you? How? Why?” Her brows drew down. “When?”
Edith laughed, delighting in seeing her friend’s spirits reawakening. “Only moments after I prevented Lord Aberley from kissing you.”
Adele’s eyes widened. “Then you did do it on purpose!”
“Of course!” Edith exclaimed. “Don’t tell your parents!”
Adele chuckled. “You’re truly one of a kind. I had no idea you could lie so convincingly.”
Edith shrugged. “If it serves the greater good.”
Adele’s gaze darkened, and she rose to her feet and began pacing around their chamber. “There is no greater good. Believe me, I’ve considered this from all sides.” She turned to look at Edith, utter hopelessness in her eyes. “There is no way out.”
“There always is a way out,” Edith replied as she rose to her feet. Walking to her friend’s side, she grasped Adele’s hands. “Do you trust me?”
Adele frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Do you trust me?” Edith insisted, realizing that sharing her plan with Adele might prevent its successful execution.
“What do you intend to do?”
Edith shook her head. “Do you trust me?”
Adele sighed, her eyes contemplative, before she slowly nodded her head up and down. “Yes, I trust you.”
Edith smiled at her warmly. “Then do as I say, and we shall see you married to the man you love without breaking your father’s heart.” She squeezed Adele’s hands. “I promise.”
A slow smile came to her friend’s face as a flicker of hope sparked in her eyes. “You truly mean it,” Adele breathed, surprise mingling with disbelief. “You truly think this can be done.”
Edith nodded. “Now, go and put on your warmest cloak and boots.”
Adele frowned. “Why?”
“Trust me,” was all Edith said as she herself hastened to the armoire in the corner to do the same. Indeed, the next step of her plan was a bit tricky, for it involved a large number of people, and as Edith knew from experience, people and their behavior were difficult to predict. Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained. She had always found that to be true.
Only half an hour later, Edith and Adele were gathered in the great hall with a large number of guests all dressed for the outdoors. Once again, Lord Cumberton addressed his guests, speaking of the wonderful tradition of cutting the yule log, before he sent them all out into the cold.
Unfortunately, Lord Halston urged his son to offer Adele his arm, which she accepted graciously, the look in her eyes once more overshadowed by doubt as she looked at Edith. Edith, in turn, smiled at her reassuringly, for she had expected this to happen. Indeed, everything was going according to plan.
An icy wind blew that evening as the sun slowly began to disappear behind the horizon, their steps slowed by the snow that covered the ground inches deep. Some gentlemen held torches to light the upcoming darkness, while others carried an axe. As the light more and more disappeared and the night darkened, Edith looked up at the clear sky, her eyes drawn to the twinkling stars shining down upon them. Indeed, it was a beautiful night, perfect to work a little magic!
Walking on Adele’s other side, Edith allowed her gaze to sweep over the other groups of guests, picking their way through the snow nearby. In the distance, she spotted Adele’s Scot, his gaze narrowed and his jaw tense whenever he glanced in their direction. Past her right shoulder, Edith took note of Lady Mary, walking at her brother’s side, as the two of them listened to a story recounted by their hosts’ son. Still, Lord Whickerton’s attention seemed far from focused upon his friend, for Edith could all but feel him looking at her.
The sensation almost made her stumble, her heart suddenly speeding up as though urging her to his side. Edith wished she could comply but first things first.
Tonight, she had a plan. Tonight, she needed to stay focused. Her own heart needed to be patient a little while longer.
With a tight hold on Adele’s other arm, Edith began slowing their steps a little, urging their group a bit to the right until she spotted Lady Mary appear on Lord Aberley’s other side. Fortunately, in that moment, there was a bit of a pause in the other group’s conversation, and so Edith exclaimed, “Lady Mary, can you recommend a book on Ancient Egypt?” Edith remembered glimpsing the title of the book Lady Mary had been reading when she had come upon her in the library that day.
Lord Aberley’s gaze swiveled from Edith to Lady Mary. “You’re interested in Ancient Egypt? By any chance, have you read…?” And he launched into a discussion Edith had no longer any interest in following. Lady Mary, however, looked utterly delighted, the shy look in her eyes slowly replaced by one of enjoyment.