But he would.
That, Jasper vowed.
Chapter Four
UNEXPECTED CONFIDANTS
Turning a corner, Edith was surprised when her gaze fell on Lady Mary, Lord Whickerton’s sister. The young woman seemed rather tense, casting uneasy glances over her shoulder before she hurried down the corridor and then vanished from sight around another corner.
Her interest piqued; Edith followed her. Truthfully, she had not believed Lady Mary capable of secrecy. Yet, clearly, here she was, trying her very best to reach a certain destination with no one the wiser. Where was she headed? And why?
Edith had to admit that she burned to find out, for there clearly was more to Lady Mary than met the eye. Could the same be said for her brother? Perhaps it would be wise to speak to the man’s sister and find out more about him.
Indeed, Lord Whickerton was a terribly fascinating man. Edith could not even say why. All she knew was that he made her feel all tingly inside. She loved the way he looked at her as if he was trying to look deeper, to truly understand who she was deep down. His smile was intoxicating, and she had delighted in the way he had stepped closer without crowding her, simply drawn to her, as though they had been friends forever and had not seen each other in a long time. Being around him had felt natural, as though he had always been missing from her life. Was that what love felt like? Edith wondered, trying her best to rein in these overwhelming emotions before they could run off with her sanity.
Perhaps Adele was correct. Perhaps she ought to proceed with more caution. But how could she when her heart did this odd little flutter every time she beheld him?
Hurrying around yet another corner, Edith pulled to a halt when she found the corridor in front of her empty. Where had Lady Mary disappeared to? She could only hope the young woman had not somehow gotten herself in trouble.
Approaching the first door on the right, Edith carefully opened it and stepped inside, her eyes falling on a snug little parlor, lovingly decorated. She was about to step back out into the hall when the sound of a sharply indrawn breath reached her ears.
“Begging your pardon, my lady.”
Glancing around the door, Edith spotted a maid in the corner, dusting the portraits hung along the wall. The maid curtsied, keeping her head down in a way that made Edith wonder if she, too, had encountered Lady Lucinda. Quite clearly, the woman was a menace!
Taking a step back from her feelings of utter annoyance toward Lady Lucinda, Edith smiled at the maid. “Oh, please do not let me interrupt you.” She swept her gaze over the parlor. “Indeed, you’re doing a marvelous job. Everything looks quite beautiful.”
A hesitant smile came to the maid’s face. “Thank you, my lady.”
Offering the young woman another smile, Edith then once more stepped out into the corridor, disappointed to have lost Lady Mary. Could she possibly still be close by? Perhaps she ought to try another door? If only she knew this castle better! She paused, then turned back to the maid. “Pardon me. Can you tell me what rooms are nearby?”
The maid nodded eagerly. “The library’s just up ahead, my lady.”
Edith was about to ask another question when her mind took her back to the moment, she had seen Lady Mary for the first time. Indeed, the young woman struck her as someone who would cherish each and every opportunity to withdraw from the world. She clearly had an overbearing mother, who no doubt forced her daughter into all kinds of uncomfortable situations. What better place to seek solace than in the library?
“Thank you,” Edith mumbled, and then hurried away.
Sliding open the heavy door, she stepped over the threshold, quietly closing it behind herself. A comfortable silence engulfed her, as her eyes swept over lush carpets, beautiful stained-glass windows and intricately carved shelves, holding Lord Cumberton’s treasured library. A grand fireplace occupied one wall with upholstered armchairs set in a half-circle in front of it. Unfortunately, each and every one of them was empty. Where could Lady Mary be?
Stepping around a bookcase, Edith drew to a halt when her gaze fell on a small sitting area in an alcove. It was no more than two armchairs facing one another, but it was out of the way, as though in a world all its own. The perfect place to evade one’s overbearing mother, as Lady Mary’s presence clearly indicated.
The moment the young woman beheld Edith, alarm came to her features. All blood seemed to drain from her face, and her mouth fell open in a rather unbecoming way.
Smiling at the other woman reassuringly, Edith stepped toward her hiding place. “Please, do not worry. I promise I will not say a word.”
For a moment, Lady Mary hesitated, clearly uncertain whether to believe her. Her hands gripped the book she held tighter, pressing it to her chest. “Thank you,” she finally breathed, her voice barely audible. Then she forced her grip to loosen before laying the book on Ancient Egypt on the small side table. “I…I…”
Edith stepped forward. “You don’t have to explain yourself, Lady Mary, and I’m sorry if I disturbed you. Do you enjoy reading?”
Swallowing, Lady Mary nodded, the look in her eyes still reminding Edith of a startled deer. “I do,” she replied after a moment. “My mother, however, considers it a waste of time.” Shock showed upon her face at having spoken such bold words.
Edith chuckled. “Well, then it’s a good thing that she was not the one to find you here, isn’t it?”
The tension in Lady Mary’s shoulders waned a little more. “And you…won’t say anything? To her, I mean?” She exhaled a shaking breath, clearly not convinced that placing her trust in Edith was a good idea.
Edith took a step toward her, her hands clasped together in a solemn vow. “You have my word.”
The ghost of a smile flashed over Lady Mary’s face, and a deep breath rushed from her lungs. “Thank you.” Her chest rose and fell with several rapid breaths before she managed to calm herself.