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“You believe that reason is sufficient?” she asked in surprise.

“I do believe that, believe it or not,” he answered lightly.

“Then please understand that that may be the future we both have to contend with,” she said, her voice cracking. She was upset—her eyes were filling with tears.

That reminder was enough to dampen Edward’s arousal, and he promptly decided he needed to get her away from him, so he could think.

“I should go to bed, Lady Arabella. I need to think on this,” he murmured after a brief moment of silence.

“I will try to get this resolved. Marriage shall be our last option,” she said, before she turned quickly and briskly walked out of the room.

When she stepped out of the chamber, Edward couldn’t stop laughing a little bit at the situation. He was not a cynical man by nature, but he had a knack for finding humor in difficult situations. Though he should not have been laughing this time.

Arabella’s words had been all too true, and as much as her words scared him, he decided he’d face their fate when he was better rested.

I need to rest.

He struggled to fall asleep at first, frustrated by the predicament he found himself in.

But soon he fell asleep, angry with himself. For claiming Arabella’s body for even a night made him forget every shred of propriety.

* * *

The next morning, glances and whispers from the staff caused a lump to form in his throat, almost choking him. It appeared Arabella had been correct.

He had found the maid, Jasmine, who had caught them in a compromising position, speaking in a low whisper with an older gentleman.

When they saw him, the maid’s face turned red, and she bobbed a quick curtsy, before scurrying out of the room.

“Good morning, Your Grace,” the butler said, bowing his head. “Allow me to show you to the drawing room.”

“Thank you…” Edward paused.

As the two made their way into the dining room, Edward nodded in greeting at Arabella’s family.

“Good morning, Your Grace,” Lord Thorne greeted, rising from his seat. “I am glad you joined us this morning. I had the cook make her cakes extra sweet this morning.”

Edward offered him a polite and appreciative smile, then took a seat at the place Lord Thorne indicated. Herbert pulled out the chair, and Edward gingerly sat down.

When he looked around the room, he noticed Arabella was two seats away from him.

“Your Grace, thank you for joining us,” she said to him. She looked like she hadn’t slept the previous night, but her tone was pleasant and calm. “We hope you found your chambers comfortable?”

“They were, thank you, Lady Arabella,” Edward answered, giving her a short look.

The Duke of Ridlington and his wife entered the room, and with that breakfast commenced with a small discussion about their plans for the day.

“Brother,” Arabella spoke, surprising him. He wondered what she had in mind and why she was so bold as to seek him out so purposefully. “Do you think I could show His Grace the hedge garden? When we talked, I remember him saying that it reminds him of his childhood.”

She is witty. I never told her that. I didn’t even have a hedge garden.

“That would be lovely, Ara. I believe I will join you as well. The weather is quite beautiful for a walk,” Lord Thorne commented.

To anyone not paying attention, they would have missed it, but Edward swore he saw Lord Thorne shoot his sister a questioning look.

“I would enjoy that, Lady Arabella,” Edward answered, grateful for the chance to talk with her alone.

When breakfast ended, the kitchen maids came up and cleared away the plates. Edward heard Arabella whisper to one maid.