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“Nancy, are you feeling better this morning?”

“Yes, My Lady,” the maid answered. “The babe is still.”

“All right. Please feel free to rest for a while. You worked so hard this morning.”

Hearing that sparked admiration in his heart. He did not often see his peers asking after their servants.

“If you insist, My Lady,” the maid replied, a happy smile showing her teeth. She looked around fourteen.

Edward, Arabella, and the Earl left the room shortly after and set off for their promenade around the garden.

When they neared the entrance, they spotted Jasmine wiping some furniture.

“Lady Arabella, how did you sleep last night?” Edward asked loudly, catching the maid’s attention.

Arabella shot him a look, but seeing the quick look he gave Jasmine, she understood.

“I slept really well,” she answered with a smile. “It is good I retired to my chamber early. That way, I can finally beat my brother at a game of chess later.

Their party laughed and set off towards the gardens.

Luckily, the other members of their party were not standing too close.

“I do not know if you have noticed, but I do believe word has gotten around,” Arabella whispered, her arms folded tensely behind her back.

The two walked past the centerpiece at the front of the hedge garden—a limestone statue of a man who Arabella said was her late grandfather, Malcolm Burk.

Edward wasn’t paying attention to her words, as she sounded distracted while speaking. She was wearing a beautiful light pink morning dress that complemented her slightly tanned skin. He tried not to lower his gaze but could not help it. His eyes flicked to her folded hands.

“I believe I saw it with my own eyes,” he finally said, shifting his gaze back to her face.

“We need to face the possibility that word will spread beyond the estate.”

It was Edward’s turn to sigh. He didn’t want to finally admit it, but now he was forced to.

“You are right. I remember you saying that you were going to find a way to fix this. I cannot think of one that may benefit us both.”

“Me neither, but I am still thinking. Have you given it some thought?” she asked. Edward noted she didn’t address him by his title.

“I must admit I have been stumped. I realized too late that this may cause a problem,” he begrudgingly confessed. “Perhaps we should take this walk to come up with a plan?”

“I did tell you last night, Your Grace,” Arabella said, huffing at the end. “But no matter, you now know.”

They had made their way through most of the garden when she suddenly piped up, “What if we?—”

She could not even finish her statement before Herbert hurried over to them. He was slightly wheezing by the time he reached them.

“Herbert, are you all right?” Arabella asked, putting her hand on his thick bicep.

“I apologize for interrupting your promenade, Your Grace, My Lady,” Herbert started. “Lord Thorne has requested to speak to you.”

Arabella let out a small, annoyed huff through her nose. “I am sorry, Your Grace. Perhaps Herbert can finish the tour with you.”

“Apologies, My Lady,” Herbert cut in. “I was referring to the both of you.”

Edward’s heart stopped for a moment. Lord Thorne was out there with them when they began their walk. He also knew that Herbert spoke with Jasmine this morning—presumably about what she had walked in on.

Did Herbert tell him?