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“Do you promise that no word of this conversation will cross this…” She looked around them, as if expecting someone to be spying on them. “Wait.”

She tugged at his hand, surprising him with her strength, and tried to lead him somewhere.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m trying to get us somewhere private so we could talk.”

Edward didn’t like the way lust shot through him at the wordprivate,which turned from a furnace to a raging fire when she led him into a small room and shut them in the dimly lit space.

As she closed the door behind them, her lavender scent became more prominent and teased his senses. If she touched him again, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep himself from taking her against the wall.

“Edward?” Her voice was small, as if she finally realized what she’d done.

“I’m here, love.”

“I…” she stammered out.

“Yes?”

“I… Do you promise not to repeat a word of what I tell you?”

He smiled at how she tried to defuse the tension that was building between them.

“I promise.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” She giggled. “I found him in a compromising position, and he wanted me to keep it a secret.”

Oh?

“What compromising position?” Edward asked, wanting clarity.

He knew several of his servants had relations with one another and had come upon some of them in compromising positions when he wandered the halls too late at night. He certainly hoped she hadn’t seen something similar.

“I saw him…” She blushed. “Kissing someone.”

He didn’t know he’d been holding his breath until he heard her answer.

“Oh.”

“Indeed.” She shuddered.

“I’m sorry you had to see that.”

“I didn’t mind so much…” She paused, as if realizing what she said. “I mean?—”

“It’s all right. There’s no need to explain.” Edward laughed. “Do you still want to see the gardens?”

She nodded excitedly.

“After you.”

She opened the door and bounced on her heels excitedly. “I heard there are marigolds and peonies, too.”

He nodded, but before he could respond, Beatrice and Noah ran up to them.

“Uncle Eddie! Auntie Ara!” they cried.

“Good afternoon, little ones,” Arabella greeted, crouching down to ruffle their hair. “How are you today?”