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Arabella’s eyes widened with fear as she looked at Edward. “Oh God,” she hissed. “What do I do?”

She jumped out of bed, scrambling for her clothes.

“While I do appreciate the view, I don’t think I want anyone to see you naked. If not for anything, we need to maintain the facade of the proper miss you present to the world,” he said saucily.

Arabella gasped and attempted to gather the bed covers.

“It is a little late for that, don’t you think? I have seen every inch of your delectable body.”

She shot him a warning look, before running to the screen to dress.

Edward laughed with obvious enjoyment. He was definitely enjoying needling her.

Her maid knocked again, before opening the door and stepping into the chamber. She was still blissfully unaware of his presence in the room.

He saw the moment her eyes took in the clothes strewn all over the floor and the bedsheet that covered the floor.

He was surprised when her lips curled into a smile, but the next minute, that stoic mask slid back into place, making him wonder if it was just a trick of the light.

“Your Grace?” she called out, walking towards the bed. “Is—oh, Your Grace!”

She turned away quickly, surprised to see him.

“Matilda, you should have waited for me to bid you to enter,” Arabella scolded, stepping out from behind the screen.

“I’m sorry, Your Grace.” The maid curtsied.

“It’s not her fault, Ara mine,” Edward said slowly, rising from the bed, already wearing his breeches. He picked up his shirt and pressed a kiss to Arabella’s cheek. “Has my mother gone below stairs to break her fast?”

“Yes, she has, Your Grace,” Matilda answered.

“All right.” He nodded. “Help Her Grace get ready quickly. We’ll be joining the morning meal.”

He shared a look with Arabella and then went to get dressed. He dreaded the conversation he was about to have with his family, but it had to be done to tie up loose ends. It was about time they put an end to all the lies between them.

As soon as he finished dressing, he stepped out of his rooms, only to find a radiant-looking Arabella standing in front of the door, with her hand poised to knock.

“Wife, I was about to come to you.” He smiled, pulling her into his arms. “Perfect timing.”

She smiled, moving up on her tiptoes to kiss him. “Indeed. You look handsome.”

“And you look ravishing.”

“Is that all that’s on your mind?” She laughed.

“When it comes to you, yes.”

“We have to discuss what we’re going to say to them.” She reminded him, her mood turning somber.

“Do not fear.” He smiled, squeezing her hands. “They will understand why we did what we did.”

Arabella smiled sweetly at him, looping her arm through his, and then they went downstairs. The joy in his heart was ridiculous, and he smiled down at her.

Various images of little girls with her beautiful eyes and smile, and a boy with honey-colored locks, flashed in his mind. The pictures were so vivid that he was sure he had a ridiculous grin on his face, but he didn’t care.

He was jolted out of his reverie when Arabella stopped abruptly, staring at the dining table in in pure terror. He followed her gaze to see Joana sitting primly at the dining table, as if nothing was wrong. She lifted her head and gave him a smile that sent cold shills down his spine.

“Arabella, you overslept,” Joana said, before turning to Edward with a dark look. “It is obvious why.”