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“Miss Stella, what do you say?” he asked.

She looked up at him, and in her eyes, he saw undeniable terror.

“I suppose I shall do whatever is best,” she muttered, before averting her gaze again.

Ava had a triumphant look on her face. “And I happen to know that you are not the best option for her,” she added.

“Tell me, Miss Jennings,” Edwin said, amused, “you seem to feel rather strongly about my being here to court your sister.”

“Indeed. Perhaps it is because of your reputation,” Ava countered.

“My reputation? You seem to have taken quite an interest in me. I must admit, I am flattered, Miss Jennings,” Edwin taunted.

Ava fixed him with a cold stare. “Do not feel so flattered, Your Grace. I only inquired after you because you have shown interest in my sister.”

“Pardon my curiosity, but I must know, do you inquire after every suitor that shows interest in your sister?” Edwin asked.

That question seemed to take Ava aback, as she looked confused for a moment. However, she did not take long to recover.

“Whatever measures I take to ensure my sister’s safety are none of your business. Wouldn’t you agree, Your Grace?”

Edwin nodded solemnly. “I apologize, Miss Jennings. It is only natural for you to want to keep your sister safe. However, I cannot help but wonder how you were so quick to make inquiries about me. After all, I have only formally expressed my interest in your sister to your father this morning. That leaves you very little time to… investigate.”

Ava’s face flushed red. Edwin could only guess it was shame.

“Unless, of course, you were making inquiries about me long before I even expressed interest in your sister. Now, I must know, what would push you to do so? Could it possibly be that I have piqued your interest in any way?” he prodded.

“It does not matter,” Ava huffed. “You have a reputation, and it would be a rather foolhardy mistake if I let my sister get married to someone like you.”

“Someone like me?” he echoed, raising a curious eyebrow.

“Your reputation is anything but pristine, and—” She broke off when the Viscount walked back into the room.

“Your Grace, I hope you have found Stella agreeable?” he asked, grinning as he rubbed his hands together.

“You must know that I have. Miss Stella has been quite pleasant, and I have grown to like her even more.” Edwin stared right at Ava as he said the last part.

Ava looked mad. However, she could not quite protest, since her father was there.

“I am glad,” the Viscount said. “Then I suppose you will be approaching me with a proposal soon?”

Edwin rose to his feet, and he watched as Ava shrank back in her seat, as though she was terrified of him. He was aware of the effect he often had on people, even when he did not mean to.

“I am not quite certain about that yet, Lord Notley,” he murmured, taking two deliberate steps towards the Viscount.

“Wh-What is the matter, Your Grace?” the Viscount asked, looking a tad terrified.

“You see, while Miss Stella has been agreeable, Miss Jennings has been quite the opposite. In fact, she told me in very few words that she would never let me marry her sister.”

Edwin cast a glance at Ava, only to find her eyes flashing at him murderously.

Lord Notley chuckled nervously. “Ava would never say such a thing.”

“Are you suggesting that I am lying, Lord Notley?” Edwin narrowed his eyes at him.

The Viscount shook his head frantically. “No, quite the contrary, in fact,” he sputtered, almost shrinking back. “I simply mean that Ava would not dare to incur my wrath in such a manner.” He then turned to Ava. “Are you bent on sabotaging your sister’s prospects?” he spat.

“Miss Jennings’ hostility towards me made me wonder if she would not simply end up corrupting sweet Stella with her bitterness,” Edwin continued.