Page 1 of An Unforeseen Kiss (Captivating Kisses #4)

E den Snow sat in bed, nibbling on the toast points her maid had brought for breakfast. She was rarely hungry in the mornings and alternated between a single poached egg or a few toast points, accompanied by a cup of tea.

She took the last sip of her tea before setting the tray aside, ready to dress for the day. Polly helped her from her night rail and into a riding habit, taking time to braid Eden’s hair in a long, single braid.

“There you go, Miss Eden,” the servant said. “Are you off to visit your mother?”

She nodded, sadness filling her. Within a week, Eden and her father would be leaving for town in order to attend the upcoming Season.

Her mother, who was bedridden, would remain behind at Brownstone.

She had never been separated from her mother and while she looked forward to attending the various social events, Eden knew how much she would miss her guidance as she navigated the waters of the Marriage Mart during her come-out.

Still, Papa would be there to help advise her. Eden was as close to her father as she was her mother. Being an only child, she had gravitated to her parents and spent a huge portion of her day with one or both.

While she was eager to get to know some of the other young ladies making their come-outs, she wasn’t sure exactly how to go about making friends.

She had never had any previously. Because of her mother’s health, Eden had always chosen to keep close to Brownstone, only venturing into the village with her father upon occasion or for church on Sundays.

Her world had been a very small one compared to what would await her in town.

Miss Barnes, her governess, had left them at the beginning of the new year.

She had said she was no longer needed since Eden was now grown, and Miss Barnes had taken a new position with a family with two little girls, ages four and six.

Eden still missed her former governess terribly and wrote to Miss Barnes once a week.

She doubted she would be able to keep up with that correspondence, though, because Mama said Eden would be too busy once the Season began.

She left her bedchamber and headed toward her mother’s rooms, entering the small sitting room which was never used since Mama never left her bed.

The door to the bedchamber was slightly ajar.

As Eden started to open it, she heard Mama’s voice mention her name.

Something caused her to wait a moment, not wanting to interrupt the conversation.

“You must speak with Eden today, John,” her mother said firmly. “She must understand it is imperative that she wed by the end of the Season.”

“I think you are worried for nothing. Eden has plenty of time to choose a husband. If none of the gentlemen are to her liking this year, why, she can do a second Season as she looks for a husband.”

A long pause sounded, and she felt guilty for eavesdropping on her parents, but she wondered what her mother was talking about and decided to keep her presence unknown for the time being.

“You, of all people, John, know how life can change in an instant. I would not see our only daughter left unprotected.”

She leaned around and saw her father’s head fall into his wife’s lap. Mama stroked his hair tenderly.

“I will never forgive myself for what I did to you, Mary,” Papa said, raising his head, tears staining his cheeks.

Mama cupped his cheek, her thumb wiping away his tears. “How many times have I told you, my darling, that it was not your fault what happened to me?”

“But I knew you were timid around horses. You only agreed to learn how to ride in order to please me, and look what that got you. If I hadn’t made you go out that day...” His voice trailed off.

Eden knew about the accident. How her mother’s horse had bolted with an inexperienced rider on its back, racing across a field and jumping a fence. Mama had been thrown from the horse, her spine severely injured in the fall as she hit the ground. She had lost all feeling from her waist down.

Eden had only been six months old.

Despite Mama’s disability, Eden had never lacked for attention from her mother.

Mama remained a bright light in both her and her father’s lives.

She chose to be happy that she had only hurt her spine and not died in the fall.

She always told Eden to cherish each day, saying that no matter how sad you might feel, there was always someone else with deeper, more serious problems, and that Eden should always be grateful for what she had.

“If you wish, I will speak with her this morning before the two of you ride,” Mama said.

“How I wish you could come to town with us, Mary,” Papa said, the anguish obvious in his voice.

“You know travel is impossible for me. You will need to write to me every day. Tell me of Eden’s suitors and all the events you escort her to.”

“It will be so very hard to be parted from you, my love. We have spent every night of our marriage together under this roof. To be apart for months and months is almost more than I can bear.”

“You will be doing it for our Eden, John. For her future happiness.”

“You are right, as always,” he said, resignation in his voice. “I will leave you now so that the two of you might chat. I will reiterate to Eden what you tell her today.”

She watched her father place a tender kiss upon Mama’s brow, and Eden quietly slipped from the sitting room, heading back into the corridor, where she gathered her thoughts.

Why did she need to wed during her first Season? Even Mama had told her that some girls, including herself, took more than one Season before they settled into marriage. Mama had seemed adamant, however, that her daughter wed.

She reentered the sitting room just as Papa came through the bedchamber door.

He smiled at her. “I will head to my study. When you and your mother have finished your visit, come and get me. We will go for our daily ride.”

In spite of her injuries, Mama had insisted that Eden learn how to ride.

From a young age, she had been placed in the saddle and never showed any fear of horses, thanks to her parents keeping the precise nature of her mother’s accident from her until she was older and already an experienced rider.

She grew to love her hours in the saddle.

Even her father said she rode superbly, and he was known as the best rider in the area.

“All right, Papa. I will see you soon.”

Entering the bedchamber, she went to Mama’s side, kissing her cheek before taking the chair next to the bed. She had spent so many hours in this room because Mama never left it. Even afternoon tea was served here so that the three of them might be together.

“Well, it is less than a week until you leave for town,” Mama said brightly. “Do you have any more questions about the Season?”

“I cannot think of a one,” she said honestly. “You have told me about so many of the different kinds of affairs which are held. You have explained the social rules and how I must follow them to the letter. I only wish you could come with us, Mama,” she said fervently.

“You know that is not possible, my child. My condition has deteriorated over the years. You probably do not recall, but I used to be carried downstairs for tea and dinner.”

That surprised her. “You did?”

“Yes. You were still very young then. Your father would lift and carry me. I even had a bath chair he would set me in on the terrace so I could enjoy a nice day. It came to be too much for me, however. It is easier to remain in this bed.”

Mama took Eden’s hand. “But how I wish I could go to town with you. See all the beautiful gowns you will wear. Meet the men who will woo you.” She squeezed Eden’s hand and released it.

“There is something important we must discuss, Eden. I know you will write to me of what you do in town and the gentlemen you are interested in. I will do my best to give you advice from a distance, but you will need to choose a gentleman to wed by Season’s end. It is imperative that you do so.”

“Why, Mama?” she asked, perplexed. “You and Papa were a love match. I would seek that for myself, and it might take some time. Papa has been so devoted to you all these years, never leaving your side. I want a man who also would be that faithful to me.”

Her mother’s face grew stern. “Love matches are rare, Eden. Very few exist in Polite Society. I would tell you not to fill your head with ideas of love. Instead, look for a good man. A kind one. He may not be the most handsome or possess the most wealth, but character is what is important. In fact, many men are overlooked because young ladies are ore dazzled by titles and riches.”

“I will give every gentleman fair consideration, Mama.” She covered her mother’s hand with her own. “Why do you feel I must wed this first Season when you did not?”

“I did not want to have to say this to you, Eden, but life can change in an instant. I am the best example of that. One day, I was a young woman, practically a newlywed. In love with my husband and the mother of our first child. The next, I could not stand on my own two feet, much less take a single step. I could not give your father the heir he deserved. Because of that, you know his title will go to your cousin.”

Eden shivered involuntarily. Cousin Edgar was selfish and rude.

He was an only child and had been spoiled from the moment of his birth.

Her uncle had lost his wife in childbirth and because of that, Uncle Snow focused every minute of each day on his only son.

She hated that Edgar would one day assume her father’s title as Viscount Brownley.