Page 4

CHAPTER 4

E dwin got his first glimpse of Notley Manor the moment he alighted from his carriage. It was a small, quaint house. However, the house was not the subject of his interest today; it was the lady who lived in it.

He adjusted his mask and retrieved the two bouquets from the carriage before making his way, with assured steps, towards the entrance.

“His Grace, the Duke of Gillingham!” the butler announced.

Edwin heard a flurry of footsteps, after which he saw a familiar mane of dark brown hair disappear into one of the rooms on the first floor.

He could not help but chuckle to himself.

He was just being led to the drawing room when the Viscount himself came out, all smiles.

“Your Grace,” Lord Notley greeted earnestly. “It is an honor to have you here. I hope you will find today’s meeting satisfactory.”

Edwin nodded. “I can only hope.”

Considering the flash of dark brown hair he had just glimpsed, he was certain the meeting would be memorable, at the very least.

“Let me show you to the drawing room,” the Viscount offered as he led the way.

Edwin was not impressed by the Viscount’s enthusiasm. In fact, he was used to seeing men quiver in his presence, partly because of his title and partly because of his mysterious demeanor.

“I shall go and check on Stella. She’ll only be a moment, I promise,” the Viscount added as soon as they entered the drawing room, before scurrying out, leaving him all alone.

Instead of sitting down, however, Edwin took that moment to look around the room. He was there on a mission, after all.

The room, while rather small, was quaint and quite charming, and he could immediately tell that a woman of refined taste had decorated it. The ottoman and sofas were elegant and of matching colors, giving off a homely atmosphere.

He spotted a family portrait on the mantelpiece and moved closer to observe it.

There the family was. The father smiled politely, while the youngest daughter wore a deep frown. The second daughter, who was now his friend’s wife, wore a polite smile. The eldest daughter kept a stoic face, her plum-red lips pressed tightly together.

Edwin could not help but chuckle as he remembered the events of the last ball. How those tight lips had been open and inviting only for a moment in that passageway.

He then spotted a stack of books that were neatly arranged below the portrait, and he picked the top one. It was a romance novel.

He wondered briefly which daughter had been reading the book. He assumed it was the youngest sister, since the eldest one seemed too severe and serious to indulge in such.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps, and the next moment, the sisters entered the drawing room, their father hot on their heels.

The younger sister looked rather unhappy, her eyes trained on the floor, while the eldest wore a defiant look on her face. He was not quite certain if that was because of him.

Their eyes met for a moment before she promptly looked away.

“Your Grace, I apologize for the delay,” the Viscount said. He seemed even more flustered than he had been earlier, and he almost tripped over himself in a bid to step in front of him. “What refreshments would you like, Your Grace? I can have the butler serve whisky or…”

Edwin simply shook his head.

“Oh! Anything you want, Your Grace. Just name it and it shall be provided,” the Viscount insisted, eager to please.

His eyes suddenly widened as he spotted the book in Edwin’s hands.

“I apologize for this, Your Grace.” He scampered towards him. “If you would be so kind as to give me the book—I will ensure that these foolish books are banished from the house so Stella doesn’t corrupt herself with them. I can assure you, though, that Stella’s mind is still quite pristine and innocent.”

His rambling amused Edwin.

“That is too bad because I happen to enjoy ladies who read such books,” he said.

The Viscount’s mouth dropped open in surprise, and his eyes bulged as though he had choked on something. He was, however, quick to compose himself.

“Your Grace, I only meant that ladies who read are far wittier. And I am certain you will enjoy Stella’s wit, since she always has her nose buried in one book or the other,” he quickly said.

His reaction was simply priceless, and Edwin barely stopped himself from doubling over in laughter. He almost asked him why he had been lying earlier, but that would probably give the poor man a heart attack.

“Then I suppose you would not mind if I speak to the ladies alone?” he asked.

“Of course, of course,” the Viscount stammered. “But if there is anything you need, just tell me.”

With that, he scampered out of the room.

Finally, Edwin was all alone with the sisters.

There was a moment of silence as the sisters took their seats. Edwin, however, noticed that the youngest sister—Stella—was still staring at the floor.

“I got these bouquets for you two,” he began, handing the smaller bouquet to Stella and the bigger one to Ava.

Stella was too shy to even look at the flowers, while Ava only smiled politely.

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Ava said.

“Do you like the flowers?” he asked, in a bid to start a conversation.

He watched Ava nudge her sister, who perked up immediately.

“Indeed, Your Grace. They are beautiful yellow blooms.”

Edwin noted how mechanical she sounded, as though she had been trained to only say these polite things.

He finally took his seat. “Miss Stella, I am not quite certain if you are aware, but I am interested in courting you.”

That finally caused Stella to look up at him. However, the moment their eyes met, she looked away, fear evident in her gaze.

“I am pleased to hear that, Your Grace,” she mumbled.

“I believe you are the perfect match for me. After all, I am familiar with your family, especially since my friend, the Duke of Mayfield, married your sister. However, I think it is only right that I first ask you before I speak to your father.”

“Uh…” Stella muttered some words that he did not quite catch.

She seemed far too terrified of him to even string a coherent statement.

“Are you saying that you’re only interested in Stella because your friend is married to our sister?” Ava asked, her eyes flashing with irritation.

Edwin was not quite certain, but the way she asked the question told him that he had said the wrong thing.

“Not quite, Miss Jennings,” he replied. “I simply mean that I am already familiar with your family.”

“And it is because of this familiarity that you have decided to court my sister?” she pressed, her voice rising slightly.

“I suppose,” he relented. “I would rather court a lady from a family I am familiar with.”

“Do you not think that you are far too old for Stella?” She arched an eyebrow.

Edwin was taken aback. However, he maintained his composure.

“I suppose some might say I am, but even you will agree that I am a good prospect for your sister,” he argued. “I have not seen other dukes lining up to court her.”

Ava blinked rapidly.

I seem to have struck a nerve.

“You should know that I am still the most eligible suitor for your sister.” His lips curled into a smile.

Her jaw tightened. “Perhaps my sister does not want you or any other duke?”

“Perhaps it would be far better if you let your sister speak for herself,” he retorted. “After all, she has debuted and can make these decisions herself.”

Her eyes narrowed on him, but he was not fazed. Instead, he simply turned to Stella, who looked ready to jump out of her seat at any moment.

“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.

Lord Notley gasped. “You are right, Your Grace, and I shall nip this in the bud right at this moment.”

“I certainly hope you can,” Edwin drawled.

He shook his head dramatically and gave Ava a rather devilish smile before walking away. Behind him, he could hear the Viscount yelling at her, and that pleased him immensely.

Since she had chosen to be so hostile to him, he was certain that a thorough scolding from her father would soften her demeanor. Moreover, he had enjoyed their banter, and there was no better way to heighten the tension than by getting her father to fight for him.