And really, she did want to tell him all of her thoughts and feelings about the whole ordeal with her sister.But it felt so raw.
She had just read the note from her sister a couple of days ago.By now, surely the two were married.But to think that Seraphina had married Sebastian, Duke of Ravenshire, was preposterous.
Sebastian had caught her own eye earlier in the season, but any time Lenora mentioned interest in him, Seraphina had forbidden her to have any contact with him.At first Lenora had thought it was just his horrendous reputation amongst theton, but now that the two were eloping, she knew better.
Well, she still didn’t know anything, but soon enough she would query Seraphina until all her questions were satisfied.But it didn’t really make a difference because regardless of how many questions were answered, there was only one answer that mattered.And that was that Lenora was now alone.
She had always had Seraphina.Even though she was two years older than her, Seraphina had taken her everywhere.Done everything with her.Ran through the fields on a summer day.Built a fort out of old logs.Learned to bake cookies together.Taught her how to dance.
And just recently their mother had passed away leaving their father lost in his grieving and talking about traveling to get away from it all.All of it, which Lenora had just recently been made privy to know included a debt that Seraphina had paid somehow.
Seraphina was going to get married.Leaving Lenora all alone.The last thing she wanted in life was to be left alone.
It had been a distraction—a pleasurable one—to consider garnering the attention of Sebastian.It was like a small challenge amidst so much pain that she couldn’t resist.
The thing was, Sebastian had made a bit of an impact on her, and she was having a hard time getting over him.The man wasn’t just handsome, he was drop your fan, bat your lashes, sashay past him good looking.All actions, by the by, that Seraphina had prohibited.
“She should have told me,” she said on hushed tones.
“Yes.She should have.”Edward’s hand gave hers a tight squeeze.
“I would never leave her out of something so monumental.”She blinked hard, holding back her tears.
“I know.”
The music came to an end.
Blinking hard to back any further annoying tears, she said, “Now.Go dance with my cousin Mirabelle.She’s a terrible wingwoman.I think she brought a book this evening and hasn’t had a partner all night.I’m going to freshen up.”Lord only knew how flushed her cheeks might be, or how red-rimmed her eyes might look.
“I’ll find you later.”
She mumbled back, “I know.You always will.”
Chapter 2
“Howlonghaveyoubeen in love with her?”
Edward tripped over his foot at Mirabelle’s bold question.“What?I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”Denial.That was a tried and true form of answering a question one had no intention of actually answering.
“What’s she doing right now?”
“I have no idea who you’re referring to.”
“You know.”She gave him a pointed look.
“I don’t know—”
“I may be a spinster nearing thirty who will soon have to ensnare a man into marriage, but I’m not oblivious to love.Especially when the attention is directed at my cousin who I’m an acting chaperone to.She did ask you to dance with me, didn’t she?”
Denial would be a fool’s play at this point, so Edward nodded.
“It’s not the first ball that she’s made that request of you.”
He shook his head.
“So then you might as well answer my questions.”Mirabelle gracefully twirled and when she met him face to face again, tilted her head.“How long?”
If Edward had a free hand, he’d be wiping the lower half of his face right now.Less than a handful of men knew of his true feelings, and he had been working diligently to keep them at bay.
