Edwin clenched his mouth and would not look at her. But finally, he said, “Miss Lydia, you are correct I must address those words I spoke to you that day. However, I have been avoiding the issue because… because I got carried away that afternoon and spoke words I should not have. They were inappropriate andreckless.”
“Reckless? And how is that?” Lydia asked her heart racing and a cold sweat forming on her palms. “Are you saying the words were insincere? You did not mean them?” Lydia wasaghast.
“I did mean them at the time, but upon reflection, I have seen I should not have spoken to you in thatmanner.”
“And why, if they reflect your truefeelings?”
“Because we must work together. I greatly value what you have to offer my projects, and any emotional entanglements could destroy what we hope to accomplishtogether.”
“And what do you do with those feelings? Ignore them? Smother them? Numb them withdrink?”
“I must have mistaken my warm feelings for you as a co-worker with a mistaken idea that it was a romance. Pleaseforgiveme.”
To her, this did not ring entirely true. He was evading. Lydia had to ask. “Does this have anything to do with your mother? Is she insisting you marry MissStafford?”
Edwin wassilent.
“Edwin. Please answer metruthfully.”
“That is partially true. I have come to realize I have family obligations that supersede any personal feelings Imighthave.”
“Then the feelings you have for me are genuine, but you must ignore them becauseofduty?”
Edwin’s jaw clenched. “You must forgive me. I have many issues I must attend to yet this afternoon. I am delighted that you have returned to Honeyfield, and I look forward to moving ahead in our working relationship. However, I really have nothing more to say about my misadventure. I regret if you formed any false expectations, and if so, I greatly apologize. Good day, Miss Lydia. And I shall speak to my mother about taking on your mother as hercompanion.”
Edwin then turned and walked into thehouse.
