Lord Aubrey shifted down to make room for her beside him, but she chose to sit next to Priscilla instead. “Here is your swan, Priscilla.”
“You found it?” The girl’s eyes shone with relief.
But Eden could not quite get herself to tell a falsehood, so she simply related the truth. “No, sweetheart. When I told the glassblower about the lost swan, he gave me this beautiful one instead. Here it is with his warm regards. He hopes you will love this one, the sister to the first, because this swan needs love, too.”
Priscilla was not certain what to make of this. “But it is just made of glass. It doesn’t have a heart.”
“Perhaps not a heart as we know it, but all things respond to affection. Did you know that flowers do better when people talk to them?”
She nodded. “Grandmama talks to them all the time.”
“See?” Eden smiled at the girl. “Swans are no different, whether real or made of glass.”
Priscilla nodded and gave her a hug. “Then I will love it. I already do. Thank you, Eden.”
Crisis averted as Priscilla now happily showed off her bracelet and the swan to everyone at the table. “It is quite beautiful,” Lord Aubrey said, taking a long moment to admire the swan. “And what did Lady Eden get for herself?”
“She didn’t get anything,” Priscilla replied.
“Oh, that cannot be right.” He rose from the bench and came around to stand by her side. “May I escort you back to the glassblower’s stall?”
Eden did not wish to be in his company, but everyone was watching her and she did not want them to see how hurt and miserable she felt. Her heart was as fragile as that glass swan, so easily shattered. “It isn’t necessary.”
Lord Aubrey’s eyes darkened. “On the contrary, I think it is quite necessary. Come with me…please, Lady Eden.”
She glanced around the table, saw Persephone’s smug expression and Connor’s resigned glance. Yes, he was resigned to endure all of them for the duration of the house party, and then he would take himself off with his fellow Silver Dukes to do whatever these men enjoyed doing when on the prowl. Persephone would be forgotten, but so would she. “All right.”
Lord Aubrey offered his arm to escort her through the throng, but slowed his steps as they approached the glassblower’s tent. “You are upset with me.”
She glanced at him, sparing but a moment before looking away again. “What makes you say that?”
“Look at me, Eden.” He sighed when she did not. “Fine, it is obvious you will not look at me. But I’ve seen enough to know that you are tense and resentful over something I might have done. If I am at fault, it was inadvertent, I assure you. Please tell me straight out, have I done something to anger you?”
“I am just tired, that’s all.”
“If you say so. I know this is no place to talk privately, but give me a few moments after tonight’s dinner party. Take a walk with me in the garden.” When she said nothing, he led her into the tent and insisted she look through the objects on display. “How about this glass dog? I know how much you cared for your Beauregard.”
She turned to him in surprise. “You know about my dog?”
He nodded. “Your mother talks a lot. Mostly about herself, but she did manage to tell me a little about you when I asked.”
“Why did you bother?”
“Eden, I like you. Is it not obvious? I meant it sincerely when I said that I would like to get to know you better. Was I too presumptuous? I will take it slower, if this makes you feel more comfortable. But I have only a few more days here and would like to spend as much time with you as I can.”
Oh, yes.He wanted to worm his way into her heart and then drop her like a stone as soon as his sister had succeeded in her purpose. Was it mean of her to be glad Connor did not like Persephone? Was it mean to hope the girl would break out in hives and be confined to her bedchamber for the remainder of the house party?
She hated to wish ill on anyone, but jealousy did this to a person. Not even she was immune.
“Thank you for the little dog,” she said, smiling sincerely because it was a perfect gift even if he was a liar and a hound himself.
“My pleasure.”
They caught up to the others, who were making their way through the fair. She showed the little group what Lord Aubrey had purchased for her, trying not to wince as everyone gushed over it, especially Priscilla, who assured her it was as beautiful as her swan.
The men volunteered for several more games, including an arm-wrestling competition between Lord Aubrey and Connor. “Do not hurt him, Trajan,” Persephone called out to her brother. “His Grace needs to dance with me tonight.”
“Papa can beat you,” Alex assured Lord Aubrey.
