The flowers that lined the park’s pathway only served to remind Arthur of the ball, when he had promised Diana that he held only the most honorable intentions. He had planned to speak to his parents that night about marrying her, but his plans were lost.
“Well, the past is gone,” Miss Edge said suddenly. “You have a fantastic opportunity to create a new life, do you not?”
“Perhaps.” Arthur did not explain that he could not start anew yet. Not without trying to discover whether the woman he had left behind was still waiting for him.
For a moment, Arthur thought he noticed disappointment and impatience in Miss Edge’s countenance. He dismissed it as his own; he was, after all, more interested in pursuing his desires than escorting a woman he did not know through a park.
It was unfair to Miss Edge, he knew. Yet Arthur desperately wanted to excuse himself in favor of finding the elusive Miss Diana St. Clair. He worried that every passing moment was another that would convince her he was a rake and a liar, if she did not believe so already.
“I believe it would be nice to return to the night of the ball,” Miss Edge said primly. “Perhaps then, I could make a better impression.”
“I am sure you did,” Arthur said quickly. “My pursuits for the past five years have left little time for fond reflection. I have forgotten much.”
“Though not an odd last name,” Miss Edge remarked. She was more forward than Arthur expected, and he wondered if it was simply his experience that colored his reaction.
Arthur shook his head. “It will take some acclimation to fit into the place I occupied before.”
“You will have no issue, I think. My estimation is that you are a true gentleman,” Miss Edge said confidently.
Arthur was unsure what to say. He felt as if he were out of his depth; nothing about the exchange was like the words he had shared with Miss St. Clair. He settled for a simple, “I am honored.”
Whether Miss Edge was disappointed or not was a mystery, but Arthur did not mind. He was reminded again of how captivating Miss St. Clair had been; how her attention had seemed warm and pure.
Arthur had never believed in true love, as some of his cousins had giggled about when they were children. He had not believed until he met Miss St. Clair, whose beauty and grace had so utterly charmed him that he found it impossible to forget her.
“Perhaps this was an inopportune occasion for a meeting,” Miss Edge said, suddenly slowing to a halt.
Arthur frowned as he matched Miss Edge’s pace. “Miss Edge?”
“Lord Hyatt, I appreciate that you have humored me this morning. But it seems to me that you would rather be elsewhere or retiring to your quarters.”
“Well. It was not my intention to be rude,” Arthur replied, uncertain. He did not think he had said anything to the effect, but perhaps he had made a misstep along the way.
Miss Edge smiled carefully. “I understand. You must still be exhausted from your journey home. I hope that we might meet another time, when you are perhaps recovered and attentive.”
Arthur was shocked by Miss Edge’s remark. He could not look to his mother or Mrs. Edge for direction in this setting; they were a few steps away and made no move to join the conversation. Arthur was certain he had not been rude, but Miss Edge was clear with her declaration.
“Then I suppose we will meet again,” Arthur finally said. “I wish you the best, Miss Edge.”
“And you as well,” Miss Edge said, tipping her head gently. “We should return to the house now.”
“Of course.” Arthur led the way back toward the house, unease settling in his chest. If he could not carry a simple conversation with a young woman, he feared he would be entirely undesirable to Miss St. Clair, if he could even find her again.
Arthur silently determined that he would do his utmost to prepare himself for meeting Miss St. Clair again. He would find her no matter the obstacles, and he would prove he had never forgotten her. Not for a single day.
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About Lucinda Nelson
Lucinda Nelson has grown up and now lives in Concord, New Hampshire.
She has studied and worked as a librarian and her meticulous research in History inspired an everlasting love for Historical Romance.
She discovered Bronte Sisters at her early teens and she has been fond of heroines like Jane Eyre, ever since.
She finally got the guts to participate on a writing contest on 2017. From right then she decided that plotting romances with rakish men and smart, feisty women, was an excitement she couldn’t stay away from. Except the times she is chasing down her two young boys.
Other than writing, Lucinda delights in watching theatrical plays, reading mystery novels and her latest discovery is cake decoration, something that she owes to her sons and her weakness for sweets.
A Short Note About Starfall Publications
Starfall Publications has helped me, like so many other successful Romance writers to extend my writing to you.
Quality is the company’s main focus and I’m honored to be able to publish my books under their name.
With that said, I would like to thank Starfall Publications for giving me the opportunity to work with them, making it possible for me to make my dream come true.
The Roguish Ways of a Hopeless Duke Page 29