“Surely you have not forgotten that we are due in the drawing room in half an hour,” Edmund said.
Selina hadn’t taken many of the items on the list seriously, half-hoping her mother wouldn’t mind her absence. She glanced at the scheduled activity for that afternoon with a grimace.
Return to the Frost Fair in the company of Mrs. Perry and Miss Perry.
Edmund raised his eyebrows, awaiting her reply.
Selina couldn’t help but hold Edmund responsible for this list’s existence. Mama had never done it before, but she was suddenly eager to be organized and to keep the household busy during the holidays—if only to impress Edmund and outdo Mrs. Perry. Mama had spent the previous afternoon calling on her neighbors to tell them how fascinating the fair had been. Selina should have known Mama would wish to take Mrs. Perry on the ice to show her all that she had been second to experience.
Containing her exasperated sigh, Selina slid away from the door and walked several paces away from Edmund. “How could I forget the list?” Her voice was sharper than she intended, but she couldn’t help but feel vexed. Noah would be wondering where she was. With Edmund here, would she have to explain her absence more than once? Frustration burned behind her skin, growing hotter as she caught a hint of a smile on Edmund’s lips as he adjusted his cravat.
“Do take care to watch your feet this time,” he said in a low voice. “If you were to fall on top of me again, people may begin to wonder if it is intentional.”
Selina’s jaw nearly unhinged as she watched Edmund walk away as if he hadn’t just said anything improper—as if he were an entirely innocent, noble gentleman who would never operate under any guise. He stopped by the banister and motioned her forward with a polite smile, his blue eyes clear and bright . . . and far more watchful than she would have liked.
If she was to be forced into going to the Frost Fair with the Perrys, she would have to fetch a different bonnet, one better equipped to protect her from the wind. Grumbling under her breath, she mounted the first four stairs, turning to face Edmund on the fifth. She had once been quite skilled at holding her tongue, especially around Edmund when they had been much younger, but now that he seemed to have forgotten that skill himself, she couldn’t stop her words from escaping. “Why are you so eager to accommodate my mother’s list?”
“Not to do so would be quite impertinent. I am her guest, and she has offered me a great deal of hospitality.” Edmund’s posture straightened. “I would never disobey the wishes of someone who has treated me with such kindness and generosity. Mrs. Ellis has always seemed like a mother to me. For that reason alone, I would obey her wishes.”
Selina felt every word as they stabbed into her chest. Edmund had known they would if his unyielding stare was any indication. Did he still believe her desire to marry Noah was based solely on a desire to disobey her mother? How could he not see that she was in love with Noah? She wrung her fingers together, giving Edmund a brief nod. “I too should hate to be discourteous.” She lifted her chin, lowering her voice. “After all, soon enough I will be married and visiting this home as a guest; if I wish to be welcomed here as Mrs. Skinner, then I ought to conduct myself kindly over the holidays.” Selina gave a warm smile in exchange for Edmund’s frown before turning on her heel. She marched up the stairs to her bedchamber, closing the door behind her.
Having Edmund here would be more difficult than she had thought. Perhaps she could communicate with Noah through letters instead. There had to be other ways to meet him without Edmund discovering them. She had always had a quick imagination and a knack for creativity. Surely she would find a way.
Taking a deep breath, she replaced her bonnet and straightened her pelisse, then pulled her gloves up higher on her wrists. With Edmund and Mrs. Perry and her unattached daughter in attendance, the fair was sure to be even more interesting than the last time.
“I have often pondered on the methods of dying I would least prefer.” Miss Ruth Perry’s soft voice floated up to Edmund’s ear. She clung tightly to his arm as her feet moved slowly over the ice. Her expression was smooth and contemplative, not betraying a hint of fear—only deep thought. “I have decided that I would much rather freeze to death than burn. The effect of the cold ice on the skin would soon numb the senses.” She glanced at him with wide brown eyes, two locks of auburn hair escaping her hat. “Would you agree?”
“I must admit I haven’t given much thought to the topic, but I suppose you are right.” Edmund smiled. Though Miss Perry was certainly an interesting walking companion, Edmund kept his eyes fixed on Selina, who walked just a few paces ahead of them. He didn’t expect Mr. Skinner to be at the fair again, but Selina was known for her attempts at sneaking away.
Though it was on Mrs. Ellis’s list, Edmund hadn’t been fond of the idea of coming to a place as public as the Frost Fair. If Mr. Skinner knew that Edmund was staying with the Ellises—his grandmother’s will would be turned to ash, and Selina would make the worst mistake of her life. It would help matters if Selina was a little less stubborn.
Edmund tried to take a calming breath, but the frigid air was heavy in his lungs.
Just ahead of Selina, Mrs. Ellis stood with her arm linked through Mrs. Perry’s, though she was far more concerned with Edmund and Miss Perry than she was with her own companion. Mrs. Ellis’s eyes flitted to her daughter behind her.
“My dear Selina, why don’t you take Sir Edmund’s other arm? I fear you will slip and fall again.” She turned to Mrs. Perry. “Oh, you should have seen how gallant Sir Edmund was that day. He saved my daughter from a terrible accident on the ice.”
Selina glanced in Edmund’s direction, her mother’s sharp eye still fixed on her. “Go on, my dear. I shall not rest until I know you are in such capable hands again. We are walking on the River Thames, for heaven’s sake. One cannot be too careful.” She let out a shrill laugh for Mrs. Perry before giving Selina yet another pointed look.
Selina finally obeyed, stopping to take Edmund’s right arm. Miss Perry leaned around Edmund with a smile. “Oh, Miss Ellis, you are so fortunate to have come to the Frost Fair twice. I fear I will be unable to experience all it has to offer in one afternoon.”
Selina smiled, but a hint of frustration still showed in her eyes. “Indeed, it is quite spectacular.”
Edmund watched the lines in her brow return as she faced forward once again, where Miss Perry couldn’t see her. She likely didn’t know Edmund was watching, otherwise, she wouldn’t have let her emotions show on her face. She didn’t appear angry or frustrated anymore, but rather concerned. Was she worried about what Skinner would think of her absence? It would do him good to worry over the security of Selina’s money coming into his possession. The reminder of Edmund’s conversation with Skinner made his vision blot dark with anger. How could he so spitefully use a young woman like Selina? Every childhood memory Edmund had of Selina testified of a heart that would one day be easily stolen—easily deceived.
When she caught him watching her, she shot a scowl in his direction before fixing her gaze forward. He hadn’t been as discreet as he had planned with his attempts to foil her tête-a-tête this afternoon. Surely she suspected his scheme, and he couldn’t blame her for casting him such a fierce glare. If only he could tell her why he was being so protective, she might realize he didn’t deserve it. She might even thank him.
“Mama!” Miss Perry excused herself from Edmund’s side before walking forward to grasp her mother’s arm. She pointed at the fire far ahead—at the sheep slowly turning on a spit over the open flame. It wouldn’t surprise Edmund if she were asking her mother the same peculiar question she had asked him about her preference for burning or freezing to death. At the moment, Edmund would take either over the deadly daggers Selina was throwing with her gaze.
Edmund cleared his throat, ignoring the look of victory on Mrs. Ellis’s face now that Miss Perry was no longer on Edmund’s arm. He glanced down at Selina. Her cheeks and lips were pink, her blonde curls so
ft on her brow. He never would have imagined such a pretty face to be capable of such a dastardly glare.
“I cannot help but feel that you are upset with me.” Edmund barely withheld a teasing tone from his voice.
Selina’s frown persisted. “What has given you that indication?”
“Your reluctance to take my arm, your silence on the drive here, and the way you continue staring at me as if you wish that I was that sheep.” He nodded toward the fire burning hot beneath the roasted animal.
Her lips pinched together as she fought a smile—likely brought on by the accuracy of his words.
“I take it you were quite disappointed to not be visiting Miss Brisbane,” Edmund said.
Selina’s blue eyes met his, a crease still between them. “You know I was not visiting Miss Brisbane. If it was Miss Brisbane I was visiting, you would not have stopped me.” She faced forward once again.
Edmund bit his lower lip. If he made an enemy of Selina already, she would be even more eager to sneak away with Skinner. There was a fine balance he needed to find between being her friend and still keeping her away from Skinner. He had been failing at the former already. “You know,” he said, “everything is worth far more at the Frost Fair.”
“So I have heard.”
Edmund followed her gaze to where an elderly woman walked away from a booth wearing a new pair of gloves, a tag hanging off the side displaying the lofty price.
“So . . . you might be keen to accept my apology here, where it’s worth at least thrice its value.”
Her eyes flitted up to his.
“I am sorry for interfering in your affairs more than I ought to.” He held his breath. He nearly told her he wouldn’t do it again, but he wasn’t a liar. Skinner, however, was one, and that was why he refused to make any undue promises.
Selina studied his face for a long moment. “I’m afraid I cannot afford such an expensive apology.”
“I offer it at no cost.”
“With you, there always seems to be a cost.” She eyed him carefully. “Perhaps you are using this apology as a means of buying my trust? Encouraging me to turn a blind eye to your schemes against Mr. Skinner and me?” Her voice was barely audible as they approached the other three women who had stopped at the end of a line to purchase tea.
Edmund clamped his mouth shut. Selina was more observant than he had given her credit for.
Before they could finish their conversation, Mrs. Perry turned to face him, a bright smile on her cheeks. She had auburn hair much like her daughter, with eyes just as round, and a similarly petite stature. Aside from at least twenty years of age, Mrs. Perry’s meddlesome smile and the competitive spark in her eye were the things that differentiated her most from her daughter and related her most to Mrs. Ellis.
“Sir Edmund, are you fond of music?”
Edmund pulled his attention away from Selina, blinking to focus more clearly on Mrs. Perry’s cheerful face. “Indeed, I am.”
“Then you might be delighted to know that my daughter is a very accomplished singer. She was asked to perform in the home of the Duchess of Rye.”
Miss Perry beamed at the praise.
“Is that so, Miss Perry? I may have to press you for a performance before I leave London.” Edmund smiled politely. Mrs. Perry’s chin lifted in Mrs. Ellis’s direction.
“If Sir Edmund has time to hear such a performance,” Mrs. Ellis blurted with a stiff smile. “He is our guest for several weeks and we have many activities to fit into such a short time.”
“You mustn’t bring such a charming man into the neighborhood and expect to hide him away.” Mrs. Perry chuckled. “Oh, no, you must allow us all to share in Sir Edmund’s company.” Her gaze slid to her daughter.
Mrs. Ellis’s face darkened a shade, her eyes narrowing slightly as she seemed to gather her composure. Edmund glanced down at Selina, who seemed prepared to act as second to a duel at any moment.
“Well, Sir Edmund is so amiable and such a dear and lifelong friend of my family that I doubt he would ever object to distributing his company equally among all those of my acquaintance who might desire it.” Mrs. Ellis’s voice picked up speed. “As he is spending Christmas with us this year, his company will primarily be enjoyed by my daughter, as she and Sir Edmund have been acquainted since childhood. If you would like, you may join us for our Christmas day feast where my cook’s famous plum pudding will be served.” She paused, taking a breath. “The Duke of Rye once came to dine at our house and inquired after my cook’s particularly unique method.”
Selina’s brow furrowed as she watched her mother, her gaze darting up to Edmund and back again.
“I have never seen a woman so proud of plum pudding,” Edmund whispered for just Selina to hear.
She exhaled sharply. “She has never been so proud before.”
“I take it the Duke has never dined at your house?”
“Never.” Selina glanced up, a look of bewilderment widening her eyes.
Edmund suppressed his smile, catching sight of a faint one on Selina’s lips. If she could manage to share in his amusement, then perhaps she didn’t hate him as much as he thought. His apology might have been accepted after all. He watched the side of her face, his gaze settling on the dimple in her round cheek that flickered in and out as she fought against her smile. As a boy, he had teased her about that dimple, but now it occurred to him that he might have found it just as lovely then as he did now.
Her eyes met his again before leaping away. She looked down at her boots as her mother and Mrs. Perry fought, in a roundabout way, over whose daughter would capture Edmund’s attention. Edmund swallowed against his dry throat, turning to face the quarreling women, driving the image of Selina’s smile from his mind.
If he wasn’t careful, that fight would end in Mrs. Ellis’s swift victory.
Chapter 6
How many miles can Mrs. Perry really walk on the ice? The woman had insisted they stay at the fair much longer than Selina had anticipated, attempting to visit almost every booth and attraction the fair had to offer. By the time the group finally made their way back to the coach, Selina was in great danger of her plan not working. If Mrs. Perry hadn’t worn herself out at the fair, then she surely would have been successful.
What harm would it do to ask?
Selina stopped outside the first coach, the one she had taken with Edmund and Mama on the way to the fair.
“Miss Perry,” Selina said, tipping her head to one side. “The green ribbon you were admiring . . . the costly one . . . I believe I saw one almost identical to it at the shop on Oxford Street. Shall we all make a stop there before returning home?” She waited, holding the sides of her coat to keep her fingers from their nervous fidgeting. The solicitor’s office was near enough that Selina could sneak away to see Noah while the others were distracted by the ribbons. She avoided Edmund’s gaze as it bore into the side of her face.
Miss Perry turned to her mother with a broad smile. “And the ribbon at the shop is likely to be at least half the price! May we go, Mama? You might even find something to eat in town since the lines were too long at the fair.”
“I am quite starved.” Mrs. Perry smiled at her daughter. “Very well. Let us find this green ribbon. Will you all be joining us?”
Selina could see her mother’s exhaustion as clearly as Mrs. Perry’s, the fatigue of both likely brought on by their attempts to outdo one another more so than the walking. But with Mrs. Perry’s question pointed at Edmund, Mama could have no choice but to accept rather than leave Edmund alone with the Perrys. Selina would have to find a way to make it clear to her mother that she was not interested in marrying Edmund before her hopes became too high. Though Selina feared it was too late for that. Her mother had likely only invited Edmund to stay at all for that very purpose.
Well, Mama would have to be disappointed. Selina would never think of Edmund in that way, no matter how handsome he was. One could be both handsome and irksome, and the latter would alway
s prevail.
“We would be delighted to join you,” Mama said. “If Sir Edmund agrees.”
Edmund nodded with a smile, though Selina doubted he was really so enthusiastic about going shopping in the cold. It was rumored that the streets were covered in nearly as thick a layer of ice as the river.
“We will meet you at the modiste’s,” Mama said, turning to take Edmund’s hand as she entered the coach. Selina rested her hand lightly on his as she stepped inside, catching his gaze briefly. She had never seen a pair of eyes quite so penetrating. There was no question he had guessed her reasoning for wanting to make one more stop. But since he had apologized, she could only hope that he would leave his meddling behind long enough for her to escape to the solicitor’s office.
After several minutes of listening to Mama speak about her Christmastide plans and Selina keeping her legs as stiff as possible to avoid her knees bumping against Edmund’s, they reached their destination. Fresh snow had begun falling, spiraling down in fat flakes onto the icy street.
Inside the modiste shop, Selina led Miss Perry to the spool she had noticed the week before. Fortunately, it was still there, a thick velvet that Selina assured Miss Perry would look striking with her hair.
“I can think of no color that would complement your features better,” Selina said. “Do you agree, Sir Edmund?” She glanced up at him from his place beside her—the place he had failed to leave for the last ten minutes.
He nodded, smiling down at Miss Perry. “And surely the price seems quite reasonable after what you saw at the fair.”
“Indeed! How could it not?”
As Miss Perry continued speaking with Edmund, Selina backed away a few steps, eyeing the door, then Mama and Mrs. Perry, who stood near the ribbons as well. Both women were distracted enough by the attention Edmund was paying Miss Perry to allow Selina to sneak out.
Thankfully there wasn’t a bell to betray her exit, so she hurried down the street as fast as the ice and snow would allow, wrapping her coat more tightly around herself. She had only a few short minutes to speak with Noah. If she could catch his attention from his window in his office, he might come out to meet her so she could explain why she hadn’t come for their usual visit.
Her Silent Knight: A Christmas Regency Romance (Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair Book 1) Page 4