An Earl for Edith

by Tammi Lee Bird

  “You never know, dear, a man can form an attachment even when he thinks he has no preference. The heart is a capricious organ.” Margaret smiled and patted Edith on her arm. “Now we must prepare for tomorrow. You should wear the blue riding dress with the white trim. It looks lovely on you and enhances your figure. I’ll send my lady’s maid to do your hair, and perhaps she can teach yours a trick or two. Oh, this will be so much fun. I’m so glad I have you with me for the season; otherwise, I’d be dreadfully bored.”

  Edith didn’t want the Earl of Camden to think she was trying to gain his favor by dressing up too much, but at the same time, she couldn’t refuse her aunt’s generous help. Besides, a part of her desperately wanted to look lovely tomorrow.

  Edith quickly retired to her room so she could get enough sleep to look well-rested, but despite her best effort, sleep eluded her. The next morning she had bags under her eyes and a monstrously painful headache. She powered through breakfast hoping food and water would help ease her discomfort. It did abate slightly, but not enough for her to be comfortable. She went back to her room and put a wet cloth over her eyes as she rested.

  Her mind whirled full of ideas. What did Lord Camden want to talk to her about? How long was he staying in London, and what would she say to him when he arrived? After about an hour of quiet darkness, she was feeling good enough to let her aunt’s maid come and start braiding her hair. She’d slept with her hair rolled up in cloth strips so the front was already curled. Margaret’s maid was calm, swift and so professional that she was able to relax without feeling like her hair was being pulled from her head.

  Her hair was put into a high bun with braids crisscrossing around it. The shorter fringe around her face was expertly curled and framed her features. Then a little elderberry was added to her lashes to accentuate their length, and a tiny amount of rouge gave her face depth and color. Her reflection in the mirror was pleasant, almost pretty. She smiled and thanked Milly for all of her hard work before heading down to the drawing-room to wait for callers.

  It was one of their at-home days, and Aunt Margaret was already there with a pot of tea ready for any visitors. They’d had several at-homes since Edith arrived in London, and each time a few people came to chat, mostly old friends of her aunt. Not a single gentleman had called.

  Today was different. Almost as soon as tea time began a string of visitors old, young, male, and female came to talk. Some of the single gentlemen she’d danced with the night before were thoughtful enough to bring her flowers. The prettiest bouquet came with the most handsome face. Sir Archibald offered her a lovely mix of yellow roses, baby’s breath, and lilies. Edith sniffed the flowers and inhaled elegance.

  “Thank you for your offering, Sir Archibald. I especially enjoy lilies. How is your morning going?” she asked. Curious why the perfect Adonis was calling on her.

  “All has been delightful. I’ve also been looking forward to seeing you again ever since our dance last night.” He turned to Aunt Margaret and lifted the corners of his mouth just enough to show off his dimples. “You have a lovely home, Lady Thackeray. The green furnishings complement the purple drapes quite nicely.”

  “Thank you, Sir Archibald. I redecorated after my husband passed. It gave me something to do, you know, to keep my mind off of my grief. I’m sure you understand, having lost two wives.”

  His face clouded and for a moment he seemed less than perfect, even vulnerable. Her aunt, seeing his discomfort, filled the silence by saying, “Speaking of keeping busy, what hobbies do you enjoy?”

  “I’ve never been much of an outdoorsman. I prefer a game of cards ove fishing and hunting. I also enjoy a good book and boxing.”

  He was about to say more when Aunt Margaret cut him off. “Can you hear that? The wind has picked up significantly. I wonder if the weather is about to change?”

  Margaret forced the conversation to inane things like fashion and art for the rest of his visit, and all too soon it was time for Sir Archibald to leave. Edith gave him an encouraging smile as he left, hoping to show that she would enjoy his continued attention in the future. She was too old and plain to be picky about a match, and even a rake was starting to sound like a better option than spinsterhood.

  “You really ought to keep more distance from Sir Archibald, Edith. I don’t want you dancing with him again. If he asks, you should come up with a proper excuse.”

  “I don’t know, he’s better than nothing. Which is what I currently have. Why he is showing any interest in me at all is baffling. It is not like I have a large dowry.” Edith took a sip of camomile tea and picked up a cucumber sandwich as they waited for their next guest.

  She had just taken a rather large bite when the butler announced, “Miles Stirling, the Earl of Camden.”

  Edith choked on a cucumber and coughed until it dislodged. She took a sip of tea to clear her throat when the earl walked up to her and asked if she was ready to go.

  Edith looked to her aunt, unsure if she was supposed to offer him tea before they left. “Of course she is ready. All she needs is her pelisse, which will only take a moment to fetch.” Her aunt quickly rang for a maid and Edith waited in awkward silence, not knowing what to say to the man in front of her.

  Thankfully Aunt Margaret was able to entertain him with stories of her favorite places to visit in the city. Gretchen returned a few minutes later and helped her into her warm wool coat. She also joined them in the carriage as a chaperone. Edith was confident that whatever matter Lord Camden had to discuss would be kept private. Gretchen had never been a gossip.

  A groom helped her up into the carriage, and Edith sat next to her maid and across from Lord Camden. As soon as they left the street, Edith couldn’t hold in her curiosity any longer. “I cannot imagine what could cause you to need to speak with me in private.”

  The earl glanced over to her maid and raised an expressive eyebrow. Edith couldn’t help but smile at his ridiculous gesture. “Don’t worry about Gretchen; she is the soul of discretion.”

  “I made a rash decision and have behaved in a most ungentlemanly manner towards you, Miss Wilson.” Lord Camden cleared his throat. “I acted cowardly and am willing to admit to you my fault, in hopes of reducing your anger and assuaging my guilt.”

  Edith couldn’t remember the last time she’d been truly angry. Sad, upset, invisible, and annoyed were all emotions she felt on a regular basis, but she wasn’t the type to be mad. The earl did not know that, however, and she was willing to pretend offense. Let the man feel a little bad. “What exactly did you do?”

  He shifted uneasily in his seat and looked at her directly in the eyes just long enough for her to feel flushed. “I thought I’d be forced to court you at Avonview. My first marriage was not the happiest, and I have no desire for another unfortunate match. I asked Sir Archibald to pay you attention in the hopes that your matrimonial focus would shift onto him.”

  “You did WHAT?” Edith practically yelled. She thought back to the night before and how nice it had been having someone interested in her. Of course, his attention was fake. No one would love her without an incentive. “What did you offer him in return for this favor? I doubt your goodwill is enough to entice a man to woo a girl like me.” He flinched. It wasn’t going to be anything good. Perhaps she would be angry after all.

  “I offered the man his pick of almost any of my horses if you kiss him in the next two months.” Edith stared at the earl. He couldn’t be serious. Yet his eyes were apologetic and his cheeks were turning red. Was he blushing? She’d never seen a gentleman blush before; he wouldn’t show such emotion if it was all a prank. No, he’d spoken the truth.

  Edith took a calming breath and tried to ground herself in the moment. The carriage seat was lightly padded, the trees outside were bare of leaves due to the season, and wheels caught on every bump. “So why are you telling me all of this now?” she asked. “You can afford to lose a horse or two.”

  “Yes, but you didn’t come to Avonview. It was one
thing to jeopardize your reputation when I thought you were trying to force me into marriage. It is quite another thing to do so after you honorably and kindly set me free by not coming.”

  Edith understood guilt. Mama used it against her all the time growing up. She could tell that Lord Camden was uncomfortable with what he had done, and she was the one who’d started everything off on the wrong foot. If she’d been just a little more self-confident or demanding, she could have stopped her mother from taking her to the middle of nowhere to trap the Earl of Camden.

  “Basically, you found a handsome man to woo me. Danced with me at Almacks, which caused six or seven other eligible gentlemen to notice me, and you feel terrible about it.”

  “Yes. Wait… What?”

  His confusion caused his eyebrows to twitch. Edith had never met someone with such expressive eyebrows before, and it made her smile. Edith was comfortable with Lord Camden. Probably because he’d seen her at her worst and therefore had no good opinion of her that she could ruin. “I’m not upset. If anything, I’m grateful. London was very boring up until yesterday. No one paid me any attention, and I was starting to disappear into the wallpaper waiting for someone to ask me to dance. Now I have a rake chasing after me for a horse and an earl taking me for a ride in Hyde Park, which will no doubt raise me in the estimation of the Ton. I daresay by tomorrow my name will be floating across countless drawing rooms all over London.”

  Lord Camden stared at her, his soulful eyes wide and clear. There was something boyish about his expression. Like a child staring at a frog, trying to understand why it jumped. He leaned ever so slightly forward and changed from sweet to dangerous. His cragged face and large features were close enough to feel the faint movement of air as it left his lungs. Edith’s heart raced as she stared into the green of his eyes and she had an unholy desire to laugh. She hadn’t spoken this truthfully to anyone outside of her family in years, and it felt wonderful.

  Chapter 7

  Miles was baffled. Miss Wilson was smiling up at him, unaffected by his ill use of her and willing to forgive and forget. No, she’d thanked him! She seriously thought that he’d made her season more memorable and thrilling. Miles felt the tension ease from his shoulders as he relaxed, sat back, and felt at peace for the first time in longer than he cared to admit.

  Now that he had unloaded the truth, he realized that there was something different about Miss Wilson. Something about her appearance had changed. “Did you cut your hair? It looks different.”

  “Just a little in the front. I think it softens my features.”

  “I agree, it’s nice.” Miles remembered her reaction to his last compliment and quickly changed the topic. “Unfortunately, I do have one more confession to make and I’m not so sure you will be able to forgive the rest of the bet, Miss Wilson.” He teased her with just enough new information to see curiosity twinkling in her brown eyes. He waited a moment, to prolong the suspense.

  “Don’t stop there, tell me the rest,” Edith demanded.

  “Should you kiss me before Sir Archibald kisses you, you’ll win any horse from my stable, excluding Amadeus.”

  “A horse?” She frowned and tugged on her pelisse. “I’m not the most conventional of ladies, but I’m relatively certain that horses do not fall under the category of proper gifts a single gentleman can give to a single lady.”

  “Precisely. I’d have to propose or risk a scandal, and I’ve already decided I will not do anything further to harm your reputation.” Miles watched her face as she let the information settle in. A pink glow touched her cheeks as she realized the implications.

  “You mean to tell me, that if I were to lean forward right now and kiss you, you would marry me?”

  Her body moved closer as she spoke, and a bump in the road caused her to slide forward. Their knees touched, and Miles quickly moved over to give her more space, not realizing she was practically off the seat. Luckily, her maid caught her before she fell in an undignified heap to the bottom of his carriage. He bit back a laugh at the thought of her indignation in such a position.

  “Are you alright?” he asked. A glare was the only response she deigned to give. He continued by saying, “I apologize if I ruined your attempt to kiss me, just now. I was caught off guard, next time I’ll hold still.”

  She threw her reticule at him, and he jerked his head to the left moments before it would have hit him. The bag landed on the seat next to him and a few coins spilled out. Miles looked at the outrage on Miss Wilson’s face and laughed.

  His merriment died when the maid coughed and pointedly turned her head to the window. They were now in Hyde Park, and several people were staring at him. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed so hard in public.

  Miles tipped his hat to a baroness he recognized and realized it was time for him to stop and talk with people. He introduced Miss Wilson to several matrons they passed along the way and chatted amiably with Marchioness Langley. It wasn’t until they were on the way back to Lady Thackeray’s townhome that they were able to speak again in semi-privacy.

  “Lord Camden, I give you my word that I will not kiss you,” Miss Wilson said solemnly. “I have never thought to earn utter devotion and poetic love. Yet I cannot see myself being happy with a husband who dislikes me. Sir Archibald is another story. I will allow my emotions to dictate my response to him.”

  Miles inspected Miss Wilson’s crooked smile and the corner of his lip curved upwards in response. Her eyes twinkle when she is happy. There is something about her that puts me at ease. When was the last time I was able to so freely converse with a female? Edith Wilson is a good person and a calm and kind soul who won’t demand more from me than I am willing to give. She might even make a good wife.

  No. Stop!

  I don’t need a wife, I don’t need anyone.

  “Are you feeling alright? Did I say something wrong? You look upset.” Miss Wilson tilted her head as she spoke, her brows furrowed, and her nose scrunched as she pursed her lips. “I highly doubt I’ll fall for Sir Archibald, but it is nice to have options. Which is why I’m not going to cross him off as a potential husband until I spend more time with him.”

  She’s right. Options are good, and it would be nice to have a friend. He’d been so close to being forced down the aisle, and it could happen again at any moment. Some harpy could get her claws in him and make Gracie miserable.

  Miles looked Miss Wilson over. He wanted to see her again, so he made a rash decision. “Then I suppose I too must promise not to kiss your lips. That way I will not force your hand. However, I have come to see that I get along well with you, Miss Wilson. I actually enjoyed spending time with you today,” he said honestly. “Why don’t you come to Avonview?”

  Miss Wilson leaned back and raised both of her eyebrows. “Seriously?”

  “Yes. I can show you my horses, so you know what I would be giving up should you kiss Sir Archibald. We could also spend some time together to see if we could be friends.”

  “Seriously! Just a moment ago you told me that you made a bet in order to stop me from pursuing you. Now you want me to give up my Season in London—possibly the only chance I’ll have at getting married and having a family of my own—to be your friend.”

  “I didn’t think about that. To be fair, if we do get along, I would marry you. My mother has been trying to convince me to remarry for years, and while I will never fall in love again, it would be nice to spend my days with someone. If we were friends, I think it wouldn’t be a bad match. How firm are you on wanting romantic love?”

  Her mouth moved slightly as though she was talking to herself. Her expressive face reflected her thoughts. “As I said before, I never thought I would inspire love and devotion. I’ve dreamed of those things. I want them, but reality is not always kind. I think I could be happy with a companionable husband. In truth, that has been my goal for many years.”

  “Then let me ask again. Will you come to Avonview?”

  She swallowed
slowly and took a deep breath.“I would like to. I’m not sure if Aunt Margaret is up for a long trip. Her hip has been bothering her lately, and if it snows again then I most definitely cannot come…” She trailed off for a moment. “I’ll ask my aunt and see. Though it will waste all of my newfound popularity here in London.”

  The carriage stopped in front of Lady Thackeray’s house. Miles stepped out of the carriage and walked around to the other side and helped Miss Wilson down. She put her gloved hand in his and, strangely enough, he didn’t want to let go. He enjoyed the feel of her small hand in his. He held on for several seconds longer than was proper. Miss Wilson noticed and pulled her hand away. “You have given me much to think about,” Miss Wilson said. “Should I travel to your country estate; both my aunt and my mother will have expectations. Mama could try something ridiculous again before we have decided on a course of action, and I fear I won’t be able to stop her.”

  “Yes, I remember you saying something about not being able to say no to her.”

  Miss Wilson stopped a few feet from the entrance to the townhouse. “Precisely. Do you still want me to come?”

  Her brown eyes bored into him. Was he willing to take that risk? He’d had a pleasant time with her, and he’d started thinking that a marriage of convenience might not be so bad. But if he was going to marry again, it would be on his terms. He would have to be sure that they got along well, but that she didn’t fall in love. Her mother could ruin everything. There were plenty of other women around who would be willing to be his countess. He just needed to find someone who would be kind to Grace and didn’t loathe him. But he trusted Miss Wilson and his trust was hard to earn.

  “I would still like you to visit my home,” he replied.

  Miss Wilson nodded and began walking again. Once she reached the door, he gave her a bow and said his farewell. The ride back to Rose’s place seemed longer than it actually was. He kept going over his conversation with Miss Wilson. What had gotten into him? It wasn’t like him to tease others or to laugh because of a young lady. He also wasn’t the type to make hollow promises, which meant he’d have to take his words to heart and follow through. If he got along as well with her at Avonview as he had in London, then marriage wouldn’t be too horrible.