Page 67 of Hawthorne

“She’s beautiful,” he comments, extending his hand so she can sniff it.

“She’s the kindest of them all as well.”

“Camilla, hi,” Karl’s voice sounds.

Looking to our side, we watch him emerge from the back. His checkered shirt is unbuttoned at the top, with his chest glistening with sweat. He’s smiling at me, and I wave at him before answering, “Hi!”

“Hello,” Edgar greets, his voice deeper than just a few moments ago.

“Oh, Your Grace,” he greets with a surprised look. “I’m sorry. I didn’t notice Camilla had company.”

I steal a glance at Edgar, but the only thing that moves in his body is the eyebrow quirking up and his eyes scouring the man from top to bottom.

“Lovely Camilla here was showing me around since my brother is too busy,” Edgar answers curtly.

“I see,” Karl answers before turning his attention to me. “How are you today?”

What surprises me is not Edgar’s sudden cold demeanour when he talks to Karl but the way he places his left arm around my shoulders before I even have time to answer Karl.

What’s happening?

“Good,” I finally answer. “Thank you. And you?”

“All good,” his words come out slow.

Karl is looking in our direction, but he’s not looking at our faces. Instead, it looks like he’s focused right over my shoulder.

At the hand that’s squeezing it.

“Would you like to ride one of our horses?” I chime in when the silence stretches for too long and becomes uncomfortable.

Then Karl adds, “Maybe New Moon? She’s great for beginners.”

“I’m not a beginner,” Edgar scoffs. “I’ve known how to ride a horse since I was six years old.”

“I’m sorry.” Karl bows his head. “I didn’t think—”

“Of course not,” he cuts him off. “Camilla, darling, I want you to show me the Romantic Gardens. We’ll be more...comfortable there.”

Karl’s eyes widen, and he looks at me for a moment too long.

“I—” I stammer for a second, not knowing what to do.

The trance only ends when Karls silently leaves the stables, and I finally focus on Edgar.

“What was that?” I can’t help but sound irked, but this kind of behaviour is not only unacceptable but also dangerous.

If Vincent finds out–

“Well, you had asked if I had found something I don’t like. I think I just did,” Edgar admits, and at the same time, he fits his hands inside his pockets. “The way Karl-boy looked at you over there,” he tsks.

“He didn’t look at me in any way,” I counter. “He’s just nice.”

“You’re too kind-hearted, my dear. But that guy looks at you the same way my brother does. So, think of this as a favour.”

“A favour?”

“Yeah. This way you can keep yourthingiewith my brother because the staff will think you’re with me. No suspicions will arise,” he whispers before sporting a smirk.

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