Page 12 of Adoringly, Edward
Her mother took her by the shoulders and squeezed. “We areWinfields! We take what we want and forge our own path. You will have that man eating out of the palm of your hand before you’re done with him.”
Her eyes smarted at her mother’s kind words, and she threw her arms around her shoulders. “What would I do without you?”
“I am your mother. We are on the same side, darling. And we will see this succeed.”
She hoped so with all her heart. She couldn’t bear the thought of being the reason shadows were cast upon her family. She would fix this. Somehow, everything would work out fine.
Over the course of days, Edward avoided Clara. But truly, he needn’t even bother, as she was far too busy taking over the preparations for the party that it took every ounce of her attention. And when the day finally arrived, he couldn’t help but feel smug satisfaction when society expected him to play the attentive host as lord of the house, and Clara had no excuse to lock him away in his room.
A shaky exhale escaped him when his head felt too light, and his heart misbehaved. But this time, he wasn’t sure if it was due to his condition or from nerves.
Was the masked woman going to show up?
If so, who was she? Would he recognize her?
He stood at the opposite end of the ballroom, watching as guests entered with excitement written on their faces. They reveled at the wintry decorations of pine and red berries, at the music drifting elegantly through the large room, at the mountains of refreshments servants offered on silver platters. He tried to look past the sea of green, blue, and purple skirts, past the gentlemen escorting their ladies inside, and studied each face.
His gaze quickly flitted over blonde hair and remained longer on the brunettes. After greeting dozens of guests, his hopes deflated when he didn’t recognize any of them as his mystery woman.
A servant passed by with a glass of wine. He reached for the stem of the glass and threw it back quickly before Cedric managed to snatch it away.
The man in question held out a hand as if he’d been in the process of reaching for it, but then his lips pressed together, and he took several steps back, his gaze staring ahead.
Alcohol made his condition worse. But tonight, he needed it. Otherwise, he wasn’t sure how to survive his nerves.
“There you are!” Uncle Maxwell’s voice boomed excitedly across the room as he approached with outstretched arms, pulling him in for a brief embrace. “You have a talent for blending in with the wall.”
Edward chuckled, his nerves dissolving the slightest bit with the comfort of his uncle’s presence. The man had been like a second father since his own had passed years ago. “I wasn’t sure you would make it. I thought you were on a trip across the sea.”
He clapped him on the shoulder and downed a drink himself. “I returned two days ago. Wouldn’t want to miss my nephew’s party. They happen only once in an eon.” His attentionperked up as if he spotted someone across the room. “I’ll find you later. I have to catch up with a few friends.”
His uncle squeezed his shoulder before weaving through the crowd in the opposite direction.
The scent of sweet pastries wafted past Edward’s nose, and he snatched one from a platter as well, nibbling on it to give him something to do other than fret. If he didn’t find the womantonight, he likely would have no chance at all.
“You look strung tight,” a voice said behind him, and he spun around to find a familiar head of blond hair and blue eyes staring back at him.
“Thank the stars you’re here,” he groaned. “I thought I’d have to face this alone.”
“This as in meeting your mystery woman?” Barnaby chuckled, his eyes scanning the growing crowd. “Is she here?”
Edward shrugged. “I don’t know.” But then he scratched his arm anxiously. “I would recognize her if she was, wouldn’t I? Or do you think I’ve already forgotten what she looks like?”
“I highly doubt you’ve forgotten. But it certainly makes things difficult if you’ve only really seen the bottom half of her face.”
He groaned again, running his fingers through his hair, when he thought of something else to churn his stomach into a tangled mess. What ifshehad forgotten him? Weeks had passed. And although she’d been on his mind every single day, he worried the memory of him had slipped her mind entirely.
“I think I might be sick.”
Barnaby slapped him on the shoulder. “Hold it together for a little longer. People are still arriving.”
Taking a long, deep breath, he stood straighter and greeted more guests. It was only a matter of time before she showed up. Surely.
Vivienne smoothed her hair for the dozenth time. She fixed her bodice, struggling to breathe when everything felt far too tight. She pinched her cheeks when her churning stomach had stolen all traces of color from her face and left her with a pale complexion.
Her mind was in a daze as she exited the carriage in the darkness of night and stared back at a beautiful estate surrounded by dazzling pines, flickering torchlight, and a warm, welcoming feel to the exterior of the large home.
Taking a deep breath, she smoothed down her dress as she allowed a servant to take her cloak, and then she stepped inside.
