Page 47 of Adoringly, Edward
He leaned more heavily on his cane as if he struggled to stand, speaking close to her ear. “The night of the masquerade, you were everything I never knew I wanted. I had the ring commissioned long before today.” He chuckled before adding, “Even if I wasn’t sure I would ever marry with my condition.”
Her eyes smarted. “I could kiss you right now.”
“Don’t do it,” he warned playfully. “You’ll cause a scandal.” But then he shrugged. “Or do it. What’s one more?”
Temptation burned with the passion staring back at her through his eyes. She might have kissed him if Cedric hadn’t approached with a soft armchair the moment Edward’s legs collapsed on him.
The servant made the collapse look natural, as if Edward had planned to sit right then. No one seemed to notice, and she tried not to make a big deal of it as she also took the chair another servant offered to remain by Edward’s side.
She glanced at him from the corner of her eye as he continued to converse with members of court, worry knotting her stomach. Fatigue rested heavy beneath his eyes. But the beaming smile on his face spoke volumes at how much he enjoyed being out and about in society.
When they married, she would make sure he had plenty of opportunities to leave the house and attend social functions. Clara would no longer rule him with an iron fist.
She inhaled sharply, her eyes snapping wide open when she realized Clara was not in attendance, even though Edward’s uncle had shown his face, giving them gifts and one of the heartiest congratulations of them all.
Could Clara…
No, it couldn’t possibly be true. She would never have harmed her own brother, right?
But then she realized just how much she could gain by Edward’s death. She would be the lady of the house, and her son would become the new viscount.
“Edward,” she murmured, but her voice was quickly drowned out by the festivities. She tapped on his arm, drawing his attention for mere moments before someone swooped in and commandeered her attention instead. Therefore, she pasted a smile on her face and decided to wait until after the party to bring up the worries churning through her stomach.
As long as Edward’s attempted murderer was out there, he wasn’t safe. And she didn’t think she could close her eyes at night knowing he could still be a target at any moment.
However, after the party ended, her friends and sisters whisked her away for a small get-together of their own in their family suite, not giving her the chance to speak to Edward privately like she wished. His friends also stole him away, effectively separating them for the remainder of the night.
Instead of expressing her frustration at the setback, she snatched a piece of parchment and a quill from the table to write him a letter.
My Sweet Edward,
Time has passed quickly, but not quickly enough. Our wedding is only one more day away, but it also seems like ages. I believe fate has brought us together, and I know with a certainty it can never tear us apart.
You gifted me your most prized possession, and I have been reading it every night before bed. I read it to you in the infirmary for hours each day, hoping that the sound of my voice could help you heal.
One of my favorite stories is The Singing Bone. I ask that you read it to remember me in our short time apart.
I’m looking forward to standing beside you at the altar.
Truly Yours,
Vivi
And then she tucked the letter inside the tale ofThe Singing Boneand gave it to a servant to deliver to Edward. The tale was about a jealous brother who killed his younger brother to take credit for the boor the younger one had killed. By doing so, he was given the princess’s hand in marriage, receiving recognition and renown. At least until the horn made of the dead boor’s bones sang the truth of what happened to the boy.
If Edward heeded her warning about her suspicions, then he would be on his guard.
Yet, she couldn’t help but pace about the room and wring her hands, even as her sisters fussed over the planning for her hair and wardrobe for the upcoming wedding.
Tomorrow. They would be married tomorrow.
It was only one more night apart. Edward was safe. She needn’t worry.
Surely.
But as she pulled back the drapes to gaze at the darkened world outside, the half moon glittering in the night sky, her heart steadily sank to her toes.
If Clara didn’t want this wedding to happen…
