Page 112 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
“Lord Harbury!” Edithsmiled softly, joy bubbling up like champagne bubbles inside of her as she took a seat on a settee in her father’s drawing room. “Tea?”
“No, thank you.”
The baron was seated on a stuffed chair, one of a pair, while Louisa sat on the other.
“You have news?” Edith asked, realizing too late it was a silly question. Why else would the baron be in her home?
“Our veterans have been discharged. They are well and plan to take up their new positions soon. Their employers were very understanding.” He paused. “Lord Wycliffe spoke with Sir Henry, of course. To smooth his ruffled feathers.”
She could well imagine that conversation.
“Lady Diana will return to Town in the next few days, and the registry will reopen. Lord Ashford and I have decided to hand the registry over to Lady Devon. She is well-respected in thetonand known to be a fair and honest lady. She has a great desire to help the veterans, and the registry will be able to thrive without the involvement of somebody the RA wishes to punish.”
The word punish caught her unawares. For a moment she couldn’t breathe, emotion welling in her throat.
“Are you all right, Edith?” Louisa rose from her chair at the same time as the baron rushed to sit beside Edith.
“Edith, can you speak?” He took her hand in his, his face turning pale.
“It’s, it’s- You could have been killed!” A few tears slipped from her eyes as she struggled to gain control of her emotions.
“But I wasn’t. I’m here. With you.”
The tenderness in his voice caught her attention, his hand warm against her bare palm. Blinking away further tears, she smiled uncertainly at him. “Lord Harbury?”
Louisa quietly exited the drawing room, leaving the door to the room wide open behind her.
“I would like to hear you say my name.”
His gaze moved to her mouth, and she whispered, “Nathaniel.”
“May I kiss you?” he asked in a husky voice.
She couldn’t speak, so she merely nodded.
He leaned in and brushed her lips with his. Once, twice, before raising his head to smile down at her. “Edith, my darling girl. I love you, my sweet, intelligent, brave girl.”
Edith squeezed the hand that held hers and replied shyly, “And I love you.”
“I’m not Cecil,” he said with a mock frown.
“Thank goodness!” She giggled. “You’re kind, considerate, polite...”
“Handsome?” he queried with a grin.
“Very!” At that moment she’d never thought anyone more handsome.
He sobered to ask gravely, “Would you mind not volunteering at the registry for a while? We should all stay away from the office for a bit.”
“That is a prudent idea.” She paused. “My father would like me to avoid the registry for now.”
“Is your father home?”
“Why?” she asked playfully.
“I want to tell him you are to be my wife.”
“Did you ask me to marry you?” she queried, raising her brows.
