Page 17 of Taming a Beastly Duke
Edwin clicked his tongue, and Marcus imagined a deceptively sympathetic expression on his face.
“It is horrible,” he agreed. “However, technology must advance. Perhaps the workers who become obsolete could take up jobs operating the mechanized looms and machines that are taking their jobs.”
Marcus sneered at his cousin’s apathy.
“I imagine that only people who have designed those machines know how to use them thus far,” he said. “These men could be waiting months or years to learn any new skill.”
Edwin nodded, the sickening expression still gracing his features.
“It is a shame,” he repeated. “Perhaps the Tory Party will render aid to workers and their families who will be impacted by this change.”
Marcus bit his lip to hold back a snarl. He knew the Tories cared about the interests of wealthy landowners, rather than the struggles of lower-class working men. Did Edwin not know that? Surely, a man as educated as his cousin could not be so ignorant.
“I understand that estate management will be affected by all these new machines being introduced,” Thomas said, blatantly trying to change the subject. Marcus tilted his head, so the water covered his ears to drown out his cousin’s voice. He closed his eyes once more and was transported to his memories of Miss Barrett at once. He exhaled deeply as he recalled how she had felt in his arms, so soft and yielding despite his fearsome reputation. The warmth in his body became the heat of a raging fire. Only it had nothing to do with the warm water in which he soaked.
***
Adelaide watched Edith wade through the water beside her with a bemused smile. She had had a faraway look on her face since returning from her tour with Lord Thomas, and Adelaide was sure she recognized a familiar heat in her eyes.
As if reading Adelaide’s mind, Edith turned to face her, blushing.
“Oh, Adelaide, it was wonderful,” she said for the third time. “He is so knowledgeable. I can converse with him and not feel as if my mind is numbing. And he enjoys listening to me speak, as well. I feel as though we could talk forever and never discuss the same thing twice.”
Adelaide giggled, smiling at her friend as the two older women talked quietly among themselves further down the pool with their flannel gowns billowing around them like pale water lilies.
“Tell me again of the delight in his eyes as the two of you discussed the architecture,” she said.
Edith gently splashed Adelaide, making them both laugh.
“This is serious, Adelaide,” she said. “I find that I am ever inclined to do otherwise when in his presence. I am acutely aware that, due to my obligations to my family and his connection with Marcus, a romantic union between us is simply unattainable. Yet, I take great pleasure in his company and permit myself to indulge in the fanciful notion of a life in which we might unite in matrimony and establish a family.”
Adelaide nodded; her understanding of her friend’s situation far deeper than she could allow herself to admit.
“It is a difficult position,” she said, surprising herself with the thought that came to her. “However, I do not believe you should just give up the idea. True love finds a way, no matter the obstacles.”
Edith looked at Adelaide, surveying her.
“You speak as if you know something of such situations,” she said with a sly smile. “Would it have anything to do with my brother?”
Adelaide’s cheeks flushed and she averted her gaze.
“Tell me more about Lord Thomas,” she said.
Just then, Lady Beatrice approached with a warm smile on her face.
“My dears, what a pleasant surprise,” she said, entering the water in her blue bathing gown.
Adelaide and Edith offered polite smiles, while the two older women greeted her with fair enough warmth. However, there was a notable shift in the atmosphere, one of which Lady Beatrice seemed blissfully unaware.
“I wonder if that means Edwin is here,” Edith whispered to Adelaide with a bit of apprehension.
Adelaide looked at her friend, who gave her a knowing look.
“I find Lord Edwin to be perfectly charming,” she said, knowing the sentiment was not entirely true.
Edith shook her head, once more seeming to sense what Adelaide was thinking.
“He is polite enough to everyone,” she whispered, glancing toward Lady Beatrice. “However, I do not believe for a moment that he is sincere. I love both my cousin and my aunt, but Edwin disquiets me, and I cannot say for sure that Aunt Beatrice does not know how disingenuous her son is beneath his perceived charm.”
