Page 61 of The Duke's Unclaimed Bride
“We didn’t mean to disturb?—”
“You and Tilly are always welcome,” Ava assured her. “Never doubt that. I am sure we can even set up chambers for you both to stay in if the Duke of Alderbourne has done something untoward.”
“It’s not that,” Edith groaned, covering her face with her hands.
“What happened then?” Ava pressed, leaning back in her seat to watch her friend.
Edith took a long, deep breath. She didn’t know exactly how much would be appropriate to share with her friend.
“He kissed me,” she whispered.
“Was it wanted and welcome?” Ava asked.
Edith hesitated.
Ava frowned and leaned closer to her. “Edith, if he forced it on you?—”
“He didn’t,” Edith blurted. “I did want it. It was welcome. I just…”
“It sounds like your agreement may be reaching the end of its usefulness,” Ava remarked.
“What do you mean?” Edith frowned.
“Well, from my experience, if he kissed you, then he’s interested in you,” Ava said. “And it was welcome, so it is not unfair to say that you are also interested in him.”
“A little,” Edith whispered.
“Well then, you need to tell him,” Ava advised.
“Must I?”
“If you don’t, I fear we will be having this conversation over and over for the rest of your marriage,” Ava drawled. “And I love you as a sister, I truly do, but I can only bear so many repetitions.”
Edith groaned and looked up at the ceiling. “It was so much simpler when it was just a marriage of convenience.”
“Well, yes, but then he kissed you.” Ava chuckled.
“He kissed me at the wedding.”
“Ah, but we were there for that, and I cannot say that it was what one would call passionate.”
Edith’s cheeks pinkened as she remembered Laurence’s kiss. The way his lips had crashed onto hers and his arms held her tight.
And then there is last night…
“Edith,” Ava said, looking at her friend. “You are an incredibly determined and independent young woman. I am not asking you to throw yourself at your husband’s feet. Heaven knows you would never be a meek and subservient wife.”
Edith half-laughed as she listened.
“However,” Ava continued, smirking slightly. “Independence does not require you to abandon your dreams. I know you wellenough to know that you’re worried about his feelings as well as your own. However, if you do not tell him that you want more, you will do both of you a disservice.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, if you do not tell him, you will both be forever dancing around the issue and causing no end of grief. Not only that, but you will eventually grow embittered, and he will notice. As will Tilly. It will sour whatever positivity is left in your marriage. Worst of all, Tilly will accept that this type of relationship is normal.”
Edith tensed. She hoped that one day Tilly would be able to marry for love, not for resources, now that she was the daughter of a duke and duchess. She wasn’t theirs by blood, but the Duke had claimed her as his. But the idea that Tilly would think it normal to be in a bitter and tempestuous marriage made her anxious.
“I understand you’re still learning how to handle yourself and your situation,” Ava said. “But I know you will get there in the end.”
