to her. Chatting with people as he went, he made his way toward her. Annoyingly, Sterling was still at her side.
But unannoyingly, her eyes sparked with pleasure the moment she saw Edmund. He couldn’t help smiling in response.
“Good afternoon, Lord Satterfield,” she said.
“Good afternoon, Duchess.” He glanced toward Sterling to acknowledge him. “Sterling. I believe Lady Bradford was hoping to have a word with you.” Edmund didn’t know where that lie had come from and didn’t care.
Sterling turned to Genie and took her hand. “Thank you for the lovely company. I hope to see you later.” He pressed a kiss to the back of her hand, then nodded toward Edmund before taking himself off.
Edmund hoped he would walk straight into the river.
“You’re glaring at him,” Genie whispered.
Blinking, Edmund moved his attention to her. “Was I?”
Genie’s mouth tipped into a sly smile. “I think you know you were. Did Lady Bradford really want to talk to him?”
“Probably?” Edmund lifted a shoulder as he stepped closer to her. “I’m sure she will by the time he arrives.” He was relieved to see Genie wasn’t upset with him for sending Sterling away. In fact, she seemed to be flirting. “You don’t mind that he left?”
She shook her head. “How was your walk with Lady Bradford and Mrs. Makepeace?”
“Tolerable.”
Genie’s shoulders twitched.
“How was yours with Sterling?”
“Also tolerable.” She inhaled. “No, that isn’t fair. It was nice actually. He’s quite charming. He spoke of his children.”
“Mrs. Makepeace and Lady Bradford both speculated about the matches that may or may not be going on. Lady Bradford suggested you and Sterling were perhaps pairing off.” He didn’t ask the question, but held his breath, hoping she would refute it.
“I’m not pairing off with anyone,” she said, which was both a good and bad answer.
“I was rather hoping you might be.” He looked into her eyes, his voice soft.
She cocked her head slightly so that her mouth was nearer his ear. To anyone glancing in their direction, they would likely appear to be having an intimate conversation. But then, they were.
“Just because I may be interested in a small…indulgence this week, doesn’t mean I’m part of a pair.”
His heart began to race. Was she saying…? “If it matters to you, I am most interested in an indulgence.” Her eyes widened almost imperceptibly, and he wanted to be explicit. “With you. And only you.”
“I see.” Her tongue peeked out and wetted her lips. Edmund went completely hard and shifted his body toward the river.
“Aren’t you going to come have refreshments?” Lady Cosford asked as she approached. “Come, there’s a special ale that Cosford had the brewer make.” She smiled brightly, and they had no choice but to go with her. To do otherwise would have been rude.
Except that Edmund had a troublesome erection to deal with. “I’ll be there shortly. I just want to take in the river for a moment.”
“It’s a beautiful vista,” Genie said. “We were just discussing that.” Definitely not how they both wanted to have an affair. That was what she’d meant, wasn’t it? God, he hoped so.
Lady Cosford nodded. “We do love to spend time here. Did I mention there are lavender cakes? I know how much you like those, Genie.”
“I do indeed.” She looped her arm through her cousin’s and gave Edmund a long look before departing.
Edmund exhaled as his body finally began to listen to the urgings of his mind. Later, there would be ample opportunity to let himself go. He hoped.
He was almost completely certain that was what Genie had meant—that she wanted to conduct a liaison. But was that all? He wanted more.
Patience.
Yes, patience. He’d waited this long, and she was well worth it.
When the clock in Genie’s room struck one, she finally deemed it late enough to leave. As she stepped from her chamber, she hesitated. What if he wasn’t in his room yet? How late did the gentlemen stay up?
She should have planned this with him!
Except, she hadn’t wanted to commit. She’d been too afraid she’d change her mind. Even now, she was vacillating.
Just go. You want this. And there’s nothing wrong with wanting it. Wanting him.
Inhaling sharply, she recalled the path to Edmund’s room. She’d stared at the map so much, it would have been impossible for her to forget where his chamber was located. Thankfully, he was on the same side of the house. She just hoped she didn’t encounter anyone on the way.
Because of that, she walked quickly and found herself at his door far sooner