take effect, but I couldn’t help but feel lighter with him here. He was a reminder of everything that we’d left behind in London. As long as he was here, everything would be okay.
“You think there’s a sled in these stables?” he asked.
“It’s worth looking.”
But we’d only gotten a few meters away, when Rowan came trudging up from the grounds, a large shovel in his hands.
“Where are you two going?” he asked, coming to a stop.
I hadn’t had much contact with the groundskeeper. He spent all of his time outside, which made sense. He seemed respectful of Smith, but not very interested in people. I guess that’s why he was good with plants. But I didn’t honestly know what all he was working on. I looked at the shovel.
“Just out for a walk,” I said. “I heard there was a pond.”
“The pond is the other way, ma’am,” he said, chewing on each word. “I’m in the middle of a project this way, and I’d thank you to leave it be until I’m finished. It’s no place for a lady.”
I was temporarily stunned. I opened my mouth, about to ask him how he dared tell me where to go on my own land when Edward grabbed my hand and tugged me in the other direction
“Let’s go find that pond.”
Rowan yelled behind us. “That pond may look frozen, but it’s not been cold enough. Don’t go walking on it!”
"I had no idea he was so bossy,” I muttered to Edward, “or rude or sexist.”
“That’s not what bothered me,” Edward said shiftily. “What could he be digging right now in the snow? The ground is frozen. He can’t be planting, can he?”
“You’re the one with all the estates. I’m sure something has to be planted in winter.” I hadn’t thought of that. I’d been too busy being offended by the way he’d spoken to me.
“I’m no botanist, but this doesn’t seem like the weather for plants,” he said pointedly. We walked for another ten minutes without finding the pond Dr. Stanton had spoken of. At that point, Edward’s teeth were chattering so loudly that I took pity on him.
“Let’s go have a cup of tea,” I suggested.
“Yes, your special tea,” Edward said with emphasis, "and a spot of breakfast. I wouldn’t worry about Mrs. Winters. I think you have her wrapped around your finger regardless of how she acts. Remember, we Brits show our love in strange ways.”
“Whatever, and it’s only special tea because it helps me feed my daughter.” I stuck my tongue out at him.
“Well, aren’t you fancy?”
“Are you staying for New Year’s Eve?” I asked him thoughtfully. Getting through Christmas would be the hardest for him, but New Year’s would be a close second.
“Yes, but I plan to get very very drunk,” he told me seriously.
“Good.”
His eyes narrowed in suspicion at the lack of a lecture. “What are you up to?”
I dashed forward, before he could pepper me with more questions and ducked into the mud room, shrugging off my coat. Edward could get drunk on New Year’s. Especially since I planned to invite Tomas. With the baby at home and me nursing, I wouldn’t be able to partake in the same festivities, but that didn’t mean Edward couldn’t have a friend there. Maybe I could even invite Lola. I doubted that Alexander would let Clara make the trek, and she had a baby of her own at home. The thought filled me with sadness for a moment. Of course, she couldn’t come. They would be at Balmoral. I was lucky that I had Edward with me now. Next year, I’d have to convince Smith to go to Scotland with the rest of our friends. I suspected our prolonged absence from them had more to do with Smith’s concerns about the dangers that surrounded them than the convenience of getting back and forth to London. Seeing Edward had proven to me that wouldn’t work. I needed my friends. They were my family. I would just have to show Smith that.
I was already in the kitchen by the time Edward had gotten off his boots and left them by the door.
“Your tea is on the table.” Mrs. Winters nodded toward a porcelain teapot, steam rising from its spout, before turning to Edward. “And what will you be having, your highness?”
“Please don’t call me that,” he said grimly. “I’m just Edward.”
I couldn’t help wondering if that meant he was questioning his place in the royal family. I shook off my concern. He