Saving Lord Berkshire - Laura Beers Page 0,19
depressing,” she insisted. “I think it would be good for us to discuss some of our favorite memories.”
“No,” he said with a shake of his head. “I don’t want to talk about Mother.”
“Why not?”
He grimaced. “Because she is dead, and nothing we say will change that fact, now will it?” he asked, his words coming out much harsher than he had intended.
“No, but I miss her.”
Edward rose and walked over to the window. “I don’t want to talk about Mother. End of discussion,” he said, and his tone brooked no argument.
“What about Father, then?”
He shook his head. “No. I can’t talk about him. I won’t.”
Shifting in her seat, Kitty remarked, “You need to talk about them sometime, Edward.”
“Well, today is not that day.”
“It isn’t healthy for you to keep all of this bottled up inside of you.”
He leaned back against the windowsill. “What exactly do you want from me?”
“I need my brother in my life.”
“I’ve never left,” he said, frowning.
“But you have,” she contradicted. “You have not been the same since Father died.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, Edward replied, “I’m sorry that you feel this way, but I can’t change the person that I have become. People rely on me for their livelihoods. I can’t let them down.”
“You won’t.”
He pressed his lips together as he shifted his gaze away from his sister’s. “You don’t know that. At any point, the crops could fail, or the livestock could fall ill and die. Nothing is for certain.”
Kitty gave him a sad smile. “I don’t think I have seen you truly smile since Father died.”
“That is not true,” he argued.
“It is.” His sister rose from her seat. “I just want you to be happy.”
“That isn’t likely to happen,” he scoffed.
“Why?”
He met her gaze, challenging her. “Leave it be.”
Edward stormed over to the drink cart and picked up the decanter. He poured himself a drink and tossed it down in one gulp.
Kitty walked closer to him. “Miss Blackmore’s townhouse was filled with joy and laughter. It reminded me of how our home used to be. I want to go back there.”
“I don’t know what you want me to say,” he grumbled as he refilled his glass.
“I want you to go apologize to Miss Blackmore and have her bring me back on as a client,” she stated.
“No.”
“Yes,” she replied, stomping her foot.
He picked up his glass and looked at her. “I won’t do it.”
“Do you know that I still sleep with the quilt that Mother and Father used on their bed?” Kitty revealed with tears in her eyes.
He shook his head. “I hadn’t realized.”
“Whenever I am sad, I wrap it around myself and pretend that Mother and Father are embracing me,” she shared.
He remained silent, unsure of what to say.
Kitty swiped at the tears streaming down her face. “When I was at Miss Blackmore’s townhouse, I laughed, completely unrestrained. I was happy there.”
“And you aren’t happy here?”
“Sometimes,” she replied, “but other times I am just lonely.”
“Then I shall hire you a companion.”
“I don’t want a companion,” Kitty objected. “I want a matchmaker. Don’t you see that she is the only one who can help me?”
“I disagree.”
“You always do.”
Edward brought the glass up to his lips. “Even if I did apologize, I daresay that Miss Blackmore will never forgive me.”
“I don’t think that’s true,” she replied. “Miss Blackmore is very kind and gracious.”
He stared at her in disbelief. “She is?”
Kitty laughed. “Yes, she is.”
“I have not seen that side of her yet.”
Kitty glanced at him curiously. “Why are you the only one who can’t see Miss Blackmore for who she truly is?”
“Or perhaps I am the only one who can see past Miss Blackmore’s façade?”
Closing the distance between them, Kitty looked up at him with pleading eyes. “Please go speak to Miss Blackmore.”
Seeing his sister’s tears was his undoing, and he put his glass on the tray. “I will try, but I can’t make any promises.”
Kitty rose onto her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you, Edward,” she gushed. “Thank you!”
“Again, I can’t make any promises,” he warned. “Miss Blackmore hates me.”
“I have no doubt that you can charm her.”
He shook his head. “I don’t believe that to be the case. She seems impenetrable to my charms.”
“Then I shall help you.”
“You?” he questioned. “In what way?”
Kitty giggled. “I will help you with what to say to woo Miss Blackmore.”
Edward stiffened. “I have no intention of wooing Miss Blackmore.”
His sister walked over to his desk and sat down. “It is merely a figure of