The Pursuit (31 page)

“Do you miss it?”

“I wouldn’t mind visiting, but I actually prefer England.”

The game continued with random pieces of small talk, but Niki found Edward on the quiet side. He was watchful and played his cards to perfection, but for Edward, he was oddly quiet.

When there was a break, both Weston and Anne left the table for some refreshment. Niki waited only until they were out of earshot to speak.

“You’re very quiet tonight, Edward.”

“Am I?” he asked in a noncommital tone, his eyes on her.

Niki was growing exasperated and decided to say what she was thinking.

“Edward, what’s come over you?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, you’re behaving oddly. At no time in our travels did you look at me with such interest.”

“I should hope not,” he said with a grin. “You looked like a man.”

Niki stared back at him but didn’t comment.

“You don’t look like a man any longer,” Edward said quietly, his meaning more than clear.

“Stop staring at me, Edward,” Niki now whispered in return. “You’ll have me thinking about kissing you again.”

“Again? Did you say
again?”

“No,” Niki lied without shame. “Of course I didn’t say that.”

Wishing the floor would swallow her whole, Niki became very absorbed with the score sheet on the table, refusing to look across at Edward. When she did, he was smiling at her. Niki felt it coming on but tried to ignore it. The blush, which always appeared just below her collarbone, was spreading quickly. Edward spotted it and his smile widened. Niki’s hand went to her throat.

“Too late,” Edward told her softly. “I can see that you’re blushing.”

Niki was opening her mouth to say something, but Anne and Weston were returning.

“Shall we change partners?”Weston asked when he neared the table, seeing his wife into a chair and taking his own.

“That might be fun,” Edward agreed. “Then
again
,” he added, “maybe we should stay as we are.”

“No, let’s change,” Anne piped up. “I want to partner with Niki.”

Niki didn’t care. Either way, Edward was too close. She was still horrified by what she’d admitted to him, and clearly he was not going to forget it.

“Is it my turn to play
again?”
Edward asked when the cards came around to him, putting the emphasis on that word in such a subtle way that Niki was certain she was the only one to notice.

When she was willing to look Edward’s way she found him at his most innocent until it was time to use that word. Niki found herself wanting to laugh at his audacity but knew she would have to explain herself if a giggle escaped.

“I’m sorry,” Niki said to Anne when they lost three hands in a row. “I must not be concentrating.”

“Not at all,” Weston spoke up good-naturedly. “I think anything wrong in your game, Niki, can be blamed on Edward.”

“What did I do?” Edward asked.

“I’m not exactly sure, but while Anne and I were away from the table, you had plenty to say to Niki. Now you’re very quiet, which can only mean that you’re teasing the life out of this poor girl.”

Edward looked so comically insulted that Niki and the Westons laughed. Niki enjoyed looking at Edward now, her expression rather smug.
You’ve been figured out
was clearly her intent, and Edward was forced to smile.

Sitting at the next table, the Hursts and Palmers took in some of this scene. They noticed the way Edward and Niki smiled at one another and wondered, as Niki had, whether Marianne Jennings had been matchmaking when she invited the two.

“Would Marianne do that?” Pastor Hurst asked in disbelief.

“I hope so,” Palmer surprised him by saying, shocking both Judith and his wife into hysterical laughter.

Blackburn Manor

Niki slipped in the front door at a late hour, finding the house quiet. Bertram was there with a lantern, and she made her way upstairs but didn’t go to her room.

Not able to help herself and not really trying, Niki headed for the boys’ room. She stood quietly over their bed, her heart breathing a little sigh of relief as she saw that they slept peacefully.

It was an awful trap to be in—never trusting, tormented by fear—but at the moment Niki didn’t know how to change. She finally sought her own bed and sleep, which came before she had any answers.

Newcomb Park

“You’re quiet this morning,” Henry commented to Edward at the breakfast table. The younger Steele had taken a seat and begun to eat with little more than a word.

“Don’t mind me, Henry,” Edward said, and then fell silent again.

Henry’s brows rose. It wasn’t often that his brother was out of things to say. Henry waited several minutes, enjoying his breakfast and thinking, but when Edward remained quiet, he began to guess.

“Have I done something you don’t like?”

“No.”

“One of the girls?”

“No, nothing like that.”

Henry finished his tea and poured more into his cup. At one time Henry would have been more than happy to leave Edward in his silence, but something was on his mind, and Henry wanted to know what it was and whether his brother was all right.

“Are you felling unwell?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Are you tired from your late night?”

“No, but thank you for checking.”

Henry paused but wasn’t long in continuing. “Have you finally figured out that you’re going to marry Mrs Bettencourt?”

Silence greeted this question, and Henry knew he had hit on the matter. He didn’t push Edward but waited for him to share.

“She was at Thornton Hall last night,” the younger Steele admitted.

“Were you able to speak to her?”

“Yes. I think she has feelings for me.”

“I can believe that. What are your feelings for her?”

“They’re very strong. They frighten me.”

“May I give you some advice, Edward?”

“Please do.”

“Go slowly. Your heart won’t wish to, but you must. Get to know her very well; take your time. If you love each other, you’ll be willing to wait until you’re both ready.”

“She has two sons,” Edward spoke as though Henry hadn’t. “I would become a father as well as a husband in one day.”

“You love those little boys, Edward. I’ve seen you with them. It’s a serious undertaking, but you already care enough to get the job done properly.”

Edward looked at his brother, realizing how valuable he was to his life. In just a few brief sentences Henry had set his mind at ease.

Go slowly. You already care.

Those simple lines took the confusion and muddle from his mind.

“Thank you, Henry,” was all Edward had left to say.

Henry inclined his head modestly, poured another cup of tea, and reached for the newspaper.

Chapter Seventeen

Blackburn Manor

“All is quiet in town,” Denley reported to Niki on Monday.

“Good. How did you handle the situation?”

“I took the list you gave me and wandered about as if I hadn’t a clue.”

Niki smiled at him, unable to help herself.

“Did you remember to find the items on the list?” she asked with a good deal of amusement.

Denley actually looked affronted.

“Certainly, Mrs Bettencourt,” he intoned. “I even checked in for the post and was given a letter for Mr and Mrs Walker.”

“I’m sure they will appreciate that.”

Still looking a bit put out, Denley nodded and moved on his way. Niki looked after him, a small smile on her face. At times she thought him perfect; it was a small comfort to know he had feet of clay.

“We’ve heard from Elinore,” Mary told Niki later that day, referring to their oldest daughter. “Her husband is ill, and she’s asked us to come and visit with the children while she devotes time to him. They’re not babies anymore, but with their father ill, she thinks we’ll be a nice diversion.”

“When will you leave?” Niki asked.

“Well, that’s just it, Niki. We don’t know if we should go and leave you and the boys alone.”

“Why ever not?”

“Do you feel safe about staying here?”

“I can assure you, Aunt Mary, that we will be fine. You must go to Elinore’s. The sooner the better.”

“Are you certain, Niki? If you need us, you must tell me.”

Niki smiled and reached to hug her.

“You have been a lifeline for me, Aunt Mary, but you must go. The boys and I will be fine.”

“Only if you’re very sure—” Mary began but stopped when she heard Walker laugh.

“I’m afraid there will be no convincing her, Niki.”

Both women watched him approach. He stopped before Niki and looked her in the eye.

“Elinore’s needs are somewhat pressing, but nothing to yours. Mary is only trying to protect you.”

“And for that I thank you, but I do wish you would go to your daughter. Please don’t stay on my account.”

“We won’t,” Walker stated, having seen that she was most sincere. “And if a need arises, you can always send word. Bertram will know how to reach us.”

Niki smiled at him, and he bent to kiss her cheek. Niki’s heart swelled with pleasure, even as she found herself hoping that she and the boys would never have to leave Blackburn Manor.