As news about the upcoming ball began to circulate, excitement in the neighborhood grew with each passing day. As did the number of callers who stopped by to visit Merry on the slimmest of pretexts so they could quiz her about the arrangements. Everyone seemed to know that Mrs. Everton was consulting Merry in all decisions about the hired orchestra, the various dances, the supper menu, and the decorations.
Merry was happy enough to enlighten people about what they might expect. The only detail she did not share was how often Edward joined them in the library when she and his mother were making plans. On rare occasions, Regina accompanied him, just often enough that Merry was aware the woman was still around. She even offered to help a time or two but Mrs. Everton had assured her—none too warmly—that her assistance was not required.
The time passed quickly and delightfully as Merry enjoyed the company of Eloise Everton quite a bit. The woman was generous in spirit, as well as sharp and quick-witted, much like her son. Even Merry’s conversations with Edward had become less strained and more natural, their friendship rekindling amongst the stately volumes and rich wooden panels of the Summerton library. Indeed, she feared that lately she’d begun to enjoy his company entirely too much.
She’d all but forgotten her promise to his mother when Edward came in one day to say he and the servants had been out gathering greenery.
“We have a goodly amount,” he said, “but not enough to adequately decorate the entire house.” He’d turned to Merry. “Perhaps tomorrow you would accompany me to some of the areas on your family’s property where you have seen especially nice specimens?”
“I suppose so,” Merry said with a decided lack of enthusiasm. Every minute she spent with Edward was one more minute she’d have to try to erase from her memory once he was gone, and she would do well to remember that. At the same time, she could hardly refuse to help him find appropriate greenery.
It was all for the sake of the ball, of course.
Edward surveyed her with twinkling eyes that suggested he knew just what she was thinking. “And perhaps David and Dora would like to accompany us,” he added. “If I know the twins, they’re probably eager to contribute in some way.”
Merry’s irritation with Edward morphed into irritation with herself. She should have thought of inviting David and Dora along for more reasons than one: they would enjoy the outing and at the same time provide a buffer between her and Edward. “Yes,” she said. “I’m sure they would love it. I’ll mention it to them when I get home this afternoon.”
David and Dora were indeed delighted to have an opportunity to help. Both were caught up in the excitement rampant in the neighborhood, and both were disappointed when told they were too young to attend the ball. Still, the next morning they entered into the excursion to gather greenery with great enthusiasm. David was limber enough to climb to the tops of some tall trees to gather mistletoe, after which Dora delighted in making plans to create elaborate kissing balls, giggling all the while at the thought that Merry might be caught under one of them.
Suddenly, a deer darted through the snow-covered shrubbery ahead of them on the path. With a cry of delight, both twins ran after it and a moment later, Merry and Edward were alone in the clearing.
For a second, neither spoke. Merry bit her lip, then glanced up at Edward. His gaze caught hers, and he smiled. “I’ve been longing for a moment alone with you, Merry. I wanted to explain about Regina.”
Merry stiffened. “That’s not necessary.”
He took a step closer. “I disagree. I fear you’ve formed the wrong impression. Regina means nothing to me. You see, she was living at Branford Manor when I arrived. She and my cousin Howard were engaged, but obviously she was more interested in his title than in him. When he was killed in the duel, she decided she wanted to marry me in his stead. I’ve tried to discourage her, but she does not give up easily.”
Merry lifted her chin. “Still, I fail to understand why you did not return to the neighborhood before now. My parents would have been pleased to receive you.”
“I wanted to, believe me, but I was convinced you had found someone to replace me in your affections.”
“But that’s ridiculous. No one could ever replace you in my—” Merry slapped a hand over her mouth to stop the flow of words that threatened to reveal too many of her feelings.
Apparently, she had already said too much. Smiling, Edward closed the space between them and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Really, Merry? Do you still care for me as you once did?”
She looked into his face. His smile was tender and his gaze appeared to hold all the affection she’d once taken for granted. But that could not be. He’d abandoned her. She could not afford to forget that. She could not allow herself to believe that they had a future together.
That possibility had died when he’d inherited a title and moved on without her.
She absolutely could not afford to believe in him again. The cost to her emotions of dealing with a second abandonment would be too great. She could not face that.
And so, she wrenched herself away from his grasp. Lifting her chin, she glared down her nose at him. “You take too many liberties, Lord Branford, and assume too much. My feelings are no longer your concern. I suggest you remember that.”
Was it her imagination, or had the blood suddenly drained from Edward’s face? If so, it returned in a rush. He bowed formally, then straightened and regarded her with thinned lips.
“My apologies, Miss Damonson. I shall not annoy you with my attentions in the future.”
The expression of distress in his eyes almost caused Merry to reach out to him, to assure him that she had not meant to be unkind, that she still cared. But it was too late. The sound of laughter announced the twins’ reappearance in the clearing, and their excited chatter helped hide the silence that persisted between her and Edward until the greenery was gathered and they could go their separate ways.