Hopefully, Edmund felt the same, but she resolved to understand if the obstacles between them were too great. She prayed they were not—and that she hadn’t completely botched things at Blickton. It was entirely possible she had. For that, she had no one to blame but herself.
A groom ran to meet Edmund as he rode to the front of the Duke of Kendal’s magnificent manor house on his estate, Lakemoor. The afternoon sun streaming through the clouds bathed the brown stone in mottled but warm light. He’d been grateful for the fair weather, which had made for a speedy trip, particularly since he’d cut across fields the last several miles.
“Please take good care of him,” Edmund said to the groom. “We’ve ridden hard.” He stroked his horse’s nose and murmured words of appreciation and affection.
The lad nodded. “I will, sir.”
Edmund turned and strode to the door, which the butler held open. “The Earl of Satterfield to see the Duke,” Edmund said as he removed his hat and gloves.
The butler took his accessories. “I don’t believe he is expecting you, my lord.”
“He was not. Nevertheless, I am here.”
“Of course. Come with me.” The butler led Edmund to a large, well-appointed room. “If you’ll just wait here, I’ll inform His Grace you have arrived.”
Anticipation curled through Edmund. Anxiety had driven him to ride hard and fast, and now that he was here, he was keen to see Genie, but also apprehensive. She might still refuse him.
He prowled the room, and his gaze fell on the painting above the mantel. His breath halted, as did his feet. Captured in her youth, Genie stared back at him, a warm smile curving her lush mouth. But she wasn’t alone. Beside her, and just a bit behind, stood her husband. His gaze was on her—as it should be. The artist had perfectly captured the love in his eyes.
How could Edmund compete with that?
“Welcome, Lord Satterfield.”
Edmund turned from the beautiful portrait and saw the young duke striding into the room. “Thank you for seeing me.” They’d met before, of course. Edmund had specifically introduced himself when Kendal had taken his father’s seat in the Lords. He’d offered his assistance and guidance if Kendal ever needed it. Edmund had wanted to provide support in the way Kendal’s father had done for him.
And now Edmund was stealing his former mentor’s wife. That was absurd. He couldn’t steal her, not from a dead man. He glanced back at the painting and silently said, I love her. I will take care of her. If she’ll have me.
There was, of course, no response, just a man staring at his beloved for all time.
“How can I be of service?” Kendal asked. “Shall we sit? Would you care for refreshment? I don’t know how far you’ve come, but my butler said you rode up on a horse that looked as if it had seen some miles.”
“Indeed. I came from near Lancaster. I wanted to arrive before dark.”
Kendal smiled. “You’ve done that with time to spare.” He took one of the chairs and gestured for Edmund to sit.
But Edmund didn’t want to. He wanted to see Genie. The only reason he hadn’t gone straight to the dower house was because he didn’t know precisely where it was. Also, and mostly, so he could speak with Kendal before he saw her.
“Forgive me if I don’t sit. I am, perhaps embarrassingly, in a bit of a rush. I am here to see the Dowager Duchess.”
“Oh?” Kendal tipped his head back to look up at Edmund. “You know my stepmother?”
“Yes. We were most recently together at Blickton.”
“The matchmaking house party.” His lips quivered as if he were trying not to laugh. “Tell me, were you aware of its purpose before you went?”
“I was, yes.”
“So you went hoping to find a wife?” He narrowed his eyes briefly. “Or perhaps something else?”
“I went with the intention of finding a wife. I am forty and without an heir.”
“Past time, then.” Kendal nodded. “I suppose I shall come to the same crossroads. I shall be happy to wait another sixteen years.”
“Wait however long you must, but take my advice—don’t let the one you want get away.”
“Spoken like a man who’s made that mistake,” Kendal said softly. He stood. “Why are you here to see my stepmother?”
“To propose marriage. It is my fervent hope she will accept. I wanted to speak with you—to obtain your support and blessing if you are inclined to give it. Also to tell you it would be a privilege to count you among my family. You are the most important person in Genie’s life, so I would hope that we could establish a relationship. I don’t seek to be your father, of course. But I would gladly occupy whatever role you deem acceptable.”
Kendal opened his mouth, then closed it again. His brow furrowed. Then he looked toward the painting of his father and Genie. “I miss him very much. I wasn’t a very good son the last few years before he died. I disappointed him.”
“I don’t think so. You frustrated him—at least that was my impression. But he was always exceedingly proud of you.”
Kendal snapped his attention back to Edmund. “You knew him well?”
Edmund lifted a shoulder. “Well enough. We worked on committees together in the Lords and occasionally drank together at the club. As I told you when you first took his seat, he guided me when I entered the Lords. He was a good man.”
“He was indeed,” Kendal said quietly. “As you seem to be. Does my stepmother return your affection? I assume you hold her in high esteem, but you didn’t say.”
“I love her beyond words.” Edmund smiled. “The opportunity to make her my wife is not something I will let slip away—if she’ll have me.”
“Ironically, you are not the first gentleman to propose marriage to her today. No, not today, I suppose Sterling actually proposed yesterday.”
Edmund’s heart stopped for a moment. “Sterling is here?”
“Was. He left earlier, as did my stepmother.”
Oh God, he was too late. A searing pain tore through him, stealing his breath. He turned his gaze toward the windows but saw nothing.
“I should clarify,” Kendal said. “She turned Sterling down, and he left. She departed a short while after in order to pursue the man she prefers.”
Edmund blinked. He looked back to Kendal. “And who is that?”
“She didn’t say, and I didn’t press her. She did, however, tell me she was going to Staffordshire. That is where your seat is located, is it not?”
“Yes, but I’m not there.” It was a ridiculous thing to say, but all he could manage. She’d turned Sterling, with his four children, down! And it seemed she was on her way to him—the man she preferred. There was only one thing to be done, tired as he was. No, not tired. He was suddenly more energized than he’d ever been in his life. “When did she leave?”
“A few hours ago. You could make up the time on horseback, probably, but it will be dark before you catch her. My guess is she will make it to Lancaster for the night.”
Edmund nearly laughed. If only he hadn’t left the hunting lodge! But how would he have known to find her in nearby Lancaster? “I’ll get there.”