Charlotte did not know what her sister was talking about, but she could tell from Mary’s expression that this was something very serious, something that could not be denied. After everything that Mary had done to help her, she would have done anything to reciprocate. “Of course,” she gushed trying to be helpful. “Whatever you need.”
Mary rushed off to the carriage and sat very stiffly in her seat while she waited for them to leave. She reeled off the address that she wanted to visit to the driver and then remained frozen with her back straight until it took off. She could feel her sister shooting her odd looks as they moved, but still she had nothing. She needed to think of nothing while they travelled because she needed a clear brain. It was the only way she was going to do this without completely losing her head.
Chapter 26
To give Charlotte her credit, she had not asked once where they were going; she had simply gone along with what Mary wanted, allowing her to stew the entire time. Mary knew that she was doing the right thing; there were so many things that really needed to be spoken about, and the timing felt right ... but she was anxious too. This felt like a bold step, even for the brand new her.
“Do you wish for me to come with you?” Charlotte asked as the carriage finally came to a halt. “Or would you prefer me to wait out here?”
“You ... you may come if you like, but you do not have to.” Mary did not wish to be rude, but this was something she felt that she needed to do alone. “I will not be very long, so if you wish to remain in here, I do not mind.”
Luckily, Charlotte could see that Mary needed her independence here. She did not know exactly where they were, but she had a clue. She was not sure why Mary would suddenly want to see the Duke now, but she did not want to get in her way. Of course it would be hard for her if Mary wanted to get married and move on, but she knew that time would come. She could not remain there as her buffer forever.
And once she left ... well, the idea of being left on her own with her very angry husband made Charlotte shudder painfully. The idea of raising a baby in that environment was utterly unthinkable, but that was her problem, not Mary’s.
“I shall wait here.” She shifted back in her seat. “You take as long as you need.”
Mary’s pulse raced as she walked towards Edmund’s front door. This was surely breaking all of the invisible rules that polite society abided by every single day, but after everything that had happened to her, Mary no longer cared. Walter had stripped her of her life; he had ruined her and taken everything from her, what more did it matter?
Her anxiety intensified as she reached up to knock on the door, but she did not allow that to stop her. While all of this was racing through her, she needed to speak to Edmund. If she did not, she thought that she might burst. She bounced on the balls of her toes as she waited impatiently for that moment when she would finally make eyes with him again. The anticipation raced through her body as the idea filled her mind and chest.
Then the door swung open, and there was a familiar face on the other side of it, one that made Mary gasp.
“Daisy!” Without much thought, Mary stepped forward and embraced her friend. In all her nerves, she had all but forgotten that her friend now worked here. “Oh, my goodness, it is so good to see you again.”
It had not been that long, not really, but it felt to the girls that it had been forever. Everything was so different now, and things had moved forward. It was good but scary all at once.
“Oh, it is wonderful to see you too,” Daisy gushed. “I have been hoping for a chance to speak with you.” She peered behind to check that there was no one there. There was not, but she still lowered her voice into a whisper, just to be on the safe side. “The Duke ... he is not a bad man. I am sorry that I made you think otherwise.”
Mary stepped back and smiled at her friend. “I know. I have discovered that myself too. I think ... I think that is why I am here.”
Daisy led Mary into the house and took her into the room where Iris was sitting. The Lady had clearly not been expecting guests since she was not dressed for it, but she did not look panicked at all. As soon as her eyes fell on Mary, her entire expression lit up into something that was so warm it managed to make Mary feel welcome in this house that she had never been inside before.
Mary was shocked by how much Edmund looked like his mother. They both had the same striking features and happy eyes. It was like looking at the same person in a way.
Iris stood and moved towards Mary with her hand outstretched to shake hers. “Now, you must be Lady Mary Roberts,” she said warmly, looking so happy to meet the Lady. “I have heard enough about you to know that this is you already.”
“You ... you do?” Mary gushed. She could not imagine Edmund ever speaking about her to his mother. He did not seem the type to talk about that sort of thing. Even as she tried to picture it, it felt strange. “Oh well, I have heard a lot about you too.”
Iris rolled her eyes knowingly. She could tell that Mary was only trying to be polite. “I am sure that you have not. I know that Edmund does not speak of me much.” She indicated behind her. “Please, take a seat, and then you can wait here while Daisy goes to get Edmund to speak with you. Would you like a drink?”
Mary shook her head and took a seat. “No, thank you very much. I do not intend to impose on you for too long. I know my visit is unexpected. I just ... I have something to say to Edmund.”
Now that they were alone, Iris felt that she could speak to Mary candidly. The beautiful Lady was utterly awe-inspiring; she could understand why her son felt very strongly for Mary. Seeing her in real life only proved to Iris what she had suspected all along. That Mary and her son would be the most amazing couple ever. She could just see that this was the sort of woman who would make Edmund very happy. He needed someone just like her in his life. Someone beautiful with a bit of fire.
“My son feels very strongly for you,” she almost whispered, needing Mary to understand. “He likes you a lot. I have never seen him this way about anyone before.”
Mary was taken aback. She did not expect those words to come out of Iris’s mouth, and they stunned her. People did not talk about their emotions so freely and certainly did not discuss the emotions of other people. She did not know if she was supposed to reciprocate or not, and she also was not sure if she wanted to express her feelings to this woman who was essentially a stranger to her.
Luckily, she did not get the opportunity to do any of that because, at that moment, Edmund walked into the room with wide, very shocked eyes. “Mary, you are here?” he said questioningly. “I was not expecting you.”