After a moment Edward followed, slowly stripping off his gloves. He climbed the stairs and hesitated at the top. Part of him wanted to find Miss Chapple.
It’s none of your business, he told himself. If she needs a friend, she’ll turn to Mrs. Dunn.
That evening, her uncle requested the sermon on female meekness. Mattie read it, aware of him glowering at her across the drawing room. His comments afterwards were particularly pointed.
It was a relief when the clock struck nine and she could finally go upstairs to her bedchamber. Mattie sat down at the escritoire and uncapped the inkwell. Tonight, she’d finish the wedding night scene. She had to.
But when she stared at the paper, all she could think of were the words her uncle had thrown at her in the library. Tears pricked her eyes. Mattie
