Chapter 44
Chapter 44
Jayne finally let out a sigh of relief. “I’m so sorry to trouble you all. Really, I feel awful about it.”
Justin, ever the gentleman, replied warmly, “Oh, you don’t need to say that. We’re going to be family soon-no need to be so formal.”
Jayne froze, her expression clouded with surprise. Had Edith not told them everything yet? If not, why else would Justin talk as if they’d all be family soon?
She hesitated, phone still in hand, and after a pause, spoke gently, “Justin, about Edith… she really wasn’t trying to hide anything from you. She’s not that kind of girl, not calculating at all…”
Jayne hoped that by saying a few good words for Edith now, the Hawksleys might go a little easier on her daughter in the future.
Her voice took on a note of awkward pleading. “The Sumners and the Hawksleys may not have kept in touch these past years, but there’s still some old friendship there. The Hawksleys have always been such gracious people, so I just thought…”
Before Jayne could finish, Justin chuckled. “Mrs. Sumner, I’m not sure I follow, but if this is about what happened at your family’s dinner reception this afternoon, please don’t worry. There’s nothing for Edith to apologize for, nor for your family. I’m marrying Edith-whether or not she can have children makes no difference to me.”
Jayne stared at the phone in stunned disbelief.
She’d always heard the Hawksleys were kind and broad-minded, but this… this was beyond her expectations.
After she hung up, Jayne couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps there was something wrong with Justin instead.
In the Hawksley family’s living room, the storm outside still raged,
thunder rolling endlessly. Edith, shaken to her core, was trembling on the
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edge of fainting with every new crash of lightning.
Justin had already asked the housekeeper to prepare the guest room at the very back of the house.
Usually so composed, he was now urging the staff with rare impatience. “Latonia, please, can you hurry?”
Latonia sounded flustered, guilt coloring her voice. “Sir, the guest room. hasn’t been used in ages-it’ll take a while to get it ready. Your room is at the back of the house too, and it’s quieter there. Maybe you should take
Miss Sumner there for now? She looks terrified.”
Justin leaned down, his voice soft as he spoke in Edith’s ear, “Come on, let’s go to my room. It’s quieter there.”
Edith, nearly paralyzed with fear, couldn’t make a sound. Her throat was tight, and her whole body felt weak.
Seeing another flash of lightning cut through the sky, Justin didn’t hesitate. He scooped Edith up and carried her straight to his bedroom.
She clung to him, her cheek pressed against his shoulder. For a fleeting moment, she felt utterly safe.
Justin’s bedroom was tucked away at the end of the second floor. He nudged the door open with his foot and gently set Edith down on the bed. Then, he pulled the blackout curtains tight, shutting out the storm.
The thick walls muffled the thunder, turning the sharp cracks into distant rumbles. Even the sound of rain faded into a gentle hush.
Edith breathed in the faint scent of cedar and pine that lingered on Justin’s sheets. The familiar, comforting aroma helped her regain a little
composure.
She felt embarrassed-she was a grown woman, after all, and yet here she was, so afraid of a thunderstorm.
Flushing, Edith turned her face away, unable to meet Justin’s eyes. “I’m sorry. Not only am I troubling you, but I must look ridiculous right now.”
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Justin stood in the soft lamplight, his features cast in shadow, his expression gentle and enigmatic. “Edith, nothing about you is ever a bother to me.”
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Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.