Page 34 of The Earl’s Marriage of Convenience

“No,” Edwin replied, removing his gloves. “I shall only retrieve my coat. You may inform my sister I have called, but there is no need to disturb her if she is at dinner.”

“Very good, my lord.”

Edwin moved down the hall with easy familiarity and entered the parlor. His coat lay precisely where he had left it, draped over the back of the sofa.

He reached for it—

And paused.

Movement beyond the window caught his attention.

Frowning slightly, he stepped closer and drew the curtain aside just enough to see into the courtyard.

Eliza.

She was pacing—not with the measured grace he had come to expect, but with restless, uncontained energy. Her shoulders were drawn tight, her hands twisting together before she flung them free in frustration and turned sharply, only to repeat the motion again.

Edwin stilled.

He had never seen her like this.

There was nothing practiced in it, nothing refined or carefully arranged. Every movement spoke of thought unfiltered and emotion uncontained, as though whatever troubled her had slipped beyond her ability to manage it.

He should have stepped away. Given her privacy.

Instead, he remained where he was, watching as her expression shifted too quickly to conceal—frustration, uncertainty, something almost like fear flickering across her face before she turned again.

Then—

She looked up.

Their gazes met.

For a moment, Edwin considered stepping back, allowing her the courtesy of not having been observed.

He did not. Instead, he lifted a hand in a small, unbothered acknowledgment.

Her eyes narrowed at once. She pointed.

Edwin blinked, then pointed lightly to himself in return, as if to confirm her meaning.

Her expression sharpened further, and without hesitation she turned and strode toward the door that led back into the house.

Edwin exhaled softly. Curious as to why she’d act in such a way.

He moved to intercept, reaching the side door just as she did. Rather than wait, he stepped out into the evening light of the courtyard.

“Is all well?” he asked and found that the question held more sincerity than he had intended.

For a brief instant, her expression remained unguarded.

Then, almost visibly, she gathered herself.

Not entirely—but enough.

“You,” she said.

And turned away again, pacing toward the center of the courtyard.