Page 15 of The Rules of Courtship
“Blonde,” Samuel continued, scrunching his face as though deep in thought. “Blue, round eyes, utterly besotted with you.”
Blonde? Oliver straightened. Samuel was referring to Miss Temple. “She was notbesotted. What a ridiculous thing to say.”
Samuel merely raised his eyebrows.
“She was not,” Oliver repeated. “We only spent one hour together, and half of that time was silent.”
“Mark me,” Samuel said. “You will leave this house party an engaged man.”
The woman that flashed in his mind was Ruth, but he quickly removed her smiling eyes from his thoughts. His impulse was to argue with his cousin, but he did need a wife, didn’t he? He had come here for that very purpose. If he did not gain three thousand pounds, he would lose everything. Marrying well was the easiest way to accomplish that goal.
“It would not be such a terrible thing if you’re correct,” Oliver finally said.
Samuel looked surprised, but covered it quickly.
“And you?” Oliver pressed. “Your Miss Jane seemed perfectly lovely.”
“She is no Ruth,” Samuel muttered.
“Sam—”
“No, I know. You need not say it.” He lifted his glass and drained the rest of it. “Ruth will not court a man from Harewood. It is no secret her rule was developed and highly advertised to keep me away. I am not the fool you think I am.”
Oliver regarded him, looking for a crack in the careless facade. “She could be made to see reason. Her rules are ridiculous.”
“They are a tool. She’s a smart woman for wielding them as she does.”
“Perhaps.” Oliver didn’t agree, but he wouldn’t split hairs.
The gentlemen rose to return to the drawing room. Oliver noticed Miss Temple as soon as he stepped through the threshold, her eyes lighting up and her smile widening. She sat at a table playing cards with her sister, though he assumed it was set up so they could invite a second pair to join them.
Ruth, it appeared, wasn’t present.
“I think I will make it an early night,” he muttered to Samuel. “I’d like to wake before dawn and ride before the gentlemen all gather to see the demonstration with Lord Rocklin’s horse.”
“Very well.”
“Will you remain?” Oliver asked, a little surprised.
Samuel glanced back at the Temple twins sitting at the card table. “One of us must stay if we aren’t to look dashed unfriendly.” He softened this with a grin.
“Will you ride with me in the morning?”
Samuel lifted one eyebrow. “If I can be bothered to wake as early as you plan to, I won’t be riding anything. I will be eating.”
“Very well. I will see you tomorrow.” Oliver turned at the door, leaving before he could be waylaid.
He mounted the dim stairs toward the guest chambers. Oliver hoped he didn’t appear standoffish or uninterested in socializingdue to his early night, but he believed Samuel would explain things well enough on his behalf. He stopped short when he turned the corner toward his room. Ruth stepped out of the way quickly to avoid a collision, and he steadied her by the shoulders, keeping her from tripping over him and falling to the carpet.
“Were you lying in wait to frighten me?” he asked.
“Of course.” She straightened her skirt and inhaled. “I planned to stay here all evening until an unsuspecting gentleman arrived.” She stepped back, allowing Oliver’s arms to drop to his sides. He hadn’t realized he’d still been holding her. She gave a little shake of her head. “I was a bit lost. I think my chamber is that direction.” She pointed toward the opposite corridor.
“Most likely. The men are down this way,” he confirmed.
“I was in such a hurry to make it to the drawing room before dinner. I didn’t pay much attention to where I was going.”
“Do you need help finding?—”
