Page 21 of The Rules of Courtship
“Sam.”
“Yes, of course.” He turned, giving Oliver his full attention. A crease of concern on Oliver’s brow gave him pause. Ill news was clearly forthcoming.
Well, there was no reason Samuel needed to remain in Rocklin for the following fortnight. He could leave if the situation warranted it. Had Ruth had a change of heart? Were the honorable Temple twins actually only interested in titled gentlemen? The cook insisted on serving the same game hens every night for two weeks?
“Out with it,” Samuel said, unable to fight his growing nerves.
“Ask Ruth to partner you in our next activity.”
Ruth. Hope soared to the ceiling. Her interest was growing—albeit slightly—which had to mean something, surely. The chance that she could be his letter writer swam in his chest, filling him with warm, bubbly hope. “Ruth?” he asked, like he hadn’t heard clearly.
“I cannot explain, so please do not ask me to, but there is a high possibility she won’t turn you away. In fact, I can almost guarantee it.”
Something about this situation felt…not quite right. “Did you orchestrate this?”
Oliver rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “I would belying if I told you I had nothing to do with it. Please do not ask me to explain, though. Trust me.”
Of course he would. Samuel trusted Oliver with his life. They were more than cousins—they were the dearest of friends. They looked out for one another. Samuel was the only thing that had kept his parents from hiring a solicitor to fight Grandmother’s will. None of them had liked hearing that she had given everything to Oliver—not when she had three children living and other grandchildren as well. But that had been her choice. Besides, Oliver was not the sort of man to convince an old woman to cut off her family and leave everything to him.
No, if anything, Oliver was likely the most put out by that turn of events. Samuel had reminded his parents of Oliver’s unwavering family support, of how he had sacrificed to care for Grandmother for years, of how he would do anything for them if they needed him.
Of course, that had not been enough. His parents could be selfish, and they’d expected a good deal of money. Samuel threatened to go to London and never speak to them again if they hired a solicitor to look into the will, but no one needed to know that. His efforts had been successful, though.
“I trust you,” Samuel finally said.
“Good. I am doing my best to help you have a chance with her. Do not ruin it.” Oliver reached to ruffle Samuel’s hair, but he dodged just in time.
“If you loved me, you wouldn’t touch my hair.”
“Don’t be daft.” Oliver walked toward the door. “They are gathering for an archery competition. I assume we will be choosing partners.” He lifted his eyebrows suggestively.
When they made it outside, Samuel searched the wide, green lawn for Ruth’s bright smile. He found her speaking to the Temple twins, her brown hair shining in the sunlight. She wore a pale green gown with little capped sleeves and a chip bonnet with matching silk flowers.
She was definitely a woman who knew how to choose her colors to advantage. The green set off the faint blush of her cheeks and made her blue eyes sparkle.
“Good day,” Oliver said, approaching the group.
Samuel stepped behind him, bowing to each of the ladies. Miss Jane’s lace-gloved hands twirled her parasol, blocking the sun. She eyed him a beat longer than usual, sending a smile that he imagined meant something significant to her. Since he didn’t know her well, he hadn’t the faintest idea what she had meant by it.
“Shall we begin?” Miss Temple asked. Her blonde curls were gathered beneath her bonnet, but a few had been left out to frame her temples. “Mr. Bailey will be joining us, but I do not believe anyone else stated an interest.”
Samuel glanced back for Mrs. Watson, whom he heard was meant to be a chaperone to the young ladies who had not brought mothers, but she was not here. He supposed a somewhat distracted chaperone was exactly what the Temple sisters had in mind.
Movement on the grass caught his eye, and he noticed a young couple approaching from the house. Miss and Mr. Edmonds, a brother and sister he had met at breakfast that morning, with matching raven hair and the same pointed chin. Their father was a childhood friend of Lord Rocklin, though he had since passed on.
“Emily!” Miss Jane said, moving to Miss Edmonds’ side. “I’m pleased you decided to join us. I do hope you’ll agree to be my partner.”
“There are a perfect number of couples, sister,” Miss Temple said, a touch too brightly. “Perhaps we ought to make it more interesting.”
“Every man can ask a lady,” Mr. Bailey said, stepping up behind Samuel. It made the hair on the back of his neck standon end. He hadn’t had a good feeling about the man since they met last night, but he couldn’t identify why.
It could’ve merely been due to a dislike of seeing Ruth on Mr. Bailey’s arm, of course. Samuel was not so ridiculous as to feign an absence of jealousy.
He caught Oliver’s eye, glad to see the same distrust flash there. At least he was not alone in his feelings.
“I approve of that plan,” Miss Jane said, grinning. She turned her smile on Samuel, so he looked away before he could be forced into asking her to partner him.
“Ruth?” Samuel asked, before any of the other gentlemen could step in and usurp him. “Would you care to win at my side?” He flashed her an overly bright smile and held his breath.
