Page 41 of The Rules of Courtship
“You know very well that hardly matters. If we were found in this way?—”
A knock at the door made Ruth flinch.
Oliver’s eyes went wide, his skin going pale.
“Darling, may I come in?” Lady Helena asked, her voice muffled through the door.
“You must hide!” Ruth whispered. Even Lady Helena would not be understanding to discover Oliver in Ruth’s room when they were both believed to be sleeping.
He started toward the wardrobe.
“You will never fit in there.” Ruth raised her voice. “One moment, Mama. Let me fetch a dressing gown.” She reached the window, tossing back the drapes, but the drop to the ground was too far and nothing sat below them.
Oliver ran a hand through his dark hair, searching the room. They shared a look.
Ruth raised her eyebrows. “Under the bed?”
“Do I have any other choice?” he muttered, dropping to the floor and scooting himself into hiding.
“Ruth?” Lady Helena called, her tone growing concerned. The doorknob began to turn.
“Nearly ready!” Ruth looked to where the shadow of Oliver’s boot was obvious at the end of the bed and kicked it with her toe. He drew his boot out of view, which she imagined to be uncomfortable.
Best to send her mother away swiftly.
She went to the door and opened it. “It is late, Mama.”
Lady Helena swept into the room, her dark brow furrowed. “You did not seem well tonight. Is anything amiss?”
Drat the woman and her ability to sense Ruth’s moods. “No.”
Lady Helena’s eyes narrowed. She closed the door and turned back, analyzing Ruth’s flushed cheeks and shaky hands. “What is troubling you?”
“Nothing. I am perfectly well.”
“You do not have to confide in me, but you must know you’re not fooling me.”
Ruth swallowed. “That is not my intention.”
Which, quite frankly, was a lie. She hoped her stepmother would accept her answers and leave her to it.
There was a small creak in the floorboards under the bed. Ruth shifted on her feet, hoping the sound would pass unnoticed. “Was there anything else?” She tried to affect a yawn.
“How are you feeling about this house party thus far?”
“It has been enjoyable, but I find myself missing my bed.”
“As one does,” Lady Helena agreed. “It has been so lovely spending time with Mrs. Watson again. Have you felt friendships grow with any of the young ladies?”
“They are all kind. One would expect a more competitive nature in a situation like this, but I have not experienced that with any of them.”
“The twins have always been sweet girls. Miss Edmonds has a more colorful history, but she seems to be behaving herself. I wondered if she had set her sights on Oliver.”
“Oh?” Ruth’s voice squeaked, and it took great restraint not to glance at the boots beneath her bed. “She has seemed interested in Mr. Bailey to me.”
“Andhehas been interested inyou.” Lady Helena’s smile widened. “He’s handsome and in good financial standing. He inherited his father’s estate when his brother died a few years ago, so he has been somewhat reclusive since then. But he seems interested in obtaining a wife now. At least, Lord Rocklin told me he did not have to persuade Mr. Bailey to accept the invitation. He sent the first acceptance.”
“That poor man. To believe you must make a life for yourselfelsewhere and then lose your brother and receive his estate all at one time.”
