Page 45 of The Rules of Courtship
On the contrary. There was no understanding thegamessome women played. But Ruth? She was a book he had read so many times he knew it cover to cover. He could feel the shifts in her moods and guess precisely how she was feeling. He could predict when she would find something humorous enough to laugh.
Evidently Ruth had not been able to read Bailey well enough, because she was entirely wrong about the way he felt about Miss Edmonds.
“Has she always been this way?” Oliver asked.
“Who, Miss Edmonds?” Bailey gave a small laugh. “I only met her for the first time last week. Miss Wycliffe seems different, though,” Bailey continued, oblivious to the turmoil within Oliver’s head. “She does not seem the sort of woman for manipulation or games.”
“She is a master at games,” Oliver said. Had she not developed a ridiculous set of rules merely to avoid Samuel for the last few years? “But you are correct about manipulation—Ruth does not have an unkind or deceitful bone in her body.”
Bailey gave a thoughtful sound, and they resumed silencejust as a heavy, cold drop fell on his cheekbone. The rain had arrived.
Picking up their pace, the men walked as quickly as they could while the rain steadily increased. They’d used their coats to carry Edmonds, so they had nothing with which to cover him. The sky darkened with thick, gray clouds, but when Oliver glanced up to the horizon, he could see the edges of Rocklin’s estate come into view. There was still a good deal of land between them and the house, but they were near the end, which was both gratifying and exhausting.
Oliver readjusted his hold on the branches and breathed deeply while the rain hammered his shoulders and hat and likely soaked the injured Edmonds.
Despite his physical discomfort, the thing plaguing him most was the information Bailey had shared about Miss Edmonds. Oliver could not keep it to himself. Ruth ought to know that Bailey had no designs on Miss Edmonds, whatever the lady believed. As loath as he was to admit it, Bailey appeared a decent chap with a good income, a healthy estate, a talent for riding, a love for horses, and an interest in Ruth. He was a real suitor with a chance at winning her hand.
It bothered Oliver, but he was in no position to fight for her hand, not when he was in the emotional state he was in, waiting for news about his father and mourning the loss of his grandmother—the only mother figure he’d ever known. Besides, she had as much as explained she would never look at him that way.
Oliver blinked water from his eyes and searched his stamina for more energy. His arms strained against the weight, the branches growing slick with rain. Currently, he likely resembled a drowned hunting dog, but his emotions were just as messy, and Ruth deserved far better than a mess.
She deserved someone precisely like Bailey.
Now, he just needed to find the courage to tell her what he had learned.
Chapter Sixteen
Rule #16: Never play chess while distracted
Mr. Edmonds’ injury had come as a shock to the entire house. He was sodden with rain when he was carried to his bedchamber and seen by the doctor, but despite the thorough examination and use of Mrs. Watson’s smelling salts, he did not awaken until later that evening, then promptly fell asleep again, sleeping through the entirety of the next day.
The dancing for Saturday evening had been postponed. Mrs. Hoover was informed her services would be requested again once they were aware of the state of Mr. Edmonds’s health. The entire house party, except for Emily, attended church in the village the following morning and passed the Sabbath with restful activities.
When they all gathered in the drawing room for dinner, Emily made her first appearance. Ruth noticed her right away from the chair she occupied near the fire. Emily’s smile was drawn, her eyes wary. Lord Rocklin and Mr. Kellinger immediatelyapproached her, taking her arms to lead her toward the sofa. “You must rest, Miss Edmonds,” Lord Rocklin said with empathy. “Do not feel you must dine with us if you would prefer a tray in your room—or in your brother’s chamber.”
She gave him a grateful smile, smoothing her hands down her deep green gown. “I thank you, my lord, but the distraction of dining with others is exactly what I need at present.”
He gave her a jovial smile, showcasing his missing tooth. “Then I am glad to have you join us.”
Ruth picked a thread from her pink gown, returning her attention to Samuel, who occupied the chair beside hers. “Do you intend to remain for the rest of the week?” she asked quietly.
It had been something Lady Helena mentioned. Given the accident, it might be more appropriate for each of them to return home and end the house party early. It was a show of respect for the Edmonds siblings. The Temple twins would be heartbroken, of course, which had led Lady Helena to decide to wait. Lord Rocklin would surely send everyone home if he deemed it necessary, would he not? Anyway, while Mrs. Watson had taken on the role of chaperone for Emily and the Temple sisters, she could not leave until the party disbanded. And Lady Helena wanted to spend as much time with Mrs. Watson as she was able.
“I have left that decision with Oliver,” Samuel said. His golden waistcoat paired well with his blue coat, making him look dashing and regal, his dark golden hair shining from the low burning fire. “I am utterly at his disposal.”
“I hope you will both stay at least as long as I am,” Ruth said, “but it is certainly understandable if Oliver wishes to be home.”
Samuel’s blue eyes searched her face. “He told you, then.”
“Yes.” She grimaced. “I cannot help wondering how best to support him.”
Samuel shook his head, sighing. “We can do nothing more than we are doing now, Ruth. Wait for more information.”
“We can pray for his father’s recovery.”
“Well, yes. That, too.”
She grinned briefly, but caught Emily’s eye and dropped her smile immediately. How would Ruth feel if either of her brothers were upstairs now, unconscious and injured? She would not be smiling, either.
