Page 7 of The Rules of Courtship
A line formed between Lady Helena’s eyebrows.
Puffing up his shoulders, Papa squared Ruth with a look. “Lord Rocklin is hosting a house party in a fortnight, and I’ve written to accept the invitation on your behalf.”
“A house party,” Ruth replied. “Withyounggentlemen?”
“Of course,” Papa said, his bristly eyebrows dancing in confusion.
Ruth let out a puff of relief and took a large gulp of wine. At least Papa hadn’t imagined her desperate enough to marry the viscount. The implications of the house party swooped in, and her relief was short-lived. “Is there any particular reason you accepted before speaking to me?”
“Yes,” Papa said, stabbing a potato and eating it. He dabbed his forehead with his napkin. “I’d put off the reply too many days as it was.”
“My dear friend will be there, as well, with her husband,” Lady Helena said. “You remember Mrs. Watson?”
Ruth nodded. Though the acquaintance was slight, she recalled that the woman had been friends with Lady Helena when they were fresh on the marriage mart.
“I am looking forward to spending some time with her. We thought a house party might be an enjoyable way for you to pass a few weeks,” Lady Helena continued.
“And possibly find a husband?” Ruth added, lifting an eyebrow and holding her stepmother’s gaze.
Lady Helena put down her fork and knife. “While we are eager for situations in which you can meet gentlemen, there is no expectation of marriage until you are ready. Your father and I would like for you to have a love match. How could we wish for anything less?” She looked at Papa, and his answering smile was warm. They had both been blessed twice over to be married for love, finding one another after losing their spouses. Papa made no secret of how dearly he had loved his first wife, Ruth’s mother, and Lady Helena made no secret of how she had loved her first husband. Ruth’s older stepbrother had found love after losing his first wife as well. With these examples surrounding Ruth, how could she expect anything less for herself?
“We will never force you to marry,” Papa said. “You must know that.”
Indeed, but it was difficult to imagine otherwise when hewas constantly parading eligible gentlemen around her. “Of course, Papa,” she said.
“Good. Glad we’ve settled things.”
Ruth finished eating in silence. When they went to the drawing room together after dinner, Papa paused in the doorway. “Oliver came to speak to me a few days ago.”
Ruth’s steps faltered. “Oh?”
He studied her as though watching for a reaction. Had Papa seen her with Oliver the other day when she had been hiding in the tree? Of course, it hadn’t meant anything when he had taken her by the waist to help her down. To any outsider looking on, the situation likely seemed far more romantic than it was in actuality.
“He plans to attend the house party as well,” Papa said.
“Does he?” Ruth did her best to sound pleasantly surprised, but her heart raced. The way Oliver had helped her down from the branch had seared itself into her brain, coming about in her thoughts more often than it ought. “He hasn’t left his estate much since his grandmother died.”
“That was nearly a year ago.”
“Nine months, I believe,” Lady Helena said. “The poor man could use a distraction after everything he’s faced this year.”
“Indeed, and now he is looking for a wife.” Papa patted Ruth’s shoulder. “Do what you can to help him, Ruth.”
“Help him?” She reached the sofa and lowered herself on the edge of the cushion. “What could I possibly do?”
Papa shrugged, his chin jutting out in thought. “You are friends. You will have conversations with the ladies when the men are not present. Surely you can help him find a woman of good character.”
“Will Samuel be there, as well?” Ruth asked.
Papa frowned. “It wasn’t mentioned. But Mama will be with you?—”
“Only Mama?” Ruth looked between her parents.
Lady Helena’s gaze didn’t falter. “Your father needs to remain here with his horse.”
Papa shot her a flat-lipped look. “You say that as though I’ve chosen a horse over my daughter.”
Lady Helena’s lifted eyebrows spoke for themselves.
