Page 84 of The Rules of Courtship
She took a careful step closer. “He might not have been your father in truth, but he did think of you as a son. He cared for you deeply, Oliver. But he did not have a good relationship with your grandmother, which often kept him away. I hoped his returning to Boone Park would mend that for you both.”
“I was glad he came.”
She smiled kindly. “May I offer advice? I know it is presumptuous of me.” Oliver nodded, so she continued. “William sacrificed a great deal so you could be brought up legitimate and to protect your secret. I hope you will take that into consideration when you decide what to do with the information you have received. Protect the name of your wife and future children, and do not let William’s sacrifices be in vain.”
The desire to proudly claim his new brother warred with the pull he felt to keep Ruth free from scandal, to protect their future children. He understood the words she did not say, as well. He should not allowEsther’ssacrifices to be in vain. William was not the only one who had been forced to give up family.
“I will leave you now,” Esther said. “I have been packing our trunks. We plan to set out the moment it is bright enough for safe travel. Please think on what I’ve said. I will always welcome a letter from you, Oliver. I would’ve liked for things to have been different between us, for you to have been brought up in my house with my girls, but alas, your grandmother had the final word.” She gave him a soft smile. “I do hope we will see one another again.”
Oliver felt oddly emotional at the admission. Her eyes shonehopefully, the tender expression not unlike the way Lady Helena often looked at Ruth—and she was a stepmother. One did not have to be naturally born to appreciate one’s parents. Oliver could admit that. He had been loved for the duration of his life. He felt, upon hearing this, that while he first believed his family had shrunk with Captain Rose’s news, it had only grown. “I would like that,” he said at length. “Please eat before you leave. I will send for breakfast to be set as soon as possible.”
“That would be wonderful. Thank you.” Esther dipped a small curtsy before making her way toward the stairs.
Jacob raised an eyebrow. “Interesting,” he whispered.
“What do you think of her advice?”
“It is sound. We do not have to tell the whole of Harewood that we are brothers for it to be truth. I care not for their opinions, anyway.”
Brothers. “Then it is settled. We need not say anything now.” He reached forward, firmly shaking Jacob’s hand.
“Would you like to meet your niece?” Jacob asked.
Oliver startled, the connection locking into place. Eliza and Jacob’s new baby was hisniece. “Yes,” he said, with feeling. “I would like that very much.”
“Then I will fetch you the moment she wakes,” Jacob said around a yawn.
“I will see to breakfast for Esther and her daughters. Shall I have a tray sent up?”
“No. I am hoping to fall back asleep.”
“Good luck,” Oliver said, leaving him to it.
He could not hide the bounce in his step or the smile on his face as he walked away to see to his tasks. In just a few days, his life had become more enriched than he could have possibly dreamed.
The day passedwithout Ruth visiting Boone Park—a feat which Oliver found to be excessively tiresome. He wanted to see her, to touch her,now. Waiting until he had put off mourning before the banns could be read was already utter torment. He was glad for the distraction of his cousin and her sweet new baby, but it did not make him miss Ruth any less.
Eliza remained in their grandmother’s room, sleeping most of the day and being attended to by her maid, Anne, when she needed something. Jacob and Peter were in and out of the house, but everyone else had gone to their homes.
It was pleasant having a quiet house again. Oliver did not mind hearing the baby cry every so often. Just knowing his uncles had returned to their homes and were no longer eating his carefully economized stores was a boon to his spirit. He had also spent a good amount of time with Jacob today, talking about their habits, how they were each raised, the commonalities they shared, and their differences of opinions. It was like discovering a new book he enjoyed and hoping the author had written many more. Oliver wanted to learn everything he possibly could about Jacob Ridley, and he had been gratified to feel the sentiment returned.
By the early afternoon, he was seriously debating riding through the abutting fields that connected his land to Wycliffe’s in the hopes Ruth would be out as well, when Harrison let himself into the drawing room. “Are you at home for visitors, sir?”
Oliver thought the mourning visits were through already, that his aunt had managed all of them. He worked on devising an excuse, wondering if he could use Eliza’s situation to keep people from visiting, when Harrison’s brow rose.
“What is it?” he asked his butler.
“I think you will want to welcome these guests.”
Oliver sat up straighter. “Ruth?”
Harrison nodded.
“Gads, man. See her in. You never need ask when it is Ruth. She will soon be the mistress here, you know.”
Harrison kept a straight face. “I have heard, yes.”
Oliver shooed him from the room. “Fetch her, please.”
