Page 121 of Winterset
Love.Oliver hadn’t told me they’d been in love. Hannah was a lovely person, though, as pretty to look upon as she was kind. I could understand why he’d felt that way toward her, even if I didn’t want to think about it. “He mentioned you were friends growing up,” I hedged, hoping she might say more.
“We were,” she said. “Close friends. So close that I thought we would marry someday.”
I’d seen firsthand how happily married she was to Lord Jennings. Her words had not been said to inspire jealousy, but there was a whole history between the three of them that I did not know, and I could not help feeling envious. “Oh,” I said, surprised.
“But our feelings never aligned. When Ollie proposed—”
“Oliver asked you tomarryhim?” The jealousy sprang up inside me like a sudden storm. He’d proposedmarriage? He’d never said. He’d never even hinted.
“He did ask,” Hannah said slowly, taking in my shock. “But he did not love me, at least not as anything more than a friend. I think he knew it even then but felt that marrying me was his duty.”
I furrowed my brow. “How was it you came to marry Lord Jennings?”
“That story is long enough to fill a book.” She smiled. “Damon is the match of my heart; he always was. It simply took me a while to see him. My only regret is that my decision to marry Damon deepened the division that already existed between the brothers.” She worried her lower lip. “I’ve upset you,” she said. “I am sorry. I thought you knew.”
“You have no need to apologize. You did nothing wrong. There is just so much I don’t know about Oliver. So much I will never know.” I would likely never even see him again. The sooner I accepted that, the happier I might be.
“I wish there were something more I could do to change your circumstances.”
“You already are doing so much. You’ve taken me into your home and are helping me find a new place to live. I am so grateful to you and Lord Jennings. I just miss Oliver terribly.”
Hannah set her hand on my shoulder. “Sometimes, things have a way of working out.”
“And sometimes, at least in my case, they don’t.”
A knock came at the door. It was Lady Winfield, and she was holding both babies, one on each hip. “Oh, Kate. You look so beautiful.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
“Hannah,” she said. “Would you like to look over the ballroom with me one last time to ensure everything is prepared before the guests arrive?”
“I would,” Hannah said. “Will you excuse me, Kate? I’ll be right back, and then we can style your hair.”
“Of course,” I said, and they excused themselves.
Alone, I sat at my vanity table and took a deep breath. So much had changed in such a short time. Most of it, for the better. But, oh, how I missed Oliver!
Oliver
After two torturous days, Summerhavenfinally came into view. One more hill was all that stood between me and Kate.
I kicked my horse’s flanks, and he sprang forward. “Faster, boy! Faster!”
The horse ran at a feverish pace, but it was not fast enough. I needed to see Katenow, to know that she was here and unharmed.
I’d prayed for her safety my whole journey, but what if—No. I would not allow myself to even think it.
I cursed the hill, the long drive, the steps, the locked door, all keeping me from Kate.
I pounded on the door. I pounded so hard my hands hurt.
Only seconds passed, but it felt an eternity before the butler appeared. Caldwell. I’d known him my whole life.
“Master Oliver.” He blinked at me in surprise but quickly recovered. “Welcome home,” he greeted.
“Thank you, Caldwell,” I said as I hurried inside.
“Is she here?” I said, looking for some sign of her.
