Page 91 of Winterset
I opened the door.
“You’re not ready for dinner.” She eyed me, her gaze sharpening when she saw my hands.
Mycharcoal-covered hands, I realized too late. “Imayhave gotten distracted drawing and lost track of time,” I confessed.
She shook her head in disapproval. “Now, Kate—”
“I didn’tmeanto,” I said, and it was true. We’d been apart all day, and I’d looked forward to dining with Oliver tonight. But I was also relieved that I would not have to face him. How could I sit so near him knowing what I did and not turn a deep shade of vermilion?
“What shall I tell Mr. Jennings?” Mrs. Owensby asked.
“Tell him ... that I ...” I bit my lip and shrugged.
She sighed. “I’ll tell him you are tired tonight and are taking a tray in your room. But he will expect you to come down for breakfast tomorrow, so don’t stay up too late drawing.”
Unfortunately, I did stay up too late drawing, but I wanted to see Oliver badly enough that I had no trouble getting out of bed and being on time for breakfast. Still, he was already waiting for me in the dining hall.
We said good morning, and he helped me with my chair and served me food. Then he sat and opened his newspaper. There was a tightness in him that hadn’t been there before yesterday. His shoulders were stiff and his jaw set, and he was concentrating far harder than normal on his newspaper.
What was he thinking about? What Charlie had said, no doubt.
Should I tell him I’d overheard their conversation so that we could discuss our options? It was obvious my presence was making him uncomfortable, but I worried that he was strategizing how to change our situation. I also worried that he wasn’t. I didn’t know what I wanted: to stay or to go, and that worried me too.
“What are you reading?” I asked, trying to make conversation.
“Forgive me for being rude.” He lowered the paper and moved to set it aside.
“Don’t stop reading on my account. I know you enjoy reading the newspaper over breakfast.”
“I must confess, it is a little disconcerting that you know that fact about me. I wonder ...” Oliver glanced at me sideways, as if looking at me fully would be too difficult. “What else do you know about me?”
My face warmed. There was no way he could know I’d overheard his conversation, could he?
He raised a brow at me. “I can see from your reaction that I have much to be embarrassed of.”
“No,” I said too quickly. “You have always behaved like a perfect gentleman.”
“Now Iknowyou are lying.” He chuckled.
“Well, save the time you were clearing the drive and you cursed heaven for the rain.”
“You were watching me work that day?” he said, looking at his plate.
“There was little else to do in the attic.” I shrugged.
“Interesting.” He finally met my gaze fully. “I worked shirtless that day.”
“I looked away before you took it off,” I lied, and I was sure he knew it because my face felt like it was on fire.
“I’m sure you did.” He gave me a wicked grin, then picked up his newspaper again. “What section would you prefer to read?” He thumbed through the pages. “The political column? Current events?”
Was he teasing me?
When I didn’t answer, he looked at me in question, and I was surprised to see that he seemed in earnest, if not nervous. Maybe he didn’t know what columns interested young ladies. “The fashion or Society column would be preferable.”
He sucked in a breath through his teeth. “I’m afraid you can’t have either ofthosecolumns. Clearly, they aremyfavorites.” He made a show of straightening his already straight cravat.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Ah, yes. Perhaps you could pick out a few new toppers. I’m sure you don’t have enough already.”
