Page 42 of An Amiable Foe
At her words, Lord Steere nodded, satisfied. “I’m glad to hear it. You seem like a very nice young lady, and I’m sure you will have a fine life here with some local chap.” He took a large bite of the ham, seemingly content to focus on his meal now that he had said his piece.
Marianne stood. “I am sure you will excuse me. I must see that everything is ready for my departure.” Lord Steere’s mouth was full, so he waved her along with his fork, and she left the room.
The disappointment wrought by Lord Steere’s disapproval was a crushing thing to bear, and Marianne attempted to put it aside until she was alone and could sort through how she felt. She went upstairs into the main hall where their belongings for the cottage were placed in a pile near the open door of the front entrance.
Outside, Perry was waiting for her in the cart. She would still call him Perry because he wished it. But must he be a mere friend to her—like Robert was—and nothing more? It seemed too difficult, now that her heart was engaged, to stem the feelings that rose up. If she truly worked at quashing any sentiment other than friendship, she might be able to maintain an indifference to him in her heart. But it would take continual effort on her part and would be impossible if he showed signs of tenderness on his.
Jack and Albinus came to pick up her trunk and carried it between them as Sarah followed, holding both her and Miss Fife’s belongings. Miss Fife limped to the cart, clutching Charlie’s arm and was helped into the middle of the bench on the cart so that Marianne would be deprived of sitting next to Perry again. He nevertheless came and assisted her onto her seat, smiling at her with a deliberateness that spun her into doubt again. Did he not agree with his uncle on her suitability? And if he did not, could he withstand his uncle’s influence?
Once settled in the cart, Marianne faced forward. What a remarkable thing it must be to have a gentleman one admired single you out—for a lady to be chosen out of all the other women in London, or even here. But she must be misunderstanding his looks and his words. She was just a green girl with no knowledge of society.
Perry flicked the reins and the cart moved forward, and after a short while they were at the cottage. Their arrival coincided with Robert’s.
It appeared Marianne was to have Robert’s daily visits again. She was not sure how she felt about them any longer. It was good to have a friend, but it was hard not to compare him to Perry now that she knew what it felt like to love. Her heart had never once fluttered in such a way with Robert. As Perry helped her down from the cart, his gaze was fixed on Robert and his mouth pulled down into a frown.
The servants made quick work of bringing all their belongings in as Marianne went over to greet her friend.
“You’ve come to see me. You haven’t been coming to the castle.”
“Too busy there,” he said, with a glower in Perry’s direction.
After a brief nod of greeting, Perry went inside and began to open the shutters in the drawing room. He was making everything welcoming inside, ensuring that all the shutters were opened and she had everything she needed. She wished she could be with him talking as he performed these actions.
“I must say, I’m glad you’re no longer living in the castle. It was not right, as I’ve told you. Not while single gentlemen were in residence there.” Robert tugged her hand, pulling her attention back to him.
“Not this again, Robert—please. The castle has always been my home. I cannot think of it the same way you do. Everything was properly done in the eyes of society, even if”—she glanced over at the cart and saw that Jack had already helped Miss Fife into the house—“even if Miss Fife is not much of a companion. But you should trust my integrity, if nothing else.”
“I do, but you don’t know what it’s like to be overpowered by a gentleman. You’re an innocent.” His gaze was intent upon her as though he wished to give her a sample of such a thing.
Marianne glanced toward the house. “Mr. Osborne would never do that. You don’t know him.”
Robert stepped closer, and it made her long to move back. His presence had never intimidated her in the past, but even before the dance, he had taken to stepping close to her while facing her, which felt too intimate. His breath had the remnants of lunch on it.
“You don’t know him either, Marianne. It’s time you think about moving to Grinnell again before you get too settled in here. And there’s the foal we can look after—”
“Robert.” Marianne spoke in a sharp voice—stronger than she ever had before—and set her shoulders squarely in front of him. “You must not speak to me about this again, not if you want us to remain friends. I want to make my home here. I will not be persuaded to change my mind by your words.”
He glared at her, and she saw the disappointment, the hurt—and it was the look of hurt that softened her. She placed her hand on his arm.
“Forgive me. I know you want what’s best for me. You must give me the space to make my own way. We’ve long been friends, have we not? I don’t want to lose that.”
Robert shifted to the side and fixed his regard on some distant spot. “I see I have been pressuring you too much, and it’s had the reverse effect. I will give you the space you ask for. In fact, I won’t come for a while. Perhaps then you’ll remember what a good friend I am and reconsider what it means to have me in your life.”
Marianne still had her hand on his arm, as though to soften her blow, but his words made her give a soft, pleading laugh.
“Don’t stay away too long, I beg you. I am only asking you to be my friend without there being the condition attached to it that I remove to Grinnell. Can you do that?”
He glanced at her, still turned away, his arms folded as though pouting. “Very well. I think I will not stay any longer just now.”
Then, in one swift movement, he turned and leaned down and gave her a kiss on her cheek, right close to her lips. Her mouth dropped open, and she darted a glance at him in time to see a dull flush on his cheeks.
“Good day, Marianne.”
Still stunned, she watched him go over to his horse and climb up. It had been awkward, and a little endearing, for she had known Robert her whole life; it was not his habit to show affection. But it had been enough to convince her, if she had needed such a thing, that she would never return his regard in the way he hoped. She could only wish that he find someone who would.
By the time she had reached the cottage interior, Perry had opened all of the shutters and was in the process of picking up the broken pieces of glass still laying on the floor of the sitting room. He glanced at her quickly, then looked down again.
“I regret that I did not think to have the glass repaired before today. I’ll see that the window is covered until I can find a glazier to do so.”
