Standing in front of an oil painting of the river that went through the Winfields’ lands, I heard the low timbre of voices approaching in the corridor.
“You shouldn’t dance with Hannah, Ollie,” Damon said, and although he spoke quietly, his voice carried from the corridor into the drawing room where I stood.
“Whyever not?” Ollie replied.
“Youknowwhy not.”
Anger stirred within me. Just because Damon didn’t want to dance did not mean he needed to poison Ollie against me.
I hastily stepped into the corridor where the brothers stood. Ollie’s back was to me, but Damon’s eyebrows shot up. “Hannah,” he sputtered. “I thought you were otherwise occupied in the drawing room.”
“I am certain that is true,” I said, and I angled my body so I faced only Ollie, hoping Damon would take the snub for what it was. “Shall we take a stroll in the garden tomorrow morning? From my window, I can see that the lavender is in full bloom. I would love a bouquet to scent my room.”
Ollie looked at his brother and then at me. “I would enjoy that very much.”
I nodded, satisfied that even though Damon disapproved of me, Ollie did not.
Chapter Four
Ollie had always been anearly riser, often beating the roosters out of bed to watch the sunrise. He’d once written in a letter that there wasn’t a more magical, hopeful time of day; like a filled teacup, the newness of the day brimmed with possibility. I’d thought the sentiment romantic at the time, but this morning, it was decidedly less so.
I had risen early for our walk and readied myself with anticipation, but when I’d come downstairs to meet him, I discovered him already out of residence. And worse yet, no one seemed to know when he would return.
I tried not to be cross as I walked back upstairs to my bedchamber, but it was exceedingly difficult. Had he forgotten about our walk? Or perhaps he’d grown tired of waiting for me? I had not taken so long to get ready, but I was alittlelate.
With a sigh, I perched myself on the window seat to wait for him. The sun was still creeping up into the sky. And although clouds obscured most of the light, a few rays escaped, making for a stunning sight.
Sunrises in the city were not nearly as extraordinary as in the country; buildings blocked my view, and as the sun rose, so did the stench. In truth, unlike Ollie, I’d always preferred sunset. Of reflecting on a hard day’s work, listening to Mama play the pianoforte after dinner, and reading theEvening Postby the fire with Papa. Sunset brought the feeling of peace, if not possibility.
But our differences were what made Ollie and me such good friends and what would one day make us good spouses.
Together, we were whole.
Which is why I waited all afternoon for Ollie. But he did not return until it was time to dress for the ball.
As Nora helped me dress and styled my hair, I took a steadying breath, trying to calm my emotions. The Rumfords’ ball tonight was supposed to mark the beginning of the rest of my life, and I did not want to go into the event, much less my future, vexed. Whatever reason Ollie had for not being present for our walk, it must have been important.
Once ready, I walked down the corridor toward the grand staircase to join the rest of the company downstairs in the entrance hall. As I neared the staircase, voices blended in conversation. I paused at the top of the stairs. Lord and Lady Winfield stood near the door with Papa, and Ollie conversed with Damon. Ollie stood stiff and straight in his dark tailored suit, looking every bit the gentleman. Damon, on the other hand, leaned against the wood-paneled wall, tugging at his cravat like a bored schoolboy.
Damon noticed me first. He took in my appearance, his eyebrows creeping up his forehead in unchecked approval, and then as if remembering himself, he nudged Ollie and motioned with his head to where I stood on the stairs.
Ollie glanced over his shoulder, and I hoped for the same unguarded appreciation Damon had given me. But the only indication he approved of my appearance was a slight smile.
I smoothed my hands over the empire waist of my white crepe dress. Though this dress was not thelatestfashion, Nora had worked tediously to make several improvements to the bodice and trim. And she’d painstakingly secured my hair into the most elegant chignon, taking care to frame my face with ringlets and weave tiny white flowers into my hair.
I touched the top of my white gloves, ensuring one last time they were in place, then descended the stairs.
“My dear,” Papa said, walking over to meet me at the base of the staircase. “You look as beautiful as your mother did on the night we met.”
The night they fell in love.
My heart soared like a bird caught in a sudden gale. All my life, I’d dreamed of marrying for love like my parents had. I could hardly believe my own story was about to grow wings and take flight this very eve.
“The picture of beauty and grace,” Lady Winfield agreed.
My face warmed with their compliments. “Thank you, Papa. Lady Winfield.”
Papa rejoined Lord and Lady Winfield at the door, and I dared another glance at Ollie.
