“Good. We must make haste now,” Georgiana said, “or the company will leave without us and we shall have to ride to the ruins with the groom.” She went to wait in the corridor, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
Marrying Ollie seemed the logical course in every way. He was all the things Georgiana had said, and our foundation of friendshipwouldlend itself well to building a strong marriage. But . . . could I marry without love?
I stared down at Mama’s ring on my finger.
All my life, I’d believed that my parents’ marriage had been a love match—that they met, fell in love, and married—but their union had been arranged without love or affection. Mama had not even cared for Papa when they married, but they had grown in love together.
A love match had always been my greatest desire, but perhaps love had many faces. There was passionate love, like I’d experienced with Damon, of course, but what about a love of compassion like I felt for Ollie? Surely that also held value.
Everyone thought we would make a good match—Papa, Mama, Lady Winfield, Georgiana—evenIhad once wanted us to marry. Perhaps with time and care, lovecouldgrow like it had for Mama and Papa. I wasn’t sure it was possible, but I hoped it was—if not for myself, then for Damon.
With a steadying breath, I slipped my hands into the gloves.
Henry and Georgiana were waiting for me in the corridor. We walked down to the grand staircase, and I was relieved to find Amelia waiting at the bottom in her own riding habit. I hurried ahead of Henry and Georgiana to where she stood. “Thank goodness you are here, Amelia. I must ask you a favor.”
“Anything,” she said. “What is it?”
“Please do not leave my side.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Is something wrong?”
“Not yet,” I said. “But Georgiana believes that Ollie plans to propose marriage to me.”
Her eyes widened. “You do not think he will declare his suit while we are out ridingtoday, do you?”
“I don’t know, and I am not ready to find out. Not today.”
She nodded. “I promise not to leave your side.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”
“Miss Atherton,” Henry said when he and Georgiana joined us. “Will your brother be coming with us today?”
“Not likely,” Amelia said.
“Does he not enjoy riding?” Georgiana asked.
“Not at all. In fact, he rather despises how saddles wrinkle his clothing. I expect he has hunted out Captain Bromley’s library and is halfway through reading a book.”
“An honorable pastime indeed,” Henry said. “Well then. Let us be on our way to the stableyard.”
Unlike at Summerhaven, the horses here were kept nearer to the main house and required only a short walk.
As soon as we entered the stableyard, my gaze found Damon. He looked dashing in his dark riding coat; the deep color brought out the blue in his stormy eyes.
“Ah,” Georgiana said, pointing toward the far end of the yard. “There is your Mr. Jennings.”
“He is notmyanything.”
“He will be soon.” She smiled. “And look, he is standing with His Grace’s daughter, Lady Margaret. It is only too bad his dreary brother, Lord Jennings, is there too. We shall have to hope he is good-humored today.” Georgiana moved as if to leave.
“Georgia—” I reached for her elbow, but she evaded my grasp.
“I thought my wife planned to see you engaged by the end of this house party,” Henry said. “But it seems she is intent to have you married by sundown.” With a chuckle, he strode after her.
I reluctantly followed, my half boots sinking into the soft soil.
“Miss Kent,” Ollie said as we approached. “I was beginning to worry you had abandoned me.”
