Henry loudly cleared his throat.
“Not as handsome as your brother, mind you. But marrying him would better your life in every way.”
Except one. He wasn’t Damon. I shook my head.
“Make her see reason, Henry.”
My brother looked at me pityingly. “I know you are decided against him, but Mr. Jenningsisa fine match for you. I believe you would have a good life together.”
If Ollie had offered for me at the beginning of the summer, I would have said yes without reservation. But now . . . “I cannot pretend to feel something I do not.”
“I believe you are making a mistake that you will live to regret,” Georgiana said.
“Would you like to ride back?” Henry asked me.
I nodded weakly.
“I will continue on with the rest of the company and make your excuses. Hopefully we will avoid the worst of the gossip.” Georgiana guided her horse away.
Henry and I walked our horses back toward the stables. My horse chomped at her bit, wanting to run, but I reined her in, needing the quiet of the meadow to think about what had just happened.
“I don’t understand your reasons for denying Mr. Jennings,” Henry finally said. “But I believe Mama would be proud of you for following your heart.”
“Do you really think so?”
“I know so,” Henry said. “When I was attempting to court Georgiana, you may remember that she was not at all interested in me. Season after Season, I tried to win her affection, but she saw me only as a friend.” He shrugged. “I tried to feel something for other young women, but my heart would not be moved. I was ready to give up, but Mama told me that love was worth working for, and that I would only ever be truly happy by being true to my own heart.”
“And you won Georgiana.”
“Not without a great deal of effort and humility on my part, but yes. I know you must be frightened about your future, but I want you to know that you will always have a place with Georgiana and me.”
“Thank you, Henry,” I said, and I locked his words away in my heart. Even if I forever remained unmarried, at least I would not be alone.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Ollie did not come downto dinner that night, and I relied on Henry to escort me into the dining hall. Once seated, he served food first to his wife, then to me, and finally, for himself. And as we ate, he and Georgiana both made an effort to include me in their conversation, although I had very little to say, and they eventually left me alone.
Was this how the rest of my life would be? Would I always have to rely on others? I hated the thought of being the poor spinster sister, of being a burden.
I would have to find some way of supporting myself; perhaps I could secure a position as a governess. I was sure I could find some measure of happiness in caring for children, even if they weren’t my own. Or I could try my hand at writing like Miss Edgeworth, my favorite author. She was unmarried and seemed to find joy in the craft. Why not I?
I had no appetite, but I forced myself to take a bite of food. I glanced at Damon. He sat near the head of the table with Lady Margaret at his side. And though he did not smile at her as they spoke, he also did not look unhappy. She was a beautiful young lady and seemed kind. And most importantly, she would save Summerhaven, which meant, in the end, she would savehim.
***
After supper, as Georgiana and I were walking through the entry hall to the drawing room, Ollie appeared on the stairs. His hair was mussed, his eyes dim, and he was not dressed in dinner attire but, rather, traveling clothes.
Georgiana and I slowed.
“Mrs. Kent,” Ollie said to Georgiana. “Might I have a word in private with Miss Kent?”
Georgiana looked at me, and her gaze held the smallest glimmer of hope that perhaps Ollie and me would reconcile. “Don’t be too long,” she cautioned, and then she left us alone in the entry hall.
“You are leaving,” I said.
He nodded, then stared at me for a long moment. He reached into the inner pocket of his greatcoat and pulled out a letter. He looked at it in his hands for a few moments and then handed it to me.
I ran my fingers over my name penned in elegant script.
