Ollie watched the others file into the dining hall, nodded for the butler to hold the door, and when we were alone, he faced me. “I . . . suppose I didn’t appreciate Mother forcing us to dance.”
“You feltforcedto dance with me?”
“No,” he said quickly. “It’s not that I didn’twantto dance with you, I did, but I must make every effort to secure the best future for myself.”
Though I wanted to argue thatIwas the best future for him, I’d asked him for clarity, and he’d given it to me plainly. He didn’t see me as his best option for the future. There was nothing more to say. I pulled my arm from his and turned toward the dining room.
“Hannah,” Ollie called after me, but I didn’t turn back. It was too painful. He stood so close but was so far out of reach. Why had he even invited me to come to Summerhaven? Perhaps he hadn’t. Perhaps Lady Winfield had acted of her own accord and invited me without his knowledge or permission.
No. I pushed away the thought. Ollie, whatever his faults, had wanted me to come to Summerhaven, even if only as a friend.
Dinner passed in an unending blur of conversation. I kept my head down as I ate so I wouldn’t be called upon to participate. I just wanted this night to be over. If only Mama were here to comfort and guide me.
When at last the meal was finished, Lady Winfield and I withdrew to the drawing room. “You were quiet this evening, my dear.”
“I apologize for not being better company. I confess I am still exhausted from last night’s ball.”
Lady Winfield nodded kindly. “Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?”
I shook my head. She looked as if she wanted to say more, but I was grateful she made no further attempt to pull me into conversation. I would have been unable to set aside my emotions long enough to string more than a few words together.
Not long after we sat, the men joined us in the drawing room. Ollie continued past me, taking up residence by the hearth, and Damon lingered somewhere behind. How long did I need to stay before excusing myself?
“Dinner was delicious,” Papa said to Lord Winfield as they sat in armchairs opposite the sofa.
Lord Winfield beamed with obvious pride. “Our chef is from France. I believe he even studied under the same master as the prince regent’s chef. Isn’t that right, my dear?”
“I hardly remember,” Lady Winfield said modestly. “Shall we have some music on the pianoforte this evening?”
I glanced at the grand pianoforte on the opposite side of the room and tensed, worried she would ask me to play.
“Splendid idea,” Lord Winfield agreed a bit too heartily, and he coughed. “I would be delighted to hear you play, my dear.”
My shoulders relaxed in relief.
“You have never heard her superior, Kent.”
Papa’s face fell. Mama had been as talented at the piano as she was lovely. How I missed her melodies.
“What song will you delight us with tonight?” Lord Winfield asked his wife.
“We shall see what speaks to me.” Lady Winfield sifted through some music sheets and selected a lively sonata. Mozart. One of Mama’s favorites. I wondered if Lady Winfield knew.
Papa and Lord Winfield listened for a short while, then resumed their speaking.
Unguarded, my gaze wandered to Ollie, his handsome profile highlighted by the firelight.
“Miss Kent?” Damon stepped in front of me, blocking my view, and he raised an eyebrow.
“I’m sorry. What did you say?”
“I asked if you would care to join me in a game of chess.” He gestured to a small table where a chessboard was set. Damon’s gaze flickered to Ollie and then back to me.
Ah yes. The experiment. I had momentarily forgotten.
After the clarity Ollie had provided me in the corridor before dinner, I hardly felt up to it. I opened my mouth to tell him as much, but Ollie spoke first. “She doesn’t want to play with you, Damon.”
Mother’s temper flared within me. “On the contrary,” I said. “A game of chess sounds delightful.”
