I couldn’t decide which word I disliked more:Miss Digbyorfriend?“Oh.”
“Hannah?”
“Sorry. It’s just, three people would make for an uneven set.”
“I had not thought of that.” Ollie was quiet for a moment. “Shall we include Miss Atherton then? I believe you got on well with her at the ball. We will also invite her brother, Mr. Atherton. You will like him.”
“That is good, but our numbers would again be unequal.” My perfect picnic with Ollie was slipping through my fingers the larger our party grew. I needed to turn this picnic in my favor. “We must invite one other gentleman.”
“Yes.” He nodded. “But who? Lord Graham is still in London, and Lord Chilcott—”
“Damon,” I said. “We must invite Damon.”
Ollie frowned. “The last time we picnicked with Damon, the day did not end so well.”
“Not well at all,” I agreed. “But that was ages ago, and I highly doubt he will have the time or the inclination to catch any frogs.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure.” Ollie glowered.
“Damon is the obvious choice. It would be unkind to exclude him.”
Ollie slid his tongue across his teeth, jutting out his lips. “Very well,” he said. “I will extend the invitation, but I do not think he will accept. He rarely condescends for social events these days.”
“Then let me ask him. I’m sure he’ll agree to come.”
Ollie’s eyes narrowed.
Before he could investigate the subject, I stood. “I should be going. I don’t want to keep your mother waiting; we are going into town today.”
“Yes, I know. To the modiste with Lady Rumford and Miss Atherton. It’s all mother can talk about.” He smiled. “Prepare yourself; I believe she means to spoil you.”
“She’s said as much, but I don’t mind.” It had been so long since I had been doted on by a motherly figure, and I couldn’t wait.
“Youhateshopping. Truly, you may want to consider faking an illness.”
I frowned. “Iusedto dislike shopping, but now I find it rather enjoyable.”
“Oh,” Ollie said with a shake of his head. “My apologies. Enjoy your trip into town then.”
“Thank you.”
We said goodbye, and I excused myself. I was glad Ollie still cared about me, that he wanted my good opinion and my friendship, but it wasn’t enough.
Before today, I’d thought the problem was that he didn’t see me, but that wasn’t the problem. The problem was that he still saw me as a little girl he could be friends with and not as a woman he could love.
Did he love Miss Digby?
She was beautiful to be sure, but real love was built upon more than just a pretty face. True love, like Mama and Papa had, was built upon a solid foundation of friendship and memories and sacrifice.
Ollie and I had that in spades. I only needed to remind him.
But how?
Lady Winfield was standing by the carriage when I rounded the corner. “Ah! There you are, my dear.”
“Please forgive my lateness, Lady Winfield. I was enjoying your garden and was about to come to the carriage when Ollie found me. I lost track of time.”
Lady Winfield smiled. “Think nothing of it.”
