I wanted to believe him, but he held his secrets closer than a hand of cards. He didn’t wish to marry, but he would not tell me why. And who was the man he’d been speaking with? Why had he flirted with Miss Digby when he knew his brother was attempting to court her? And Ollie had called Damon opportunistic. What had that meant?
Damon walked back to the carriage to assist the footman.
“Damon,” Lady Winfield called, “leave your coat.”
“I had thought not to scandalize Miss Kent by removing any articles of clothing today, but seeing as this is my best coat, perhaps you’re right, Mother.”
Lady Winfield rubbed her forehead. “Never have sons, Hannah. They will turn you gray before your time.”
“Mama said the same thing about daughters,” I confessed.
Damon retraced his steps to the side of the road and stood in front of me. He pulled open his coat and relaxed his broad shoulders, freeing first his right arm from his sleeve and then his left. His shirt sleeves clung to his thick arms, his waistcoat to his tapered torso.
Swallowing hard, I forced my gaze to his cravat. Where it was safe. Where it was proper.
He gathered the garment into his hands and held it out to me. “If you’d be so kind, Miss Kent? I know how much you admire the fine cut of my coats, so I believe it will be safe in your care.”
I grabbed the coat, a bit more forcefully than I’d intended, and his mouth twisted into a satisfied grin.
I narrowed my eyes at the infuriating man. Must he always tease me so?
“Come, my dear,” Lady Winfield called to me. “Let us wait in the shade.”
I turned on my heel and followed her to a copse of willow trees. I sat on a log and laid Damon’s coat on my lap.
From my position, I had a clear view of the carriage. Damon and the footman worked together to wedge a long branch under the stuck wheel. And with his jacket removed, Damon’s strength could not be hidden. The thin material of his shirt strained across his shoulders and arms.
“Did you enjoy our visit to town today?” Lady Winfield’s voice startled me.
Had she seen me watching Damon? Oh dear. I truly did not have a good explanation for that.
“I-I did, yes. Thank you so much for buying me such a beautiful dress.”
She waved me off. “Truly, it was my pleasure.” Lady Winfield sat on the opposite end of the log and adjusted her skirts. “It was nice of you to invite Damon to Ollie’s picnic.”
“I could hardly do otherwise.” At least not if our littlearrangementwas to work tomyadvantage.
“I suppose I worried that after the way you parted so many years ago, things might be strained.”
“That was such a long time ago.”
“It was,” she agreed. “Much has changed since then, hasn’t it?” Lady Winfield’s gaze turned studious.
Having no idea what she was searching for, I straightened, trying to appear a lady.
“Hannah, I must make a confession,” Lady Winfield said. “Miss Digby seems to have set her sights on Ollie. And though I’m sure she’s a lovely girl, I don’t believe she’s the right match for my son.” She grimaced. “I thought that if I invited you here—or rather, Ihoped—the pair of you would pick up where you left off. You always were two peas in one pod.”
Ah. Lady Winfield was playing matchmaker.
I knew from Papa that Mama and Lady Winfield had once dreamed of Ollie and me marrying one day, but I was surprised she still held that dream.
“I’m just glad to visit.”
“I am glad you are here too, but there is more.” She nervously clasped and unclasped her hands. “When I invited you to Summerhaven, I did so without Ollie’s knowledge or permission.”
While I’d guessed as much in the days following his failure to greet Papa and me, I hadn’t let myself believe it. The confirmation hurt, but I tried not to let her see my disappointment.
“I’m truly sorry—” Her voice caught, and she placed a hand on her chest beneath her throat. “I apologize if my meddling has caused you heartache.”
