He shook his head. “I have delayed my morning ride long enough. Ares requires exercise.”
I had the sudden longing to feel the wind on my skin, to smell the fresh scent of flowers and field and sky.
But no.
I’d come to Summerhaven to be with Ollie, and though things had not gone precisely to plan, it seemed I was finally being granted my wish to spend time alone with him, so I pushed away my frenzied feelings.
“Enjoy your ride,” I said to Damon, then I walked to Ollie’s side where I belonged.
Chapter Fifteen
After a pleasant breakfast withOllie, Nora helped me change into my finest day dress—a creamy muslin gown patterned with tiny green flowers—then I donned a pale-green pelisse for warmth and matching bonnet to highlight the color of my eyes. Heaven knew I needed all the help I could get to stand out against Miss Digby today.
When I came downstairs, Damon and Ollie were waiting for our guests on the steps outside; Damon stood nearer the left, and Ollie the right.
I hated to see them so at odds. My pretending to have feelings for Damon didn’t help their relationship, but hopefully once Ollie and I were happily settled, and he knew how Damon had helped bring us together, their relationship would mend.
As it was, I had no choice but to stand between them.
Ollie was too distracted by his fob watch to notice me, but Damon tipped his hat to me in greeting.
“How was your ride this morning?” I asked him.
“Bruising.” He squared his shoulders as if to stretch the ache out of them. “And your breakfast?”
“Delightful,” I said, and though Ollie was still too preoccupied by his watch to voice his agreeance, itwastrue. I felt better than I had in a week.
Ever since Lady Winfield had insinuated that Damon had developed atendrefor me, I’d felt off-balance. At every turn, I’d scrutinized Damon’s words and deeds, constantly wondering if his feelings for me went beyond the terms of our ruse. Truly, it was no wonder that this morning, as I sat next to Damon at the pianoforte, I’d imagined meaning between us that didn’t actually exist.
But thanks to a little distance from Damon and some time alone with Ollie this morning over breakfast, I knew now that I’d only been caught in the current of Mama’s melody and that nothing more than friendship—and a tentative one at that—existed between us. He was merely helping me turn Ollie’s head, and I was helping him avoid an unwanted marriage contract.
So why had he complimented my eyesbeforeOllie had come to the morning room?
He had only been trying to pacify a crying woman, and I shook away the thought; we were nothing more than friends.
Indeed, the only worry I had now was Miss Digby.
A cool breeze rustled through the aspens, and I was glad I wore my warmest pelisse.
Ollie craned his neck to see down the drive. I didn’t see any conveyances approaching, but he descended the stairs anyway.
“Methinks my brother is overeager to greet his guests,” Damon whispered.
I hated to notice, but he did seem it. If only Ollie had come to town with us last week, then he would have seen how Miss Digby had batted her lashes at Damon. But he hadn’t. I could only hope that Miss Digby would reveal herself today so we could put this ordeal behind us.
At last, a pair of grays appeared at the gate. They pulled a dark-blue carriage—the Rumfords’ carriage. Even if I had not seen it in town last week, the gold letter R decorating the doors would have given it away.
“Try not to stare,” Damon said as the carriage came to a stop. “It will only encourage him.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You will soon enough.”
A footman scurried to open the door.
A ruffled cuff and an ornately carved walking stick appeared first, followed by a pair of buckled shoes and a pair of bright-yellow brocade breeches. Amelia’s brother, Mr. Atherton, was the walking definition of afop. The only thing missing was a powdered wig and painted face.
“You are staring,” Damon said.
