“Thank you.” I sighed in relief, feeling much better knowing we understood each other.
I turned my attention once again to Ollie.
Drat! I’d been too distracted to see him greet Miss Digby. I needed to be more focused if I was going to turn this picnic to my advantage.
Miss Digby’s pale-pink gown brought out the color in her cheeks, and her expertly curled blonde ringlets bounced on her shoulders as she walked at Ollie’s side to join our group.
Damon stepped forward. “Miss Digby, how good of you to endure my brother’s presence for one afternoon.”
Ollie shot daggers at Damon.
Miss Digby smiled coyly at Damon. “It is a small price to pay to be invited to Summerhaven, my lord. I’ve been waiting such a long time for an invitation.”
She and every other young lady of theton. No wonder Damon needed the protection of our ruse.
Ollie offered his arm to Miss Digby, then led the company northwest toward our picnic destination. We walked the well-worn path in pairs, Ollie and Miss Digby, followed by Damon and Mr. Atherton, and finally, Amelia and me. I didn’t know the location he’d selected, but it really didn’t matter; with wildflowers decorating the rolling green hills, all of Summerhaven was beautiful.
Amelia looped her arm through mine and leaned close. “Lord Jennings is in rare form this morning—smiling, laughing. I honestly didn’t think him capable of such levity.”
“Levity is his favorite form of irritating me, I’m afraid.” I told Amelia about all that had happened in town after we’d parted: the carriage getting stuck in mud, Damon carrying me to the side of the road, and the meaning Lady Winfield had inferred.
“Hashe formed an attachment to you?” She eyed Damon’s back.
“I had considered the possibility,” I admitted quietly, and I almost told Amelia about how he had played Mama’s melody for me this morning but decided against it; the last time we’d spoken of Mama in the modiste’s shop, it had made her feel bad. “But no. He is as content in his bachelorhood as he ever was.”
“Hasyourattention shifted?” She squinted at me.
“Heavens no. My heart lies with Ollie.”
“You are certain?”
“But of course I am certain. I’ve loved Ollie for a lifetime.” I set my gaze on Ollie ahead of us. He was pointing out the river in the distance to Miss Digby. She nodded, though her wandering gaze did not make her seem overly impressed.
“It would be okay,” Amelia continued. “If you have developed feelings for Lord Jennings, you can tell me.”
“There is nothing to tell,” I said. “Truly. We are nothing more than co-conspirators.”
“If you’re sure,” she said, and we continued on our way.
Several more minutes passed before Ollie announced we’d reached our destination.
I could only blink.
How could he?
I knew every branch, knot, and protruding root of this tree. This wasourtree. The tree we’d spent each summer climbing and playing under. The tree we’d hid in so I wouldn’t have to go home to London. The tree where he’d first kissed me.
“Will this location do?” Ollie asked Miss Digby.
Her ringlets bobbed in approval, and Ollie motioned for the servants to set up the picnic.
With haste, servants scurried to spread the blanket and arrange food on a table. Cold meats and cheese, finger sandwiches, and fruit made a veritable feast.
If only it weren’t set underthistree, I might have been able to enjoy it.
The others went to the table to make their selections, but I needed a moment to compose myself.
A hand on my shoulder startled me. “Are you all right?” Damon asked.
