Ollie followed my gaze. “Do you disapprove?”
“On the contrary. I was only thinking of how much Papa enjoys guessing games.”
The center of Ollie’s chin dimpled the same way it had when he was a boy. “Well. What is your guess then?”
“Let me think. You were out for a ride and lost track of time?”
He shook his head. “Guess again.”
“Perhaps you were perusing the haberdashers and you were unable to decide between a beaver hat and a silk topper, and that is why you were late to greet me.”
“I already have half a dozen shelves full of hats.”
I rolled my eyes. Ollie had always been prone to exaggeration.
“I daresay you don’t know me at all, Miss Kent.”
“Nonsense.” I nudged his shoulder. “I know everything about you. You prefer dogs to cats, salmon to pheasant, and you always loosen your cravat when you think nobody is watching.”
“Yes.” He chuckled. “That is all true. And yet you can’t guess my whereabouts this afternoon.”
I scowled playfully at him.
“Come now.” He laughed. “Let me lead you to the fire where you will be warm.”
What a fine gentleman he’d become. Mama would certainly still approve of him.
At the hearth, Ollie picked up his glass and swirled the amber liquid before taking a drink. “How have you been?” he asked, and his eyes skimmed over my form. “Youlookvery well.”
My cheeks heated. “That is kind of you to say.”
“Not at all. The country air suits you.”
“I’m not sure Damon’s boots would agree with you,” I mumbled, “but I admit, I’m glad to be free of London.”
“As am I,” Ollie said. “With Byron exiled and Brummell on the run, London is not what it used to be.”
What it used to be?I blinked, confused. Ollie had been living in London? For how long? Well before April, I assumed, if he’d been friends with Byron. Why had Ollie not called on me? He’d not even written. Stunned by the revelation, I could only bring myself to ask, “What did London use to be?”
“Great fun.” Ollie smiled to himself as if remembering some distant time I was not a part of, and he took another sip of his drink.
“You enjoy London then?”
“Excessively. Don’t you?”
“Isupposethe city has much to offer.”
“Much to offer?” He laughed. “There is not a more diverting city in the world. Where else can you take a peek at Tattersall’s in the morning, promenade Hyde Park in the afternoon, and enjoy the theater, opera, or supper at the Royal Salon by night?” Ollie grew animated as he spoke. “There is no other place better in all the world, I tell you. London is the height of fashion and pleasure.”
Ollie had always loved the country, but now it seemed he was enamored with the pleasures of city life. Wasthiswhat Damon had meant when he’d said Ollie had changed? I glanced over my shoulder at Damon, but his book had captured his attention.
I squinted at the gold-embossed title, but the dim lit made it impossible to read from this distance.
“Hannah?” Ollie said, reclaiming my attention.
I quickly averted my gaze, not wanting him to think me a bluestocking for inspecting the book. “Yes?”
“Something I said bothered you. What was it?”
