“No, I cannot say that I do.”
“Do you find it odd that your father and brother plan to be away from Summerhaven so long?”
“Everything my brother does is odd.”
With a frown, I turned my attention to the lavender stalks dancing in the breeze.
“Hanny, there is something I wish to speak with you about.”
“What is it?”
“Well, I hoped we could discuss what you said last week in the morning room.”
I stiffened. “Oh. I do not think that is necessary.”
“But it is. I am mortified by my response. As soon as you fled, I knew I had made a mistake. I was cruel and blind, and I hope someday you’ll be able to forgive me.”
My shoulders relaxed. “I forgive you now. Truly. If anyone has need to beg the other’s forgiveness, it is I.”
Ollie’s eyebrows furrowed. “Whatever for?”
“There are so many things to choose from, aren’t there?” I sighed. “Perhaps I should apologize for the fact that even though you made your intentions for Miss Digby known to me, I did not respect your decision.” If only I had listened to him in the beginning, I would have saved us both a great deal of trouble. “Or perhaps I should apologize for cornering you in the morning room.” I cringed even thinking about that conversation. “I really am so very sorry for that.”
“Seeing as your only mistake was in caring for me, I cannot accept your apology.” He stopped walking and turned to face me. “And . . . I have a confession of my own.”
I braced myself, knowing he was about to announce his engagement. Although I didn’t approve of his choice of bride, it was his decision to make, and I would pray for their every happiness.
Ollie took a deep breath. “Miss Digby and I have ended our courtship.”
“What?” My forehead tensed. “But why?”
“We did not suit. In fact, she rather brought out the worst in me, don’t you agree?”
“I cannot argue with you on that point,” I mumbled, and he laughed lightly. “But you seemed so certain of her. In truth, I thought you were days away from announcing your engagement.”
“I was,” he said sheepishly.
Confused, I shook my head. “I don’t understand. What has changed your mind?”
“You.”
“Me?” I squeaked.
“Yes, my brave girl.You.” Ollie stepped forward and took my hands in his. I froze at his unexpected touch. “When you came to me in the morning room and said what you did, I will admit you caught me off guard, but you have opened my eyes. I see now that I had become so intent on proving my worth to others that I lost myself. I thought more money, better clothes, and friends in high places would make me worthy, would make mehappy. . . but no. I was only caught up in the chase of what I thought was a more valuable and worthy life. When you confronted me about only courting her for her dowry, the way youlookedat me—” He grimaced. “I have never felt more worthless.”
“I’m sorry, Ollie. I should not have said that.”
“You have no need to apologize. In fact, I am grateful for your candor that day. I daresay you saved me from a lifetime of misery.”
Had I? I’d saved him from a loveless marriage perhaps, but had I also condemned him to a life of destitution? “W-what about the grange? Do you notneeda wealthy wife to see to your future estate’s survival?”
“Some sacrifices will have to be made, it’s true. I will need to give up my set of rooms in London and probably my account at the haberdashers too.” He sighed, then chided himself with a shake of his head. “But provided no further extravagant expenditures are made, the grange will survive and so will we.”
“We?”
He ran his thumb over my knuckles, and his gaze softened as he looked into my eyes.
I snatched back my hand in sudden understanding. He had not come to a conclusion about his relationship with Miss Digby; he’d come to a conclusion about me. Aboutus.
