Dinner was a miserable affair. She picked at her food and ignored her aunt’s prodding to join in the conversation. No matter—Thea reigned supreme. She flirted with Mr. Howard and Nicholas and still managed to take more stabs at Devon’s absence than she did at her beefsteak.
After the meal, Morning Fawn rose and headed for the hall. She was in no mood for a walk even if the rain had stopped. How had she and Devon gotten into such a terrible argument this morning? She’d gone to the stable with good intentions, and he’d seemed genuinely glad to see her. He said she was forward. But she wasn’t the one who brought up marriage. That was her uncle, and goodness knows, she couldn’t control that man. Besides, if Devon Reynolds was so set on nothing butfriendship, why did he look like he’d swallowed a lemon every time he saw her even glance at Ebony?
As Morning Fawn neared the stairs, she slipped her finger beneath the lace fichu that covered her cleavage and shoulders. When she got to her room, she would yank the itchy thing off and stuff it in the bottom of her trunk.
“My lady.” Nicholas stepped up behind her and touched her elbow. “Why don’t we take a stroll through the garden? It’s a little chilly out, but I’m sure a heavy shawl would suffice.”
Didsufficemean be enough? It didn’t matter. She clasped her hands tight against her waist. “I’m sorry. Another evening. I have a headache.” She’d heard that excuse plenty of times from Thea when there was work to be done.
“I wager fresh air would go a long way toward helping you feel better.”
“I’m afraid I’m not up to it this evening.” Couldn’t the man take no for an answer? “Perhaps you and Mr. Howard could both accompany my cousin.”
Nicholas’s mustache twitched as he moved in closer. The coconut scent of his hair tonic flooded her nostrils. “No offense to your cousin, Miss Beth, but you are the lady I ride two hours to visit.” He took her hand. “It’s your presence I covet.”
“Please let go of my hand, sir.” She tugged herself free.
“I beg your pardon, Beth.” His brown eyes simmered like coffee. Annoyance or desire? He was unreadable beneath his polished front. “I apologize for my forwardness.”
Forwardness. Like her this morning? Definitely not the same.
“If you’re not up for a walk, we could join your family in the parlor. Or if you prefer, we could check on Ebony. I stopped by there when I first arrived, and she whispered she felt neglected this week and is in need of a gentle hand.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “I never neglect a horse.”
“I’m sure you do not, but perhaps you haven’t doted on heras you might…” He traced the engraved knob on the bannister. “If it weren’t for the scowls from a particular plantation hand.”
The nerve of the man. Was the whole house full of spies? “I have a headache. If you’re worried about how I care for Ebony, you’re welcome to take her ba?—”
“Beth will be happy to join us in the parlor.” Her uncle tapped his walking stick to the floor as he sauntered past with Aunt Julia on his arm. How long had he been hovering?
Shoulders back, she marched ahead into the parlor, not about to give Moyer a chance to scoop her hand to his elbow. She headed for the velvet parlor chair, but…her step slowed. Devon had been preparing to leave for Alleytoneven beforethey’d argued. Not just a little visit, but an all-day-long, into the evening, and possibly the next morning visit. Did he really expect her to believe it had nothing to do with Frieda?
She turned toward the low-back wine-colored sofa. It was time for Devon Reynolds to hear a different story. Thea could be counted on to spill the juicy details of the whole evening to anyone who would listen
“Pardon me.” When she barely missed his toe, Nicholas stepped aside and opened his arms wide, offering her first choice of where to sit.
She planted herself next to the end. That’d save her from being pinned in on the other side by Mr. Howard.
Nicholas smiled and sat beside her.
She scooped her red plaid skirt hard against her side lest an article of her clothing lap against his finely tailored gray wool suit.
He leaned back and hooked his thumb in his watch pocket. His voice purred like the river. “I meant no insult there in the hallway. You did a masterful job of handling Ebony last Saturday. You have a way with horses, Beth, a firm but gentle touch.”
She crossed her arms. “Thank you. You may call me ‘Miss Beth.’”
“But surely, at this point in our courtship?—”
“Acquaintanceship.”
“Hmmm.” He leaned closer and whispered, “You should know,Miss Beth, that I am a man greatly smitten, and I plan to lay siege against all fortifications.”
She rolled her eyes. The smell of coconut and cigar filled her nostrils once more. Couldn’t he stay on his section of the sofa? She shifted closer to the side. “Youshould know, I’m skilled at archery.”
“We shall see.” He chuckled and leaned back. “Before dinner, I spoke with your uncle about me taking you on a real ride next Saturday, not a little trot around the plantation. I have an American saddlebred I’d like to try out, and it’d give you a perfect opportunity to see what Ebony is made of. We’d make an afternoon of it.”
“I have no idea whether I’ll be available next Saturday or not.” She’d be more than happy to ride as far as she could from Sweet Briar, if only it didn’t come at the price of his company.
