He scrunched his face in disgust. “Something smells awful.”
I gaped at him. He must have noticed my complete shock, because he pointed at the large stain that Charles had inflicted on my dress. I forced a laugh. “Yes, I suppose I should change.”
“I suppose you should.”
“Is that all?” I asked in a flat voice. My head ached from the events of the day, and he was not making it any better.
“No. That’s not the only reason I followed you up here.”
“What is the other reason?”
“There are three reasons, actually.”
I raised my eyebrows, inviting, or rather, daring him to continue.
“The first reason, of course, was to inform you of the vomit of which you were abashedly unaware.” His eyes danced teasingly. “The second reason was because I noticed your sunburn.”
Of course he did. Exasperation rose in my chest. “I am aware that I should stay out of the sun, and that my complexion will suffer, and that I look like a boiled radish. I thank you for your concern.”
I turned to leave, but he stopped me, climbing up to the stair just below mine. He laughed. “You do not look like a boiled radish. The red is fading already. I wanted to offer you a potential remedy. I have plant ointments that might ease the discomfort and help heal the skin.”
I looked down, embarrassed that I had assumed he had come to lecture me. “Oh. That is all right. It doesn’t cause me discomfort.”
“You shouldn’t be ashamed, you know. There should be nothing wrong with a young lady enjoying a bit of sunshine every now and then.”
“Most people seemanythings wrong with that.”
A smile crept over his lips. “I hope you never try to be likemost people. I find them excessively boring in comparison to you.”
I hardly knew how to respond. Was it flirtation or a harmless compliment? My throat was dry as I searched for the right words. He was still looking at me, and I felt a hot blush creep onto my cheeks and tingle on the tips of my ears. Unfortunately I was not accustomed to conversing with handsome gentlemen. I had never realized the effect one could have on me. It was bothersome.
“Hmm. I can see it now,” he said with a tilt of his head.
“See what?”
He leaned closer with a grin. “Boiled radish.”
My jaw dropped and I stepped back in outrage. What a cruel tease! As infuriated as I was, my embarrassment was equal. He had noticed my blush, and now it was burning even hotter.
He chuckled to himself as he withdrew my bonnet from behind his back. “My third reason. Unless your brothers have a taste for female fashion, I believe this is yours.”
I reached forward and snatched it. I remembered leaving it on the cushion beside me in the drawing room. Owen continued to laugh, but I was not amused. Did he not realize what an exhausting day I had just endured? Emotion clawed at my throat. I wanted to sleep or cry or disappear.
Why could Owen not have been one of Mrs. Kellaway’s children who were away for the summer? He was going to ruin my plans for my beautiful, wonderful trip. I just knew it. He would view me as an amusement for him to toy with, tease, and flirt with. Who knew what other mischief he had up his sleeve? He hadn’t changed one bit since the day he had dumped those acorns on that woman. Except I was his new victim.
He would help accomplish one thing though: He would help me see Mr. Frampton’s virtues with fresh appreciation. After enduring weeks in Owen’s disagreeable company, my decision to accept Mr. Frampton’s proposal would be much easier.
“Well,Millicent, it was a pleasure to meet you,” Owen said.
I didn’t correct him. In fact, I didn’t say a word as he sauntered back down the staircase.
CHAPTER 6
After lingering for a few frustrated moments, I stepped—or rather stomped—up to where Lizzie stood waiting for me.
“Are you unwell, miss?”
“No,” I said in a quick voice, my mind muddled with anger. My brothers were not going to have anything to do with that man if I could help it. I would keep them as far away from Owen and his influence as possible. If they observed him while we were here, they would return worse than before. Aunt Ruth would not keep them, and nor would Mr. Frampton. I had been here less than an hour, and already my hopes were dashed.
