He was correct. Shewasn’tas good at this as he was.
“He is teasing, Rose,” Leah said, standing and turning toward her. “I was laughing because Owen has admitted something rather embarrassing that I shall not dare relate out loud.”
Owen smothered a laugh, putting his hand over his mouth as he perched his other on his hip and looked to the floor.
Rose squealed. “I knew it! He likes you.”
Leah almost dropped her glass. She looked to Rose, unable to meet Owen’s eyes. Rose was merely a young girl thinking fanciful thoughts. Leah should not read into it more than that. Nor should she care. She was supposed to be loathing his very existence and making his life a living nightmare.
But she wasn’t. She found she had been rather enjoying their little moments together. But what would he make of her silence? Surely he would realize there was not much to say in response to such a statement. And instead of saying something she would come to regret, she decided to remain taciturn.
Owen sighed. “Well, it appears I have been found out.”
Leah looked up to him, her cheeks flaming. Rose squealed again, but soon became distracted by her previous task. Owen looked down at Leah and gave her a discreet wink.
Of course. It was all a game. As always.
Leah gave a weak smile in return. Why should she feel disappointment? She despised him. And he had clearly been teasing Rose. But now Leah was realizing that despise was too strong a word. As he had said, they were both older now. And different as well.
“Don’t worry,” Owen said, startling Leah from her thoughts. “I was only teasing.”
“I knew that.” Leah put her cup back to her lips before realizing she had already finished drinking the awful punch. She set it back down, lightly touching her hair.
Owen’s mouth tightened and he nodded. “Good.”
Chapter 14
Leah. Evening of the third day.
Thatevening,afterarrangingthe greenery in a way more pleasing to the eye and less like misshapen animals, Leah found herself as far from Owen at the table as physically possible. Something that would have pleased her to no end only three days ago, yet now, she found herself watching him, wishing she was close enough to hear the things he was saying to make Jonas and Graham laugh.
“He has grown into a rather handsome man, hasn’t he?” Cecily gazed down the table at him.
Leah swallowed her bite, taking time to choose her words. “I suppose so.”
“Suppose?” Cecily scoffed. “Do not let your history with him cloud your vision. If I were in your shoes . . .” She let her words trail off as she lifted her cup and took a slow drink, watching Owen as she did so.
“Cecily,” Leah said with a laugh. “You cannot be serious.”
“Why not?” She shrugged. “Unless of course you are interested, then I shall be happy to allow you the honor.”
“What would father think?” Leah turned back to Owen. His laugh was infectious and his eyes crinkled around the corners as he smiled wide. What would it feel like to toy with the lock of hair that stubbornly fell over his brow whenever he tilted it to the side?
Owen’s eyes came to hers and she snapped her gaze away quick as a shot. When she dared to look back toward him, he was still watching her, smiling and raising his glass in salute.
“I believe he thinks you to be handsome as well,” Cecily said—her voice low.
Leah gave her head a quick shake. “Nonsense. He is only teasing me as he always does.”
“Except you are not children anymore.”
No. They certainly were not. “That is beside the point. Why should I believe his attentions are anything other than continued shenanigans from our youth?”
Cecily smiled. “Because of the way he is looking at you.”
Leah did not dare look again. If he was still watching her as Cecily let on, he might get the wrong idea. He was likely finding great amusement in making her blush with his forward attention. And she was not about to give him that satisfaction.
When the meal ended, the ladies all ventured to the drawing room with the gentlemen following a half hour later. The fire crackled away, offering not only a physical warmth, but also casting a comforting glow about the room. Leah’s father and Jonas entered the room, followed by Owen. Leah took in his appearance, her eyes trailing over his deep blue tailcoat and buff breeches. Cecily was correct, of course. He had grown into one of the most handsome young men of her acquaintance. His eyes looked almost black in the dim light of the room, and when they fell on her, she was tempted to swim in them. Why did he do that? Keep her gaze instead of politely turning away as most men would do. But not Owen. He kept her gaze, almost as if challenging her to be the one to look away first.
