Margaret frowned as she looked down at her pieces, selecting another pawn. “You look well this evening. I love when you wear green. It’s my favorite color on you.”
Noah made another move, not much caring where it went. “Interesting.”
Margaret’s countenance took on an uneasy smile. “Is it? I had thought you would appreciate the compliment.”
They each took another turn. “But what is my favorite color?”
“Green of course.” She claimed one of his pawns.
He pursed his lips and moved one of his rooks. “And what is my favorite sweet?”
She shrugged. “Raisin tarts.”
“And if I had the choice of reading by myself or playing a game with a group of people, which would I choose?”
“The games of course.”
That one was correct, at least.
“Why are you here, Margaret?” He looked up to find her with wide eyes, staring at him with her bishop in hand.
“I was invited.”
“You know what I mean.”
Her shoulders bristled, but she kept her smile in place. “I am quite sure I don’t.” She moved her rook, taking one of his pawns.
“Then let me remind you.” He moved a rook and took one of her knights. “I proposed to you, and you turned me down. With little to no remorse, I might add.”
Margaret’s smile dropped, and she worked her mouth. “I was only confused. It is not uncommon for a woman to decline the first offer of marriage made to her.”
“But it wasn’t from any random fellow. It was from me. The man you sent letters to and declared you loved.”
Margaret looked about the room, then lowered her voice. “And I do.”
“Do what?” His eyes snapped to hers as he held his king in his grip.
“Love you, of course.”
Nausea, sudden and hot, roiled through his stomach. Those words had once been so familiar on her lips, and now they sounded wrong. “Do not lie to me. I am only a convenient choice for you.”
Margaret studied the board before letting out a soft sigh. “Noah, it was nothing personal.”
“It felt personal.” He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.
Her neck strained. “I was only afraid that . . . well, your career wasn’t . . .”
“I wasn’t successful enough for you.”
She pursed her lips, thinking. “I realized that’s not the most important thing to me anymore. I missed you.”
When he only scoffed and sat up to move another piece, Margaret leaned over the chessboard. “Do you remember the night beneath the stars?”
His mind fought against it, but it drifted into his thoughts. “Yes,” he said, his teeth clenched.
“Then how can you say I only love you for convenience? Clearly we fell in love. I only made a mistake. But now, I am here. There is no reason we cannot pick up where we left off.”
“Do you not hear yourself? You are manipulating details to paint a picture in your favor.” He smacked his king down on the board. “Do your parents even know that I offered for you?”
