NINE
Standing in the middle of a flock of chickens, Adeline stared at the clear blue sky as her mind replayed every minute of her time with Collin last night. Feeding the chickens wasn’t important right now. Daydreaming about the man she was falling in love with overrode everything.
And he was going to meet her someplace today!
Her heart flipped with excitement as she smiled wider. This time, she would have to let Olivia know where she was going, because knowing her sister, she’d run directly to Pa and let him know. Within minutes, Adeline’s father would search for his daughter and catch her with Collin... and insist the earl do the right thing and marry Adeline. With any luck, Collin wouldn’t think she had any part of this plan.
It had worried her last night when he’d admitted to not wanting to get caught, but when he told her he’d do everything he could to protect her reputation, she knew he would be the perfect husband. Indeed, he had a heart of gold, and he would come to love her after they were married.
Slowly, her mind came out of her dream and she heard someone calling her name. She spun around and searched the yard. The man walking toward her took long strides, and he wore an earnest expression.
Inwardly, she groaned. She really didn’t want to talk to Simon right now. Having him catch her with Collin was quite embarrassing, especially since the servant was the one who warned her about Lord Hanover and Lord Kentwood. What excuse could she give her old friend that he wouldn’t think poorly of her?
“Miss Featherstone,” Simon said in a clipped tone. “I was instructed to deliver this to you.”
When he handed over a letter stamped with a seal, her heart leapt.It’s from Collin!Trying to steady her trembling hand, she broke the seal and opened the parchment and scanned the words.
Meet me at one o’clock at the abandoned cottage on Oak Lane road. Your dearest admirer, Collin.
She licked her dry lips and quickly folded the paper. When she met Simon’s gaze, she tried not to feel guilty. Would he have known what it said? And yet, it was sealed, so perhaps he didn’t know.
“Thank you, Simon.”
“I beg you, Adeline,” he touched her forearm, “don’t do this. Being seen with Lord Hanover or his friend, Lord Kentwood, will ruin your reputation.”
Sadness lurked in his eyes, and her gut twisted. “Simon, do you know what is in this note?”
He shook his head. “I can only assume that what’s written in there is not good and will eventually bring you heartache.”
She wanted to inform him that this was not his business, but he’d been like an older brother to her, and she didn’t want to lose his friendship. “Simon,” she took hold of his hand, “I know what I’m doing. And everything will turn out as it should, I assure you.”
His frown deepened and he nodded. “But when it doesn’t, do not hesitate to find me. Because I will be the only one with a caring shoulder for you to cry on.”
She wished her dear friend would not try to dissuade her, and she didn’t know how to convince him otherwise. “Everything will be fine.” She squeezed his hand.
He turned and walked away. Her heart wrenched. But she knew there was nothing to worry about. Her plans were going in the direction she had hoped, and she must believe that everything else would fall right into place.
Sighing heavily, she turned back toward the chickens... and then gasped when she saw Olivia standing nearby. Her sister’s freckled nose was crinkled as much as her forehead. Olivia’s arms were folded smartly across her chest.
“May I ask whatthatwas all about?” Olivia asked.
“No, you may not.” Adeline dipped her hand into the sack of feed and sprinkled it on the ground for the chickens.
“Why was Simon here?” Olivia pestered.
Adeline had already planned on saying something to her sister, but she couldn’t let her sister know this was in her plan, too. “He was making a delivery.”
Olivia’s gaze jumped between Adeline and the direction Simon had gone. Adeline could see the wheels turning inside her sister’s mind as she tried piecing the mystery together.
“He gave you a letter,” Olivia stated. It only took seconds for her eyes to widen. “And he was hired by the lords as their driver last night.”
Since Olivia was too young to attend their aunt’s masked ball last night, Adeline could only assume Ma had mentioned it to the younger sister.
Suddenly, Olivia’s cheeks brightened with color and her eyes widened. “Oh, Adeline... one of the lords sent you that letter. It’s Lord Hanover, isn’t it?”
Adeline’s smile stretched as she gave the chickens another handful of feed from the sack. She knew her sister would eventually figure it out. “I’m not saying.”
“Itwas!” Olivia yanked on Adeline’s sleeve. “And he wants to meet you somewhere, doesn’t he?”
