Allen’s lips pursed, a wicked twinkle sparkling in his eye. “With Miss Caswell on the hunt for a husband with deep pockets, I would say that snared might be a better description.”
Hands clenched at his sides, Oliver leveled a hard look at the fellow. “Do not cast aspersions when you know nothing of Miss Caswell—”
“Aspersions nothing,” said Allen. “It is the cold, hard truth. I have it from reliable sources that she has a pittance for a dowry and her family coffers are empty. Without a fatted calf, the Caswells may be ruined.”
Oliver schooled his features, hiding his upheaval behind a nonplussed mask. Of course, Allen likely thought Oliver reeling from that revelation, but the emotions waging war inside him had little to do with Banfield’s accusations against the Caswells.
“Whether or not that is true is of no relevance,” replied Oliver. “I do not fear marriage nor view it with any animosity.”
“I suppose you must secure an heir for your estate,” said Allen with a rueful grin. “I praise my luck for being the second son.”
Oliver turned to look at the fellow, his brow arched. “I will not lie and say I do not wish for an heir, but I would marry regardless of that. I have no bitter feelings towards the institution and rather anticipate the opportunity to partake in it.”
Allen gave a dramatic gape. “I had thought you more sensible than that.”
And Oliver had thought Allen less irritating than he was proving to be. But thoughts of a proper set-down fled as Oliver noticed the other young men in the group, who were watching Allen as though he were one of the ancient heroes of old whose every action and word was all it should be.
Hiding a scowl at that foolishness, Oliver chose to speak the truth—something these young fools were unlikely to hear from Allen.
“Any man of sense would long for a marriage to a good woman,” said Oliver. “It is a blessing to both parties that only increases as they give life to children and grow their family. I welcome it and look forward to the day when I pledge my life to my wife.”
Stepping closer, Oliver held Allen’s gaze. The other was far broader and likely more skilled at brawling than he, for Oliver had never felt a penchant for boxing nor found himself in need of fisticuffs, but Oliver did not allow that to unnerve him.
“And I will not give any countenance to rumors or insinuations concerning the Caswells,” he said, his eyes offering up the warning implied in his words.
Allen’s eyes shone with laughter, which did little to bank the growing fire in Oliver’s chest. The only thing that kept Oliver from planting him a facer was that the taunting twist of his smile wasn’t malicious. The fellow enjoyed causing trouble, but it was more for his amusement than a desire to hurt. It wasn’t comforting, but it gave Oliver just enough control to keep his temper in check.
“What about rumors or insinuations concerning yourself?” asked Allen. “There are some who begin to wonder if an engagement between Miss Caswell and you will ever occur, as a certain gentleman is showing a marked interest in a certain Miss Sophia Banfield.”
Chapter 21
Oliver sucked in a quick breath, his body stilling as he fought to keep his composure. Mrs. Banfield had alluded to something similar, but it was easy to ignore it as an aberration. However, upon hearing Allen confirm it, and the others around him showing no signs of shock or disbelief, Oliver had to accept the possibility that such gossip was “common knowledge.”
The world stilled in its orbit, holding Oliver there as he thought through every interaction and every moment with Miss Sophie. Surely, he had given no rise to such beliefs, but even as he attempted to lull his guilt, Oliver realized that the sheer volume of memories spoke for themselves. Though they were not more numerous than those he shared with Miss Caswell, they were too numerous to ignore.
“There is nothing wrong with a bit of flirtation,” said Mr. Peter Dosett, his brows raising suggestively. “Even married men deserve a bit of fun from time to time, but there is no chance his mother would accept a Banfield as a daughter-in-law, what with the history between her husband and Mrs. Banfield.”
At that, the others stared at Peter, though young Julius scowled. “I told you that in confidence.”
Peter’s brows rose and he scoffed, “You said the neighborhood all knew what was going on, so it isn’t a secret.”
“I would thank you not to gossip about my family,” said Oliver, glaring at them each in turn. “My father and Mrs. Banfield have no past—or at least not the type you are insinuating. He is the epitome of honor and devoted to my mother.”
“You don’t know about it?” Peter stared at Oliver, a hint of pink coloring his cheeks.
But Allen merely gave a choking laugh. “Knowing my mother, I doubt what passed between them was anything innocent.”
Oliver clenched his fist, imagining planting it squarely in Allen’s nose. The fantasy was so vivid in detail that Oliver almost believed he’d done it. He took a step closer, and the others shifted around them, drawing Oliver back to reality as they watched with wide eyes, waiting with bated breath to witness the possible rout. The Dosetts were spoiled fools and unlikely to change, but Julius was several years younger and hardly old enough to be counted a man; the fellow had seen enough examples of ungentlemanly behavior at present, and Oliver did not wish to add to them.
Turning on his heel, he stormed away, ignoring any calls to bring him back and not slowing his retreat until the forest swallowed him up and the others were far behind. He’d rather risk an encounter with the devil than return to their ranks.
Oliver’s feet pounded the forest floor, giving some outlet for the frustration coursing through him. How dare they malign good people? Simply because they had no sense of right and wrong, they believed everyone capable of deceit?
A whisper rose up to ask him if there might be some truth to it, and given his parents’ reaction to the Banfields, it would be foolish not to wonder. But Oliver dismissed the thought. He was not so young as to believe his parents infallible, but there was no doubt that Father was devoted to Mother. And even if it weren’t the case, he’d never embrace infidelity; though other gentlemen viewed the marriage vows as flexible, Simon Kingsley believed them as binding and unwavering as any word of honor given.
No, Oliver gave those rumors no credence, though their very existence served to strengthen his parents’ objections to the Banfields.
As for Miss Caswell, her family’s finances were of no consequence. Oliver needed no dowry, and once he turned his thoughts to it, he recognized the little signs of insolvency that were of no significance on their own but showed the truth with context.
