That was when he realized a very important piece he’d forgotten. A chaperone. Despite a lifetime in London, the relaxed country manners had lulled him into complacency. Though he could equally blame that on his lack of courting experience; despite knowing that a lady required a chaperone when venturing out with a gentleman, Arthur had never dealt with such matters before.
Yet he’d never heard of an unmarried lady performing the task unless she was of mature years.
And he’d spied Mr. Gadd driving about with Miss Giles alone in his gig. Perhaps a picnic required a chaperone? If that were so, Arthur vowed to learn to drive starting tomorrow morning.
With those questions bouncing about his head, Arthur missed the discussion passing between the ladies and forced himself to focus on the task at hand.
“Shall we go?” he asked, glancing between the pair.
Miss Templeton placed a hand to her temple. “I fear I am feeling a little poorly.”
Arthur abandoned the basket on the ground and shoved the bouquet into her hand before taking her other wrist in his hand,measuring her pulse as he felt Miss Templeton’s forehead. Though quickened, her heartbeat was steady enough, and there was no sign of fever.
“Have you been coughing? Or any chills?” he asked, rattling off the more common warning signs of the influenza that had been plaguing the village.
“No,” said Miss Templeton, gently nudging his hands away with an apologetic grimace. “I fear after the exhausting day we had yesterday, I’ve developed a bit of a megrim. I shouldn’t go out, lest it worsen.”
“Yes, of course,” said Arthur with a nod. “Best to sequester yourself in your bedchamber. Pull the curtains tight and sit with a hot rag on your forehead. If needed, take a tisane with willow bark and pennyroyal…”
A hint of a smile tugged at Miss Templeton’s lips as he spoke, and Arthur paused.
“I suppose I needn’t tell you how to make a tisane for megrims,” he replied with a wry grin. “But you must take care of yourself. If you are feeling better in the next day or two, we can try again.”
Miss Templeton shook her head, glancing between the pair. “Nonsense, there is no reason you two ought to cancel. I am certain you will have a grand time together.”
Arthur’s brows twisted together, and he glanced at Miss Gadd, who looked equally perplexed.
“That is kind of you, but I would prefer to wait for you,” he said.
“Don’t be silly,” she said, herding them to the door and handing Miss Gadd her bouquet. Arthur’s eyes followed the flowers, his brows tightening even more.
“Might I have a word, Miss Templeton?” he asked.
The lady glanced between him and Miss Gadd with a smile too strained to be genuine. “I don’t think you two should waste your time here. The weather might change at any moment.”
But Arthur stepped aside and drew her along. In a low voice, he whispered, “What is happening? I thought we were to picnic together. Alone.”
Miss Templeton nodded and waved a vague hand about as though searching for her words. “Yes, but I cannot come, and it would be a shame to waste the day. I am certain you would enjoy it more if Miss Gadd accompanied you.”
“I am certain I would not.”
Drawing in a deep breath, Miss Templeton sighed. “I know you are uncomfortable around strangers, but if you give her a chance, I promise you will adore her company. Yes, she is a little silly at times, but it is only because she is still young and needs a little more time to mature. She is happy, optimistic, and very good with people. I think she could be a boon to you.”
Arthur stared at her, and the lady swallowed deeply before adding, “She would make a good wife.”
All the lightness of his spirit came crashing down, collapsing atop him as though the very roof above him had crumbled. He stared at Miss Templeton, though she did her utmost to avoid his eyes as she continued to rattle off Miss Gadd’s good qualities.
Arthur couldn’t speak. He couldn’t think what to say, even if he could. His tongue was no longer the problem; his heart crumpled, taking with it all sense. Not that Miss Templeton allowed him to interject as she shepherded the pair through the front door with determination. Standing on the doorstep (after the picnic basket mysteriously appeared in his hand), Arthur stared at Miss Gadd, who held Miss Templeton’s bouquet.
Miss Templeton didn’t want him. Arthur’s lungs froze in place, refusing to draw in breath as the truth of that statement settled hard on his shoulders, making them bow beneath the weight. His mind replayed their conversation again and again, speeding through it all as time stretched around him, and he couldn’t see how there was any mistaking his intention.
He’d kissed her hand. Had asked her to join him on an outing. Had spoken of marriage. Had complimented her sobrashly—that alone ought to have been enough to make his feelings clear.
And after all that, Miss Templeton threw her friend in his path.
Miss Gadd cleared her throat. “I suppose we ought to be on our way. Else we’ll waste the afternoon away.”
Arthur’s gaze focused on the lady before him, but he couldn’t think of what to say. He hadn’t any words.
