Mr. Oliver slowed, but did not stop. “It never even occurred to me that you thought I was Tim when you brought the lemonade.”
He sounded sincere, but there was an underlying confession in his words. “But you did know in the circulating library.”
They pulled to a stop. “Not at first.” He looked past her rather than meeting her gaze. “But I own up to the fact I realized before the end of our conversation. I apologize for deceiving you. There was no ill intent meant.”
The polite response would be to accept his apology and move on, but Kitty could not do it. “Why did you not correct me the moment you discovered my mistake?”
Several emotions flitted across his face too fast for her to understand. After several heartbeats, he responded matter-of-factly, “I did not wish to embarrass you. We had been speaking for some time before I even had an inkling that you believed me to be Tim.”
Kitty tensed as she felt a rush of heat building. She did not even try to keep the edge out of her voice as she replied, “Embarrass me? You think I’m such a wilting flower that I would suffer greatly from such embarrassment?” Oliver Linfield opened his mouth to reply, but Kitty kept pushing on. “Or perhaps you find it humorous to play tricks on unsuspecting young women. Lady Sampson has told me of your childhood pranks.”
His posture went rigid, and he spoke slowly, as if explaining something to a child. “Tim and I have not impersonated each other on purpose in years.”
She had pricked something in him; of that she could be sure. A guilty conscience, perhaps? “So you say.”
For a moment, Kitty thought the man was going to walk away and leave her standing by herself. Instead, he turned back and took a half-step closer. “Do you want to know the truth, Miss Childs?”
She took a small step of her own and looked him square in the eyes. “Tell me.”
“I did not correct you because I was curious to see the version of you I’d heard so much about. The young woman with a quick wit and a friendly smile, who is a pleasure to converse with.” He leaned so close that she could see the flecks of green in his otherwise golden-brown eyes. “I’ve only met the woman who sticks her nose in the air and treats me as if I smell unpleasant.”
“And you have been so welcoming?” Kitty spat back, refusing to concede an inch despite their nearness. “Every time I see you, your face holds a look of polite indifference that makes everyone around you feel as though you want to be anywhere but where you are.”
Oliver’s eyes danced with heat before dropping to her lips. For a breathless moment, she thought he might lean forward and press his mouth to hers. But the spell broke, and he continued in a low voice, “You accuse me of being intentionally deceitful, Miss Childs. But I have wondered if you too have an identical twin, because you certainly have two faces.”
“Would you like to join us?” A new voice broke through the haze of their argument. Kitty jumped away from herfoe and then turned to find Nathaniel Towne with his brows raised. “The staff have begun setting out the meal.”
“Yes.” Oliver cleared his throat. “Of course. Lead the way.”
Kitty walked alongside the men at a polite distance before reaching the pavilion and turning away to find Lady Sampson. She found her hostess seated next to Lady Diana, the two women deep in conversation. Not wanting to interrupt, she pasted on a smile and took her seat. The only saving grace of the afternoon was that she never once saw Oliver Linfield again.
Two hours later, she climbed into Lady Sampson’s carriage, more than ready to return to Arbor Hill and disappear into her bed chamber. As their conveyance pulled away from Aston Lodge, the baroness spoke, “Care to tell me what happened between you and Oliver?”
She’d hoped nobody had noticed their argument, but she did not appear to be so fortunate. “A slight disagreement, nothing of consequence.”
“Hmm.” The lady studied Kitty for a long moment, but then changed the subject.
Oliver did his best not to watch Catherine Childs as she weaved around the edge of the pavilion and found a seat near his mother and Lady Sampson. Had that really just happened? He was not sure which worried him more: that he lost his temper, or that he briefly considered pulling her into a passionate embrace.
“Would you mind helping me with something in the house?” Nat asked in a casual tone, but Oliver suspected he was about to be on the receiving end of a brotherly lecture. Better Nat than Sarah, Oliver supposed. Or his mother. He internally cringed at the thought.
Oliver nodded and then followed his brother-in-law down the rose-garden path and through the doors that led into the drawing room.
Once the door was securely closed behind them, Nat turned to face Oliver, his arms crossed. “Care to explain what I just interrupted?”
“Miss Childs and I were having a…” Oliver let out a long breath, “difference of opinion.”
Nat let out an amused scoff. “A ‘difference of opinion?’ When I approached, I was not sure if you were going to throttle Miss Childs, or kiss her.”
Oliver felt the heat climb his neck as he studied his clasped hands. “The former, I assure you.”
After what felt like an eternity, Nat placed a hand on Oliver’s shoulder and gave him a friendly shove towards the nearest sofa. “Come, tell me what happened.”
Once they were both situated, Oliver began, “I sought Miss Childs out to apologize, but it did not go well.” He then went on to explain her accusations and his ungentlemanly replies. The only part he left out was his inexplicable desire to kiss the maddening woman.
“I believe you owe her another apology,” Nat responded when Oliver finished his story. “But not today. Sarah would skin me alive if I allowed another scene at my picnic.”
“And if I approached Miss Childs within earshot of Lady Sampson and Mother, I would not come off any better,”Oliver agreed. He already worried about what she might have told the two women. The raw truth would be bad enough. He knew he’d behaved terribly.
