“It would be my pleasure,” he repeated awkwardly.
She nodded stiffly and took his hand.But once they had begun the waltz, she said to him, “I know you are only asking me because Mrs.Salisbury does not want me to be a wallflower all evening.”
“You are right that Mrs.Salisbury is an attentive hostess,” he demurred, trying to make his enthusiasm sound genuine.“But I assure you that it is my pleasure to dance with you.”
That was the thirdmy pleasurehe had tendered her in as many minutes.No wonder the girl wasn’t convinced.But he supposed he did notneedto convince her.
But instead of crinkling her nose in disbelief, a soft smile spread across her features.“Truly?”
Her face had an odd, hopeful expression that he didn’t want to examine too closely.
“Of course.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Of course,” he repeated again, stupidly.
“Tell me, Mr.Brown.Do you enjoy living at Parkhorne?”
This line of questioning made him slightly nervous.He saw the fingerprints of Mrs.Salisbury’s matchmaking all over it.Still, he had no choice but to respond.
He gave a single nod.“It is my home.And I manage the farm.I enjoy seeing to the estate and helping George.”
“I am rather tired of Cumbria.The rain grates on my nerves and is bad for my health.I prefer it here much more.”
“Ah, well, you must not expect that it is always so beautiful in Somerset.You have been here in the summer.June is one of its most beautiful months, although August is even better if you like warm weather.Have you enjoyed any of the scenic walks these past weeks?”
Her face brightened.“No, I haven’t, I’m afraid.I am not a strong walker.I think I would need someone to guide me.But I am very eager.”
Malcolm swore internally at his clumsiness.He had intended to steer the young lady toward a safer topic.Instead, he had hemmed himself into spending more time with her.Unchaperoned, too, he suspected.
But there could be no other response to such a statement than the one he was about to give.“Please allow me to escort you, Miss Marburry, on such a walk.”
“Oh, thank you, Mr.Brown!I would love to see more of the country tomorrow afternoon.”
“Perfect,” he ground out, along with a strained smile.
Minutes later, as he parted from Miss Marburry on the side of the dance floor, he nearly collided with Philip.
Relations had been strained with Philip ever since he had browbeaten him for his foolishness by the pond.However, he didn’t want to be at odds with his youngest brother, and he realized that, perhaps, he had overreacted.Scarlett had not been seriously hurt, and she had made a fair point that Philip hadn’t pushed anyone into the pond.
“Philip,” he said, trying to sound friendly.“Are you enjoying yourself?
Philip gave a huff.“No.Not really.”
“Oh,” Malcolm said, surprised.Usually, his brother loved a good festivity.“And why is that?Not Miss Larchman again, I hope?”He dropped this last bit as an attempt at levity.
But his brother’s face instantly clouded over.“Yes, actually.Maven—she’s impossible.There is no making her happy.That is certain.”
“I can’t say I understand the nature of the conflict between the two of you,” Malcolm said in a lowered tone.
And it was true.Despite talking around the topic to Philip on numerous occasions, he had gained no real insight into their conflict beyond its broadest dimensions.
“She doesn’t want me to marry,” he hissed, waving his hand in frustration.
“Who?”Malcolm said, confused.
“Any of these women!”
