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“It is far too cold. She hated the cold.”

Oliver groaned and stood from his seat in the parlor, pulling George toward the door. “Come along, my friend. This shall do both of us a world of good.”

After dressing in warmer clothing, the two of them joined the others outside, tossing snowballs at one another, creating snow figures, and laughing together at how frigid they’d all become—though still, no one returned indoors for the rejuvenation the snow had brought to the party.

More often than not, Oliver continuously looked over his shoulder, hoping the servants would be sent out of doors with them and he’d be able to see Clara again.

Unfortunately, his luck at having run into her around every corner had seemed to run out. George had managed to at least be pulled from his slump as Miss Fuller encouraged him to create a snow angel with her, so Oliver found himself free from his forlorn attitude for at least a moment.

At one point, Mr. Prescott approached Oliver, allowing him further distraction as he asked for Oliver’s advice. The two spoke with one another, throwing snowballs against the trees and watching them explode to pieces before Miss Bowles interrupted them, shouting his name from across the way.

“Cole?” she cried out.

Oliver frowned.

“Cole?” Mr. Prescott questioned.

Oliver’s grimace increased. “The woman is incessant. And delusional, apparently.”

“Cole!” she tried again.

After the fourth time, Oliver excused himself from Mr. Prescott and moved to Miss Bowles’s side.

She stood alone away from the group, her parents nowhere in sight. How she’d managed to slip away from them was beyond him—not to mention, he was thoroughly unnerved because of it.

“Miss Bowles, you called.”

“Finally,” she said with a sigh. Then she grinned. “I am in need of your aid. I wish to create the perfect snow angel, but I haven’t anyone to help me off the ground, and I do not wish to become stuck.”

Would she could get stuck and free Oliver for the rest of the day.

“I’m terribly sorry, but I was just about to retire indoors.”

“You cannot be serious. I have only just arrived. Will you not help me, Cole?”

She pressed her lips into a pout that he had to look away from or he’d reveal exactly what he thought of her childish behavior.

“I have time to help you with one,” he finally relented.

“Excellent.” She seized his hand, dragging him farther away from the group.

Oliver looked over his shoulder for someone to help him, but everyone else seemed far too pleased being out of doors at the moment.

So it was just Oliver who suffered now. Splendid.

“Here,” Miss Bowles said, planting her feet near an untouched spot of snow. “Now gently lower me to the ground.”

Oliver helped as best he could, then looked everywhere else as she created the angel imprint in the pile of thick, fluffy snow.

“Now, make one next to me, Cole,” she commanded, motioning to the place next to her.

Now she wanted him to lie down beside her? He glanced at the rest of the group, noting his cousin’s eyes upon him. Millie, who was creating a snowman with Mr. Stroud at the moment, shook her head with a look of disgust at Miss Bowles but was soon distracted by Mr. Prescott approaching her, so Oliver was on his own once again.

“Cole, why do you hesitate? Join me, won’t you?”

But Oliver couldn’t stomach it. “Allow me to help you up, Miss Bowles. I wish to say something to you.”

A look of excitement lit her eyes, and she raised her hand for him to help her up. He cringed inwardly. She would not be so excited when she heard what he had to say to her.