Page 16 of The Rules of Courtship
“No, I have it now. Fortunately, no one was in the chamber Itriedto enter. But the man’s dressing gown laid out on the bed gave away my error.”
Oliver gave a startled laugh. “What if the man had been in the room?”
“Then I would be watching Sarah pack my trunk this very moment.”
He smiled down at her. “It is early for you to retire. Are you feeling unwell?”
“The excuse I gave was to check on my mother. She had a difficult ride with the storm and the awful road. But an early night will help me rise early.”
“I had the same idea.”
“Mrs. Hull told me the stables are at our disposal. Do you…that is, if you have other plans in the morning, I understand.”
“Do Iwhat, Ruth?” he asked, forcing her to speak the invitation.She had stopped herself, which was altogether unnatural. Where was their easy conversation? It had taken more effort than usual as of late. Besides, what if he told her he would like to ride with her, and all she wanted to know was if he could direct her toward the stables? She was still learning her way around, after all.
“Do you want to ride with me tomorrow?” she asked, though hesitantly. “I was hoping to catch the sunrise if I could manage it. Mr. Bailey told me of a spectacular eastward-facing hill.”
Something dark and green coiled in Oliver’s stomach. He tried to make his voice sound light. “Will Mr. Bailey be joining you as well?”
“He did not mention it,” she said, unaware of the turmoil in Oliver’s body. “But we spoke of it tonight during dinner, so it would not be unreasonable if he happened to ride at the same time.”
That was a careful way of saying that she did expect him.
Yet, she also wanted Oliver there.
“I do not wish to come in the way of anything,” he said.
Ruth lifted her eyebrows. “We have not even been here for an entire day. There is nothing to come in the way of.”
She had not seen the way Mr. Bailey had been watching her. Again, a feeling of unease swept Oliver’s body. “You are being cautious, I hope.”
“In what way?”
She wouldn’t like to know that her father asked Oliver to keep an eye on her. That piece of information was better left tucked away where no one would hear of it. “Strangers,” he finally said. “We do not know these people very well. I worry for you.”
Ruth shook her head, her smile growing. “Don’t be ridiculous. We are perfectly safe here. There are no true strangers, notreally. They all have earned the approval of Lord Rocklin at the very least.”
“I suppose so. If the viscount was not willing to have any of these men for a son-in-law, he would not have invited them.”
“Indeed.” She smoothed her hands down her gown, watching him. A soft smile curved over her lips. She really was the most beautiful creature. “Now, I really must see to my mother.”
“Ruth,” he said, unable to leave things so unresolved. His voice was hoarse, so he cleared his throat. “If you have need of…anything…for the next fortnight, I am here.”
She regarded him thoughtfully before giving a nod and turning away. “I will see you in the morning.”
Oliver took that promise to sleep and didn’t think of anything else for the rest of the night.
Chapter Six
Rule #6: Only ride with groups of even numbers, or one person will feel left out
When she set out that morning for the stables, picking her way along the path proved more challenging than Ruth had anticipated. The sun had not yet risen, and she wasn’t familiar with the estate or its grounds. She found herself in a walled garden at one point, tall hedges creating a barrier between her and what were likely fields and stables. But she located a gate in the hedges and made it to the stables in the end, where Oliver waited, standing between two saddled horses.
Her stomach gave a little leap when she saw him. “Good morning.”
“A cool morning, rather,” Oliver replied, glancing over her violet habit. She had repaired the tear supplied by the apple tree, but it had been a nuisance. There would be no more climbing trees in riding habits for Ruth. “I hope your jacket is warmer than it appears.”
“It will suffice.” Ruth’s spencer was thick. If anything, she was worried she would grow hot once the sun arrived. She approached the horse outfitted with a sidesaddle, gently speaking as she ran her hand down the mare’s face. “What a beauty you are.”
