Page 22 of The Rules of Courtship
Her eyes flicked to Oliver, so swiftly Samuel would have missed it if he hadn’t been watching. “Yes, Mr. Harding. I would love to.”
Mr. Harding. He ought to remember to use her formal name in company as well. It was plainly known to the entire party that he, Oliver, and Ruth had grown up together, but of course, he would not wish to give anyone the wrong impression—not when she clearly wanted to keep them separated.
“Lovely, Miss Wycliffe,” he said, hoping she understood the message he was attempting to portray.
Everyone divided into pairs, Oliver asking Miss Temple, Mr. Bailey with Miss Edmonds, and Mr. Edmonds with Miss Jane. They took turns at the targets, warming their muscles and practicing. Miss Jane was a terrible shot, her arrow coming far too close to piercing her sister at one point.
Ruth sipped her lemonade and leaned closer, her shoulder brushing Samuel’s arm. “Remind me to stay far behind Miss Jane when it is her turn.”
“We can lose your bonnet to the wind and spend some time chasing it safely out of reach,” he suggested.
“I approve of that plan.” She laughed. “I will subtly untie it, and you knock it free.”
“Then kick it a few times until we are safely behind that hedge there.”
Ruth laughed again. Samuel glowed. He hadn’t heard that sound directed at him in years—not since before he started making his interest known. It was thrilling, and he wanted to hear it again. Coupled with her sparkling, amused eyes, he was taken back to their earlier youth when they were true friends, playing games with her brother Ryland, Oliver, and Eliza. Now Ryland and Eliza were each married, and no one was interested in climbing trees or searching for hidden treasure.
“No scheming,” Oliver said, making both of them jump. His eyes lingered on Samuel for a beat too long. Was the man jealous?
No. Of course not. He had felt nothing but friendship for Ruth. The protective drive of an older brother.
“We fear for our safety, Oliver,” she said. “You are welcome to join us.”
He shook his head. “I prefer to face danger head-on.”
“Grandmother always said otherwise,” Samuel said. It was utter rubbish, but he was only teasing.
“Unfair. You cannot use Grandmother’s words against me now. She’s not here to come to my defense.”
“Miss Wycliffe,” Miss Temple called, “it is your turn.”
“Dare we?” Ruth asked, her blue eyes on Samuel.
A thrill of acceptance and possibility ran through him. “Come now. We are the brave ones. There is no question about it.”
She laughed, shooting Oliver a grin before taking Samuel’s arm.
He wasn’t certain what had changed, but whatever it was, Samuel wasn’t going to look his gift horse in the teeth. Instead,he would discover if she was the woman he had been writing secret letters to for the better part of a year. Now, he just needed to find a way to put a quill pen in her hand…
Chapter Eight
Rule #8: Always allow adequate room to escape unwanted suitors. A perfectly acceptable excuse is retiring early
Dinner had long since passed, but despite eating a healthy, full meal, Oliver’s stomach felt strangely uneasy. He had spent too much energy watching Ruth and Samuel during archery earlier and the tea which followed. He had once again failed to properly pay attention to his own partner.
Miss Temple had been polite, but she had undoubtedly felt ignored. It was a shame Oliver had wasted the opportunity to speak to her more, to better learn what she was like. Now, the whole group was gathered in the drawing room late in the evening. He realized he had no notion of her temperament—or that of the other two women in attendance, Miss Jane and Miss Edmonds. All because he could not seem to ignore Samuel and Ruth laughing together.
Making Ruth laugh had previously been reserved for Oliver,while Samuel received patient, distant conversation. Had Oliver made a mistake in convincing Ruth to give Samuel a chance?
No, of course not. He only needed to accept these new changes to his relationships and friends. As they grew older and more of their original group of friends were married or paired off, things would continue to change even more. Such was the nature of life and growth.
Though that did not make it any easier to bear.
Ruth and Lady Helena took up positions at a card table with an older couple—the Watsons, he believed. He had yet to meet them, but they appeared to have a longstanding relationship with Lady Helena, who seemed to have overcome her illness.
Samuel stood near the fireplace with Miss Jane and Mr. Edmonds, holding court with a humorous anecdote. He had a talent for putting most people at ease. Whether they did not take him seriously because of his outlandish style or he won them over with his ready wit, Samuel did not struggle for friends. Now, it seemed even Ruth was allowing herself the freedom of being friendly with him again—all because of Oliver.
He scanned the rest of the room until he found Miss Edmonds and Miss Temple speaking together beside the bookcase. Miss Temple nodded to her friend, turned, and walked from the room, leaving Miss Edmonds behind.
