Page 53 of The Rules of Courtship
“Ruth,” he said again, taking her hand. His voice was low, only for her. “What is happening? What can I do?”
He could clearly see her panic. She was doing a terrible job of hiding it, but she wasexceedingly tired. Letting out a softbreath, she enjoyed the feeling of his fingers gently kneading her palm.
“This has all happened very quickly,” she said by explanation. “I still have a hard time believing…”
“That you will be my wife?”
The words had a physical power, hitting her in the chest with force.Be my wife. She wanted nothing more. No, that was not entirely true. She wanted him to want her to be his wife.
Oh, dear. Her thoughts were muddled.
“We will speak more tomorrow,” she promised, unable to answer him. “Surely the business with Papa’s mare will be finished by now. I will tell him to expect you.”
“That would be kind. Thank you.” His thumb brushed over the back of her hand. “I’m certain Rosaline misses you.”
Ruth thought of her horse, home and wondering why Ruth had not visited her in a week. “She is not alone in that. I intend to visit her the moment I return.”
A gentle smile touched his lips. “With apples from the very top of the tree, of course.”
“Well, I couldn’t expect her to eat the spoiled ones at the bottom, now could I?” she asked, fighting a smile.
“Forgive my interruption,” Lord Rocklin said, approaching them. “I wanted to let you know that your carriage is ready, Mr. Rose. Mr. Harding is waiting for you outside.”
Samuel. How could Ruth have forgotten him? She was vaguely aware of Oliver thanking their host for everything. Should she walk outside? Speak to Samuel? Or give him time?
Once Lord Rocklin left them, she pulled her hand free. “Have you spoken to Samuel?”
“I intend to do that while we ride home.”
She nodded, but the squirming in her stomach only grew. “Shall I speak to him?”
“It is probably better if I do so first.”
She let out a tired breath. “Very well.”
Oliver tapped the bottom of her chin with his bent knuckle. “No need to frown, Ruth. Things will all work out.”
She wished she could believe him.
Chapter Nineteen
SAMUEL
Rule #19: When one route does not work, pivot
It was all well and good to convince oneself not to love a particular woman, but believing it was another matter entirely. Logic prevailed, but the heart was not so easily persuaded. Despite the proof that Ruth wasn’t his mysterious letter writer, Samuel felt a blow upon learning she’d engaged herself to Oliver. He sat in the quiet carriage on the journey home, the conversation dipping between the house party and their friends at home between long stretches of silence.
Once they reached the outskirts of Harewood, Oliver faced him head on. “We need to speak about this before we separate, or I will not sleep at all tonight.”
“Go on, then,” Samuel said, tensing.
“I have not spoken to Wycliffe yet. If this union will hurt you, Sam, I will find a way to see it ended.”
Samuel glanced at his lap. It spoke much of Oliver’s character that he was willing to sacrifice a relationship with Ruth forSamuel’s benefit. Especially given how deeply Oliver obviously cared about Ruth.
“You needn’t do that,” Samuel finally said. “I had already accepted things would never progress between Ruth and I. Indeed, I am glad for you.”
Oliver frowned, observing him through concerned, narrowed eyes.
