Page 73 of The Rules of Courtship
Oliver blinked. She was correct. He had the power to do just that, and he would be telling the truth if he admitted his feelings to her father.
Ruth must have sensed his resolve weakening. She steppedforward, taking him by the arms and willing him to look at her. “You do love me, do you not? I cannot believe you would look at me in the way you do unless it was out of love.”
She had seen directly through him. He searched for the words to explain, but none came.
Sliding her hands up his arms, Ruth cupped his face, her soft palms cradling his jaw with such care and affection, he felt emotion surge to his eyes. He had been trying to be so strong for himself, his uncle, his family members these last few weeks, and one small touch from her crumbled him entirely.
“Please, Oliver. I love you.”
He closed his eyes. “Youthinkyou do.”
“What?” She stilled, her hands freezing in place.
“How are you certain these feelings are not a result of sharing a few romantic moments together? I cannot in good conscience allow you to tie yourself to me if they are fleeting.”
He thought for a moment she would step away, but she did the opposite. Brushing her thumb along his cheekbone, she willed him to look into her eyes yet again. “Answer me, Oliver. Do you love me?”
His eyes drifted closed. He could not lie to her. “Yes.”
She sucked in a quiet breath, her hands sliding around the back of his neck. Burying her head against his chest, she clung to him. Oliver breathed in her familiar scent, tilting his head to avoid a collision with her riding hat. He kissed her temple. “Do you not understand that it is my feelings for you which dictate our need to avoid a union?”
“Now you are being silly,” she said, her voice muffled by his coat lapel. “Together, we can face anything.Together. You must quit avoiding me when you face difficulties. It hurts, and I want to be here for you, Oliver. You do not need to face your trials alone anymore.”
Her words were a salve over his pain. The possibility that shecould be right, that he would not have to be alone any longer, filled him with hope.
Ruth burrowed into him, and he felt that nothing else mattered but this woman. Inhaling her familiar scent, he forced his heart to keep beating, his lungs to keep breathing. “And if your feelings are not?—”
“You do not get to say what my feelings are,” Ruth said. “If I grow bored of you in a year, then I suppose I will take up knitting. Eliza can teach me.”
“That sounds dangerous.”
“It sounds ridiculous,” she countered, leaning back to look him in the eye, “because it will never happen.”
She made it sound easy, that they must merely make the choice and the rest would work itself out.
“Please do not give up on me,” she whispered.
Gads. Despite himself, Oliver had no choice in the matter. Even in this, he could not find it in himself to refuse her. Could she be correct? Could their love conquer whatever else was thrown at them? It came down to making a decision and standing by it. In this, he wanted to choose Ruth. He wanted them to choose each other.
“I will not,” he promised. “I could never give up on you.”
A brilliant smile spread over her lips. She dropped her gaze to his mouth when the door opened, and a voice cut through the room.
“I’ve found them,” Wycliffe said dryly.
Oliver released Ruth, stepping back at once.
Ruth glanced over her shoulder, frowning. “What is it? We are engaged, Papa,” she reminded him.
“We can discuss that later,” he said. “Right now, Oliver is needed at home.”
“Papa—”
Wycliffe lifted a hand to quiet her and set his attention onOliver. “Samuel is here for you. You have visitors at Boone Park, and they refuse to speak to anyone but you.”
“Who are they?” he asked, pulling at his cuffs and straightening his coat. Embarrassment climbed up his neck.
Samuel stepped around Wycliffe, a concerned frown on his brow. He looked between them, shook his head, and said, “They claim to be Captain Rose’s family.”
