Page 16 of Shining Knight
She lifted her head and looked at him with one eye closed. “Did you know Knighton gave Farnsworth permission to pay his addresses? He is the first one Rowley has accepted, to my knowledge.”
“To be fair, the others were not up to snuff,” Graham added.
She wrinkled her nose. “Farnsworth is nice, but he was at school with my father. He and Aunt Hambridge reminisced for the entire journey here.”
Graham chuckled. “And Perth?”
She tipped her head back and closed her eyes. “He is handsome and wealthy enough that he does not need my money.”
“True…but?”
“But… I wish there was not this ridiculous sense of competition about it. Do they comprehend I am more than just a prize to win?” She swallowed heavily and Graham felt a twinge of guilt inside.
He stopped rowing and took one of her hands.
“Genie, you do not have to marry where you cannot be happy.”
“It is not that.” She shook her head and opened her eyes. “I do need to marry. I realize that now. I am sure either one of them will be a lovely husband and treat me well.”
Then why did she sound so sad about it? “Do not rush into it. Promise me, pet. Take your time to know them both before you decide. Promise me.”
She bit her lip and nodded her head, then looked away.
“I will always be here for you, Genie.”
She gave him a half smile and he had to be content with that.
“What of your prospects?”
She surprised him by turning the tables. “I can safely say that Kitty Ravenhill is not on my list.”
“Endeavor not to be alone with her. I would put nothing past her,” she warned.
“I have not managed to remain single thus far without a keen sense of self-preservation.”
“Oh? Then perhaps you should look behind you.”
Graham turned seconds before Sir Martin Hardy bumped his boat into theirs. Everything would have been perfectly well– they had not collided at any great rate of speed– but Sir Martin had been standing up, like a gondolier paddling through the Venice canals, in order to impress Miss Ravenhill. He lost his balance and overturned their small craft, sending himself and Miss Ravenhill into the river. An unfortunate amount of water splashed into their own boat, but at least they stayed upright. By the time the boat was turned over and both parties were pulled from the water, the entire guest list was standing on the riverbank, gawking.
“So much for a demure afternoon,” Eugenia muttered.
