Page 36

Over the next several days, the rain fell in droves. Though the women remained indoors, the men ventured forth each morning, returning in good spirits despite being thoroughly drenched.

Henry could only imagine how Miss Fernside felt, being trapped within the confines of Greygrove Manor, but they’d both agreed to continue their challenge, despite her being locked away.

“I do not think it fair for me to add birds to my list when you cannot,” Henry had told her.

But Miss Fernside had insisted. “If you don’t know I am still looking for birds out of the window every moment of the day, you are a greater simpleton than I thought.” Then her hazel eyes had sparkled.

So, Henry did his best to continue finding birds around him as he walked with the other gentlemen each morning, if only because he’d promised to do so.

But despite his best attempts, the birds were fewer and farther between, which pecked at the other men’s patience. Henry tried to keep them all satisfied, but doing so was difficult when something else was also niggling at his repose.

That of Mr. Haskett’s new and decided intolerance for Henry.

Henry had hoped he’d imagined the change that had come over the gentleman, but ever since Lord Blackstone’s name had been mentioned a few days prior, Miss Fernside’s uncle had essentially ended all friendly interaction with Henry.

Mr. Haskett was still respectful, but gone were their conversations during carriage rides, replaced with stiff silence and lowered brows.

And gone was Mr. Haskett’s interest in Henry’s travels, for the man could barely stomach a glance in his direction, even when Henry instructed the party or taught more about the birds in the Lake District.

Henry had attempted to speak with Miss Fernside on the matter, but their conversations when her uncle was near had become painfully stinted, for Mr. Haskett’s hawk-like eyes watched them devotedly.

One morning, nine days after their arrival in the Lake District, Henry plucked up his resolve to confront the gentleman.

He hardly cared if Mr. Haskett approved of his choice in club, but knowing that he was Miss Fernside’s uncle, Henry needed to put forth more effort, if only to keep his friendship with Miss Fernside intact.

With the rain still pouring forth from the dark skies above, Henry joined the gentlemen on their daily walk near the lake. He attempted time and again to walk beside Mr. Haskett, but the man was adept at avoidance.

Still, after his fourth attempt, Henry was successful, catching Mr. Haskett when the man became distracted with a nearby eider duck.

“Strange to see one so far beyond the coastline,” Henry began, “is it not?”

Mr. Haskett visibly stiffened. “Indeed, sir.”

His cravat stood tall and crisp, skimming the bottom of his ears as he maintained his view directly ahead.

They stood for a moment in silence. Henry struggled internally between his lack of concern over the man’s opinion and his desire to maintain a positive relationship.

Think of Miss Fernside.

“How are your niece and wife fairing remaining indoors so frequently?” Henry asked next.

“I believe they are quite content.”

Henry could have laughed. Did the man know his niece at all? Miss Fernside was no doubt beside herself.

“You must miss walking with them,” Henry tried next.

“I do.” His jaw flinched, then he turned to face Henry directly. “So you are a member of Blackstone’s.”

Henry nearly balked at the sudden change in conversation—and what it shifted to. This was the last thing he wished to discuss with the prejudiced gentleman.

“Yes, I am, sir.”

“And you find that Lord Blackstone treats you well?”

“Indeed. He is a kind man, if not a little eccentric. But then, most of us are in our own ways.”

He needn’t share how greatly he disapproved of the viscount’s gallery or the way he prattled on and on. Mr. Haskett hardly seemed unimpressed as it was.

“And are you acquainted with many of the men in your club?” the man asked next.

Henry hesitated. Mr. Haskett was clearly fishing, but for what fish, Henry couldn’t be sure. “I am with a certain number.”

His lips thinned. “What of Mr. Sebastian Drake?”

Mr. Drake? What on earth had he to do with anything? “I know him, yes.”

“Are the two of you merely acquaintances or have you struck up a friendship with him?”

Henry fought his every instinct to maintain his footing. Mr. Haskett’s questioning was so forceful, so strange, Henry wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. What was with this sudden obsession with Mr. Drake, of all people?

Furthermore, what right did Mr. Haskett have to interrogate Henry in such a way? He had a mind to fight back.

Miss Fernside. Think of Miss Fernside.

“We are merely acquaintances, sir,” Henry replied, his jaw tight. “But what I know of him, I believe to be honorable.”

Mr. Haskett sniffed, raising his chin with an air of superiority Henry couldn’t understand. “If you’ll excuse me. I promised Mr. Dunn I would share my latest find with him.”

With that, he bowed, then turned on his boot and stalked away.

Henry stared after him, dumbfounded and crestfallen. That simply could not have gone worse.

“Morning, Mr. Branok.”

Henry turned to find Mr. Shepherd by his side, a friendly smile on his face.

“Mr. Shepherd,” he greeted. “Good morning.”

Mr. Shepherd’s smile faded. “Are you well, sir?”

Henry stared after Mr. Haskett’s departing figure, the man walking right past Mr. Dunn to forge ahead of the group.

“Yes, I’m well,” Henry replied. “Though I fear Mr. Haskett is not.”

To Henry’s surprise, Mr. Shepherd chuckled.

“Why do you laugh?” he asked.

“Well, because it is obvious,” Mr. Shepherd said knowingly. “Mr. Haskett’s changed behavior. His sudden interrogations. It all adds up rather nicely.”

Henry faced him more directly. “Adds up to what, exactly? Him disapproving of my being a part of Blackstone’s?”

Mr. Shepherd pulled back with a frown. “Blackstone’s? Heavens no. He differs now in his behavior toward you because of…” He hesitated. “Because of your marked interest in his niece.”

The blood drained from Henry’s face. “What?”

Mr. Shepherd’s mouth opened as he struggled to speak. “I…forgive me. I thought, well, it is rather obvious that you and Miss Fernside have taken a liking to one another. I could only assume that Mr. Haskett is attempting to decipher if you might be a good enough match for his niece.”

The air rushed from Henry’s lungs as if he’d been struck, the words swimming through his mind.

Rather obvious.

Taken a liking to one another.

Might be a good enough match.

Good heavens. What had he done?

“I’m terribly sorry, Mr. Branok,” Mr. Shepherd said, looking truly repentant. “I did not mean to assume…”

Henry shook his head. This was his own fault.

This was all his own doing. Flirting with Miss Fernside, singling her out, seeking her out.

He’d hoped, being on this excursion—being so used to living out of Society’s notice on his own excursions—that his time with Miss Fernside would be ignored, chalked off as innocent fun.

After all, the entire party had been made aware of his and Miss Fernside’s distinct desire to remain single.

But of course others would assume that their fun was a mask for something more between them. And of course Mr. Haskett would think the same.

Would the man press them to marry simply to save Miss Fernside’s name from ruin? Or worse…had Henry done anything to ruin her name? He would never forgive himself if he injured the woman—or forced her to marry when she so clearly did not wish to.

But perhaps he’d caught the rumors in time. Perhaps he could put an end to them now, at this very moment. Save them both from going through the same thing he’d experienced years before.

“There is no need to apologize,” he reassured Mr. Shepherd, who looked more and more regretful of his words.

“I am grateful you have made me aware of what is being said about Miss Fernside and myself, but I must say, I am quite shocked. For she and I have both shared many times with nearly all of you that we have no interest in marriage—whether between ourselves or others.”

Images flashed in his mind as he spoke the words. He and Miss Fernside standing before a vicar, exchanging vows of eternal companionship. The two of them venturing forth to distant lands, discovering new birds. Smiles shared, love shared…

But he set them aside. That was in neither of their futures. They’d both made it abundantly clear from the start—and so had Lord Blackstone.

“Mr. Shepherd,” he continued, “if you would be so kind to tell me, how far have these rumors spread?”

“I am uncertain,” Mr. Shepherd said at once.

“Most of the men here do not care about such matters. The women might speak more, but my wife…” He hesitated.

“My wife speaks with me often. She notices things many do not. Miss Fernside’s eyes on you.

The way she brightens when you are near. Perhaps she was mistaken, though.”

Was that true? Did Miss Fernside watch him from afar? Did she find happiness when they were together?

He pressed a hand to his brow to force these new images aside. He should not care at all what Miss Fernside did in regard to watching him or her feelings for him—other than that of friendship.

Anything else would force both of them to alter lifelong plans, and neither of them were willing to do so.

“Might I ask a favor of you?” Henry asked next.

“Of course. Anything, Mr. Branok.”

“I know rumors have minds of their own,” he began, “but if you were to hear any other words about Miss Fernside and myself, would you be so kind as to correct them directly? I do not wish for Miss Fernside to be damaged by any of this.”

Mr. Shepherd nodded at once. “Of course, sir. I will see it as my duty. Mrs. Shepherd will be more than happy to oblige, as well.”

Relief filled Henry’s heart, though he was not na?ve enough to believe the rumors had not already spread. If one person noticed, many more would in time.

“I can’t thank you enough, Mr. Shepherd,” Henry said, delivering another nod of gratitude before excusing himself.

He strode away in the opposite direction of the others. He needed time to think. Time to decide how to best proceed.

And more than anything, he needed time to figure out how exactly he would tell Miss Fernside that their friendship was being sabotaged by the opinions of others, all while keeping to himself that his own wayward and confusing thoughts of spending the rest of his life with her were also to blame.