Page 31 of The Rules of Courtship (Hearts of Harewood #3)

Chapter Thirty-One

Rule #31: Never become engaged unless you can have the banns read straight away. Waiting is sheer torture

Ruth preceded Catherine, Lady Helena, and Mrs. Watson into the drawing room at Boone Park, so she was the first to see Oliver’s smile light up when he saw her. In her position, she was also the first to see his expression fall when he noticed the train of women following in her wake. The whole party was swathed in silks and gauze, their hair intricately put up and long, silk gloves pulled up to their elbows. They were ready for the Locksley assemblies, and they looked regal and sophisticated. But still, Oliver only had eyes for Ruth, making warmth steal up her neck and pepper her cheeks.

“We hoped to see Eliza,” Ruth said, coming to stop before him. “How is she feeling?”

“Better today, I think, but I will let her answer that.” Oliver spread his smile over the group and bowed low. “How good it is to see you again so soon, Mrs. Watson and Miss Temple.”

If he was curious about Miss Jane’s absence, he did not say so. The women curtsied.

“If you would like to remain here, I can take Ruth and Lady Helena up to see Eliza,” Oliver offered. “I will have Harrison bring you something to drink.”

They murmured their assent, and Mrs. Watson led Miss Temple toward the sofa while Oliver exchanged a few words with his butler. Harrison discreetly handed him a folded white letter, which he tucked in his pocket. He was soon opening the door to lead the Wycliffe women from the room.

“You will never believe what I learned,” Ruth whispered once they reached the stairs and were well out of earshot.

“Ruth,” her stepmother admonished. “You do not wish to gossip.”

Ruth shot wide eyes back at Lady Helena. “It is not gossip . I am merely telling my future husband information that is of interest to him.” Even if it was gossip, did that count between spouses? Oliver was nearly her spouse. He would be the moment he put off his black gloves, at least.

Besides, this news was relevant. He had speculated with her at Rocklin about the state of Miss Edmunds, and now the mystery was solved and his lingering curiosity—if there was any—could be satisfied.

“I suppose Miss Jane would likely tell you herself were she here,” Lady Helena finally admitted.

Oh, there was also that . Ruth’s grin widened. “That is not what I wanted to share with him, but it is good news, too. Jane Temple is soon to be engaged.” Ruth bubbled with excitement. “To Mr. Edmonds!”

“Truly?” Oliver asked, pausing at the top of the stairs to look at her. He showed genuine surprise, which mirrored what Ruth felt when she had heard the news. The couple had never shown a marked interest in each other.

“Catherine told me so last night when they arrived, in order to excuse her sister for choosing to remain at home. Jane has been helping to see after Mr. Edmonds during his recovery, and they formed something of a connection. Lord Rocklin invited the Edmonds to remain at Rocklin House as long as they would like.” She grinned. “Mrs. Watson believes an engagement is imminent, for Mr. Edmonds told his sister he would like to ask for Jane’s hand the moment he is able to stand and do so.”

“It is awfully romantic,” Oliver said, amused.

Ruth tugged at his arm. “It is, but the other news is even better than that. Once Mr. Edmonds proved he was going to fully recover, his sister ran off .”

Oliver blinked, waiting for her to continue.

Ruth’s smile stretched wide. “With Mr. Kellinger.”

“Truly?” His surprise mounted, which felt oddly gratifying.

“Yes. I thought the man was married, but it turns out the Phillipa he struggled to leave behind for the house party was not a wife. It was his horse .” Ruth chuckled. “What a happy turnaround for the Edmonds. To think, if Mr. Edmonds had never hit his head and required such a lengthy convalescence, he might not have fallen in love.”

Oliver laughed, exchanging a glance with Lady Helena. “You think he is grateful to have been toppled off a horse?”

She shrugged. “I think he is grateful to be in love. They had not formed a connection prior to the accident.”

“Did you hear any news of Mr. Bailey?” Oliver asked.

Ruth frowned. “No. Catherine mentioned he left Rocklin the same day we did. I do hope he finds love.”

“He will,” Lady Helena said. “A man that handsome with a healthy estate of that sort will not have trouble finding willing young ladies to court.”

“Yes, Mama,” Ruth said. “But he deserves love.”

Lady Helena agreed. They stopped in front of Eliza’s door. Oliver knocked, and Jacob came to answer it. When he noticed the visitors, he smiled. “She is awake, if you would like to come in.”

“Yes, please,” Ruth said.

Oliver hung back.

“Are you returning to the drawing room?” Ruth asked.

He hesitated, worrying his lip with his teeth. “Not quite.”

Ruth moved aside to allow Lady Helena to enter the chamber. She gestured toward the room. “You may join us.”

Oliver pulled the letter from his pocket. “Harrison gave this to me. Evidently, it was found in Esther’s room with my name on it.”

“Esther is your uncle’s wife?” Ruth asked, trying to recall. She had met the woman only briefly.

“Yes. I know it is not polite?—”

“Go, Oliver. Read your letter. No one will care if you are away for a few minutes.”

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and nodded. “I shall return shortly.”

She smiled, closing the door behind him. When she turned to see Eliza sitting up in bed with a bundled baby in her arms, Ruth’s heart nearly burst. Tears sprang to her eyes as she crossed the room. “Lizzie, she is perfect.”

“An angel,” Lady Helena agreed, admiring her.

“We are calling her Lydia,” Eliza said, angling the baby so they could see her tiny face and thick, dark hair. Lydia scrunched her nose, her forehead wrinkling while she made tiny baby squeaking sounds.

“May I hold her?” Ruth asked. Eliza gently transferred her sweet baby into Ruth’s arms.

Lady Helena admired the baby then focused on Eliza. “How are you feeling?”

“Much better today. We plan to go home in the morning. Oliver has been so kind to let us stay. ”

Jacob grunted from where he stood on the other side of the bed, his arms folded over his chest.

“He has opinions about how we ended up at Boone Park,” Eliza explained. “But I couldn’t very well miss the reading of the will, could I?”

“No one would expect it of you,” Ruth agreed, smiling down at Lydia as she gently rocked back and forth.

Eliza looked at her husband, her face growing serious. “Jacob spoke to Oliver,” she said quietly. “Though you might already know that.”

Ruth looked up. “You did?”

Jacob nodded. “It was…good. We are…good.”

“A man of many words,” Eliza said with a smile. “They have chosen to leave it for now. Maybe someday they will write together to their father, but at present, it is not a priority for either of them. They are glad to each have a new brother, but they do not feel inclined to make sure the whole of Harewood knows it as well.”

Ruth gave a small gasp, her hands tightening on Lydia. “That means…oh, Lizzie! I am to be your sister-in-law !”

“Yes, I had thought of that,” Eliza said with amusement.

Ruth looked down at Lydia with wonder. “Which means this is my niece .”

“Does that change anything, truly?” Lady Helena asked.

“No, of course not. She was always going to call me Aunt Ruth, you know.” She ran her knuckles over Lydia’s soft velvety cheek and sighed as the baby scrunched her face in annoyance. “This is even better.”

Jacob shook his head, but he was smiling.

Ruth absolutely beamed.

“We ought to be leaving soon,” Lady Helena said. “We are taking Catherine Temple and Mrs. Watson to the Locksley assemblies.”

“I would rather remain here,” Ruth said .

Lady Helena was undeterred. “Yes, but you shan’t.”

She groaned softly. Her stepmother was correct, and she would not leave her guests to attend the assemblies without her. She handed the baby reluctantly back to Eliza and stepped back. “Can I see you tomorrow?”

“Of course. Come to the forge though. I will not be here.”

She nodded, leaning to give her dearest friend a hug. “I am glad for how things have turned out.”

Eliza smiled, her eyes bright. “As am I.”

OLIVER

The letter was written in perfect English, but Oliver still struggled to make sense of it. He ran his eyes over the message for the fifth time, then dropped his hand by his side.

Esther had left him money. Or, rather, the moment Captain Rose’s fortune moved to her hands, she would. Her intention was clear. What Oliver did not understand was why ?

Ruth and Lady Helena’s voices could be heard in the corridor, so Oliver folded the paper again and tucked it in his pocket. He stood at the top of the stairs waiting for them. They would be upon him soon.

Should he tell her now? He and Ruth had been prepared for a future with hardship and financial insecurity. Wycliffe had blessed the union, knowing they would find a way through it somehow. Yet, Oliver had privately wondered if he would need to sell Boone Park to start fresh somewhere else—somewhere much smaller, more affordable.

If this letter was real, if Esther wanted to help, he would not have to give up his family estate—the house his mother was raised in. The house he was raised in. The house where he had hoped to raise his own children.

Relief rushed through his body. There was still a good deal of work ahead of them, but now the bank could be paid and Oliver could move forward rebuilding the estate’s funds.

“You seem pleased,” Ruth said, coming up to his side. She slid her hand down his arm and wrapped her fingers around his. “I think that is the most beautiful baby I have ever before laid eyes on.”

“She is lovely,” he agreed, gesturing for her and Lady Helena to precede him down the stairs.

“Such a great deal of dark hair,” Ruth continued, descending beside her stepmother.

“Eliza is so beautiful,” Lady Helena said. “It is no surprise her child would be the same. Though Lydia takes after her father quite a lot.”

“She does,” Ruth agreed, nodding.

Oliver could not take it anymore. “We have the money.”

The women stopped and turned to look at him, their expressions quizzical. He stood two steps above them, towering even more than he usually did.

“Oliver?” Ruth asked.

“Yes.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I sound mad, but this is mad. It is what Esther wrote to me about. She wants to provide us with the three thousand pounds we owe the bank.”

“You are in earnest?” Lady Helena asked. “That is wonderful.”

“But…is it wrong to accept?” He looked between them. “Captain Rose was not my father. It is a fortune, nearly as much as he set aside for his daughters’ dowries.”

Ruth met him on the higher stair. “Only you can decide that, Oliver. I think it is kind of her. Your grandmother ought to have made her situation plain to the family so you were not as shocked when you inherited her debts. But that is the past and you have made great strides in the last year. You should be proud of yourself. I am deeply proud of you.”

He nodded, glancing down to find Lady Helena gone. She must have quietly retreated. He closed his eyes. “I want to accept.”

“Whatever you decide, I will support you,” Ruth repeated.

He swallowed, setting his eyes back on her serious gaze. “You are incredible.”

“Thank you.” A grin broke over her mouth, drawing his attention to her lips. “Did that show of support earn me a kiss?” she asked.

“You never need to earn it,” he said, but he obliged her anyway. Pulling her tightly against him, Oliver slipped his hands around her waist and found her lips, unleashing the pent-up emotion he had been harboring all day. She buried her hands in his hair, returning his affection tenfold.

Ruth had been the beacon of light in his dreary world. Sunlight shone on the horizon now, a promise of good things to come, but still she shone brighter, filled him with more comfort and heat than anything else could. She was his home.

Though Oliver was grateful they would not lose their house.

“Your guests are waiting,” he said breathlessly. Regretfully, he pulled back.

“Blasted guests,” she muttered, reaching to kiss him again.

Oliver enjoyed her for another moment before breaking away. “Locksley is waiting, as well.”

“The assemblies can go to the devil.”

She tried to kiss him again, but he stepped back, fighting a laugh. “You must go, Ruth. I will meet you in the morning for a ride, if that suits.”

She looked up at him through her lashes, the sweetest smile falling over her plump lips, and his heart tripped. “I was hoping we would ride every day for the rest of our lives, Oliver.”

“I can agree to that. ”

“You shall have to keep my newest rule, then.”

He could sense an incoming absurdity. “What new rule is that, Ruth?”

“Well, I had to do away with many rules, as you know. I am breaking them left and right.”

“You did engage yourself to a man from Harewood. I can see how that might have taken its toll.”

“Precisely. So I’ve drafted a new list of rules. Since you are to be my husband, you must agree to take them seriously.”

“Must I?”

She leaned in. “I do not think it will be a hardship.”

His blood heated, imagining all sorts of rules and how he would enjoy seeing them through. “What are they?”

“The first one has to do with riding,” she said seriously, though there was a glint in her eye. “We must take a break near the oak tree every time we set out together.”

The tree where they had kissed. His chest thudded, body warming at the memory of pressing Ruth against the trunk and losing himself in the way she had made him feel. If she was not careful, he would change his tune and try to convince her to remain at Boone Park for the evening. But the women were waiting, and Lady Helena likely knew what they were up to. With great restraint, for which Oliver was vastly proud of himself, he took a step back. He thought of meeting her in the morning and riding to their tree together. “That is a rule I can easily agree to.”

“Good.” Ruth took his hand and tugged him along behind her down the stairs. “I love you, Oliver Rose.”

“Not quite as much as I love you, I think,” he countered.

“Hmm. I shall race you for it tomorrow.”

“Deal.”