Daniel tensed at the reference to Mr. Northam. After clearing his throat, he said, “We should be on our way.”
Mrs. Hickmore frowned. “I wish you an uneventful ride home, Mr. Brinton.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Hickmore. I assure you we shall be quite safe.” He placed a firm hand on my back.
“Give my regards to your father,” Mr. Hickmore said.
“And mine to your mother,” Mrs. Hickmore added.
I curtsied once more before allowing Daniel to direct me to the waiting carriage. He assisted me in, climbed up behind me, and shut the door. I settled onto the cushioned rear-facing bench while he sat opposite and rapped on the ceiling. The carriage jerked and slowly drew down the drive.
Hours of traveling stretched before us. Earlier, the thought hadn’t disturbed me. Though my younger sister Alice was sure to be disappointed not to have a new brother-in-law in the making, I missed my morning walks around the lake on our estate and the quiet evenings being in the company of only my family. But now the hours of sitting would be fraught with images of what might have been had Daniel not intervened.
Struggling to resign myself to the journey, I turned my attention to the window and the Hickmores’ diminishing house. A figure stood on the stairs. It took only a second to realize Mr. Northam had followed us outside, his unmistakable silhouette unmoving against the pillared white building. I gasped with delight.
Daniel glared out the window, then huffed as he sat back. “Have you gone mad?”
The carriage turned and Mr. Northam disappeared behind the trees. I closed my eyes so Daniel’s sour expression wouldn’t tarnish that final image of Mr. Northam on the step watching me drive away. It was all I had to feed my hope.
“Margaret!”
I peeked at Daniel through half-shut lids. “Shh. I’m dreaming.”
“Dreaming? Of Northam? Or of how it felt to be kissed again?”
I shot up in my seat. “Excuse me?”
“You’re lucky I was the one who discovered you instead of one of the guests or even Mrs. Hickmore. What would you have done then?”
He thought we’d kissed? My face burned. I had not realized Daniel would assume I was so lacking in morals. “He didn’t kiss me.”
“But it was your intention to allow him to, was it not?” His tone turned derisive. “You needn’t have made a fool of yourself. Northam is a rake. If you had asked, he would have given you a good kissing the first night.”
My insides roiled at the suggestion. “I would never permit a man such liberties without being engaged to him.”
“Are you saying you were not about to let him kiss you?” Daniel leaned toward me, emphasizing his point.
I drew back and crossed my arms. “I do not believe it is any of your business what I was or was not going to allow.”
“On this trip you have been my sole matter of business,” he responded through clenched teeth.
I rolled my eyes, but since he had come only because I had wished it, I yielded. “Fine. Yes, I would have allowed Mr. Northam to kiss me, if you hadn’t stridden into the room, in all your holy glory. But only after he’d proposed.”
Daniel’s brows shot up before knitting together with concern. “Northam is not the marrying type. Whatever he said, it wouldn’t have been followed by a proposal. But even if he did propose, I would never permit you to marry him.”
I scoffed, irritated by his assertion. “Fortunately, I am not in need of your permission. Father won’t refuse, not when Mr. Northam is a gentleman.”
“He will once I inform him of Northam’s reputation.”
The restraint on my frustration gave way. “If I do not care about the rumors, I see no reason why they should matter to you! You cannot want me dependent upon you, Daniel. Do you realize how humiliating that would be? And what will become of Alice? My remaining unwed may all but ruin her chances for a good match.”
“Anyone other than Northam, Margaret.”
“At least with Mr. Northam I’ll know what I’m getting. Say what you will, but it would be a fine match for both of us. Mr. Northam is not so wealthy that my dowry would go unappreciated, yet his estate is reputed to be quite breathtaking. He would obtain a wife who would not pester him with romantic sentiments, and I would finally obtain the status of married woman.”
Daniel opened his mouth, closed it, settled back against the seat, and crossed his arms. “He would