I sat on the bench out front after breakfast the next morning, pretending to read a sermon on conduct. The talk of the morning had again focused on changes that should be made to the estate, and my residual agitation made it almost impossible to sit still, let alone focus on the words of the book. But I didn’t give up my pretense for fear that the baron would catch me without an occupation and request my company.
A small noise on the gravel drew my attention and I glanced up, careful to make it appear I was still reading in case the noise arose from Lord Williams. Louisa’s figure rounded the bend, and I tossed the book aside and ran to her. “Oh, Louisa! You came!”
“Of course. Tell me everything.”
“Come sit with me.”
To my surprise, she pulled away. “Perhaps we could walk?”
“Why?”
“I think it better if I do not meet with your brother.”
“What has happened?”
Louisa studied her gloved hands. “The last time we met he seemed ill-pleased to see me. If . . . something has changed . . . regarding his intentions—”
I suddenly understood. Daniel’s reaction at the stairs had caused her to believe his affection had transferred to someone he’d met at the Hickmores’. “He loves you, Louisa, and no one else.”
She wouldn’t meet my eyes, so I continued, “He has been acting peculiar ever since Lord Williams appeared. But yesterday morning he was upset with me because he thought I was pressuring you into staying. He did not wish for you to stay if you had no desire to.”
“I understand.” She smiled, but doubt still shone in her eyes. Then her smile turned to a frown. “Tell me—your guest, Lord Williams—he is the same man you told me about?”
I nodded.
“What is he doing here?”
I surveyed our surroundings. No one appeared to be outside, but still I dragged her across the lawn to a bench on the path near the woods, relaying how the baron was the man my father had arranged for me to marry and everything that had occurred since.
“Oh, Margaret.” She clasped my hands. “What are you going to do? What does your brother think?”
“Daniel is practically in love with the baron himself. My whole family is enchanted by him.”
Louisa frowned, a line of thought creasing her brows as she murmured, “He did appear quite attentive yesterday when I chanced upon you.”
I rolled my eyes. “When you discovered us, I had been trying to make my escape. The baron mistook my desire to return to the house as a bout of illness and forced me onto the bench to rest.” I hesitated, debating whether I should tell her how he asked me to call him by his first name. I decided against it, fearing that if I told her, his lack of insistence on formality would appeal to her. With my family so against me, I needed her support.
“Margaret, what I fail to understand is why Lord Williams is even here.”
“I told you—”
“No, I mean, why does he wish to marry you?” At my expression, she rushed to add, “You know I didn’t mean it that way.”
I laughed. “Of course not, but. . . .” I shrugged. “I have no idea. It makes no sense. I even asked him, but he’s disinclined to tell me. I can only think that he either means to keep me from his cousin or he means to teach me some lesson.”
“Neither of which warrant an engagement.” Louisa stopped and stared over my shoulder. I followed her gaze to find Daniel and Lord Williams strolling toward us across the lawn.
I stood. “Let’s walk.”
She hesitated.
“Hurry,” I urged.
We moved along the path skirting the yard, heading toward the lake and away from the men.
“What have you heard of Mr. Northam?” she asked.
“Nothing.” I sighed. “My hope is that Daniel has written to him and asked him not to come. It wouldn’t do to have him appear while Lord Williams is here. It might ruin my chances with him.”
“Do you have a plan?”
I shook my head. “I’ve tried everything short of being malicious myself—and perhaps even a little of that. You would have abhorred the way I’ve acted.”
Daniel reached my side. “Abhorrence at the way you act is nothing new.” He smiled at Louisa. “May we join you?”
I stopped walking and glared at Daniel. “No,” I replied at the same time that Louisa quietly responded, “Of course.”