“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.”
I sighed. “For Louisa’s sake,” I amended.
“It is a pleasure to see you again, Miss Rosthorn,” Lord Williams said.
Daniel crossed his arms and glanced from the baron to Louisa with a frown.
He was jealous. It would do him some good to feel jealous. If I could get Lord Williams and Louisa to walk alone together, perhaps that would spur Daniel to action. The lake seemed the best route; Lord Williams would never consider draining the lake once he had experienced its beauty up close.
“We are walking to the lake.” I linked my arm through Daniel’s. His frown deepened, but I ignored it and tugged on his arm.
“What are you up to?” he asked when we reached the bottom of the stairs.
“Up to? I’m saving your relationship with the only woman who’ll have you.” I glanced over my shoulder, pleased that Lord Williams and Louisa were conversing.
Daniel huffed.
“You do not believe me? Would you believe we were hurrying through the yard because she was afraid to encounter you?”
“Of course not.”
“Well, you should. Your behavior toward her since our return has been less than encouraging.”
Daniel tensed. “Margaret, the last time we met I fell into the lake.”
I took in his slightly reddened cheeks and couldn’t help but laugh.
He scowled. I put a hand on his arm to placate him. “Daniel, if embarrassment is the reason for your cold greeting yesterday, speak with her. She thinks it is something serious.”
“Having her witness such a misfortune is serious.”
I shook my head. “Your injured pride is not serious. Her thinking you met someone at the Hickmores’ is.”
Daniel stopped walking. “But—that—she thinks that? Did she say as much to you?” He glanced behind us to where Louisa smiled at something Lord Williams said.
“You need to speak with her,” I urged.
He kicked a rock on the path and sent it racing into the grass, then set his shoulders with resolve. But I had not discussed with him the other thing weighing on my mind, so I tugged on his arm to continue our walk. “I need to speak to you of something else.”
“What?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder again but walking with me.
“Did you write to Mr. Northam for me?”
Daniel yanked his arm away from me. “Why does it matter?”
“Daniel, please. I cannot have him coming here while Lord Williams is present.”
He sneered. “What makes you think he’ll come at all?”
“What if he did? Whatever you think, he was about to propose. What if he comes and demands he had the prior claim?”
“You’ve decided Lord Williams is the better choice?” Daniel asked in disbelief.
I shook my head. “Never.”
“Then you are an even greater fool than I thought. I should tell Lord Williams of your stupidity while he still has time to back out.”
We came to a stop again and I stared at Daniel, hurt by the betrayal of his allegiance, but not denying the opportunity it provided. “He already knows and has wasted no time in telling me as much himself. However, I wish you would reiterate it. Please, see that he is gone within the hour.”
“You do not know what you are asking.”
“Yes, I do.”
Daniel glanced back at the approaching couple. “He is the best thing that has ever happened to you. If you would only open your eyes you would see it, too.”
At that moment Louisa laughed quietly at something Lord Williams said. He was winning her over as well. That wasn’t supposed to happen. “Why can no one see that he is all pretense?” I asked in frustration.
Daniel shook his head and turned away, studying the lake as Louisa and the baron caught up with us.
Well, whether Daniel aided me or not, I would still help him. Flashing my brightest smile, I said, “Lord Williams, perhaps you would enjoy a bouquet of flowers from the garden in your room. I have been remiss in my duty, as it is a habit of mine to ensure each of our guests is greeted with an arrangement.” I stepped between him and Louisa, forcing Louisa up the path next to Daniel. “Upon reconsideration, it is rather fortuitous that I waited, is it not? Else you would have found yourself waking each morning to a disagreeably formal selection of blooms, and now I will be sure to obtain some wildflowers instead.”
“Indeed. I do not know how to thank you for your neglect,” Lord Williams replied in his characteristic ironic tone.
I shot him a glare. He raised a brow in return.
“Miss Rosthorn?” Daniel held an arm out to Louisa and she hesitantly took it. Lord Williams made to follow them but I placed a hand on his arm, stopping him until they were several feet in front of us. When Louisa finally turned her face to Daniel and spoke, I clasped my hands behind me in satisfaction.
“Well done,” Lord Williams commented.
He couldn’t have known what had transpired. “Excuse me?”
He indicated Daniel and Louisa.
Perhaps he understood more than I gave him credit for. I shrugged and followed after them. “There was a simple misunderstanding.”
He kept pace with me. “I would that all misunderstandings were so easily rectified.”
“Yes, indeed,” I muttered. Though his presence didn’t quite qualify as a misunderstanding.
“Miss Rosthorn appears to be a very amiable friend.”
“She is the best sort of friend.”
“Does she have siblings?”
His question made me stumble, but I quickly recovered my footing. “Yes. An older brother.”
Lord Williams nodded as though I had confirmed something.