Kensworth’s head kicked back slightly. “What the devil is wrong with my hair?” he asked, grinning and reaching up to run a hand through his long locks.
Oliver scrunched up his nose theatrically. “It’s too long. Looks as if you’re letting yourself go, living at the orphanage.” It had been no shock to Oliver when Kensworth had announced they would be living full time at the orphanage Rose and her uncle Felix had founded. Kensworth hated Society and had been looking for a way out of it since the day he had stepped into it. Boxing had been his escape before he met Rose—something Oliver wondered if his friend would pick back up now that he was home for the Season.
Kensworth just grinned deeper. “Rose likes it.”
“Hmm. I don’t.”
“Well, it’s a rather good thing you’re not the one I’m trying to get to kiss me, then.”
Oliver shrugged. “Your loss. I’m a fantastic kisser.”
Kensworth shook his head, but Oliver didn’t miss the hint of smile that slipped over his mouth. “Speaking of, who is the newest lady to catch your fancy?”
Oliver tensed, his finger pausing midway over the crack in the leather. “What do you mean?”
“Oh—don’t act the innocent. The Season has been in full swing for almost two weeks. Usually by now there is someone you are professing your undying love for.” It was annoying how well Kensworth thought he knew Oliver sometimes. Even more annoying that he wasn’t wrong. Oliver was in love again, but this time it was different. His feelings for Elizabeth were frightening and longstanding. It was because of these feelings for Elizabeth that he was constantly trying to lose himself in London flirtations. He couldn’t marry Elizabeth—he simply didn’t trust himself with her. So trying to forget her every time he returned to London felt like his only choice.
But now, she was here in London and he couldn’t escape her— or his feelings for her.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but no lady has caught my fancy this time.” He tried not to let his eyes dart away from Kensworth’s steely grey gaze, but he was unsuccessful. He looked to the fire and stretched his boots out to it, pretending he was only shifting in his seat to warm himself, and not because he was as uncomfortable lying to his friend as he would be on a bed of needles.
“No one?” asked Kensworth, eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“What can I say? Maybe I’m outgrowing my love sick ways.”
“Doubtful.” Kensworth continued to eye him for several uncomfortable minutes as if waiting for Oliver to crack under the pressure. Beads of sweat began to form at the base of Oliver's neck but he refused to look away. Finally, Kensworth broke his gaze and readjusted in his seat, suddenly intrigued by his fingernails. “Elizabeth is coming to stay with us. Moving in today, in fact,” he said, as if it was the most natural and spontaneous topic in the world and had nothing to do with what they had been previously discussing.
Which meant he knew. But how? Oliver had said nothing to his friend about his feelings for Elizabeth. And he absolutely wouldn’t now, either. There was too much risk that Elizabeth would find out. Kensworth and his entire family were wretched secret keepers. “Yes—she told me.” He opened his hands, indicating his presence. “How else would I have known you had returned to Town?”
“I thought perhaps you had caught my scent on the wind or something.” He smirked. “So you’ve seen her, then?”
Oliver chuckled. Did it normally sound so high and bubbly? He didn’t think so. “Of course I’ve seen her. Is that surprising?”
Act natural. Don’t let him see you sweat.
“Not in the least, actually.” Kensworth rested his chin on his fist and Oliver almost rolled his eyes at the look directed at him. It seemed his friend was in a mood to prove something. Well, not today. Oliver was a closed book, but Kensworth continued to try to crack him.
“I think we both know I am getting to the point in the conversation where the gloves come off.”
“I assumed it.” The air felt too hot.
“Olly, do you love Elizabeth?”
He curled his toes inside his boots. It wasn’t fair of Kensworth to ask him outright like that. He didn’t want to lie to him, but he must. If Oliver admitted his feelings, he knew his friend would be elated and encourage the match. But there would be no match because Oliver loved Elizabeth too much to marry her. If there was even a chance his father’s words were right—the words that had haunted him everyday since he had finally confronted to the man three years ago—he would never let himself come anywhere close to forming an attachment with Elizabeth. She deserved the best. Oliver would never be that for her.
Pushing his feelings for Elizabeth away was his only focus now. He took in a discreet breath through his nose and looked his friend in the eyes before he lied to him. “No. I do not love Elizabeth.”
Something flickered across Kensworth’s eyes. Skepticism? Or maybe disappointment? It definitely wasn’t relief—which at least made Oliver feel a little pleased. It would have been difficult to see his friend sigh with relief.
“That’s too bad,” said Kensworth. “You could have saved me from the many insufferable balls I’m going to have to attend.” Oliver learned long ago that Kensworth covered his feelings with a jest. He always had to squint to see the truth, but when he did, he could find it buried beneath the sarcasm.
Oliver smiled and clasped his hands behind his head. “You could have just said that you are disappointed I won’t be your brother-in-law.”
“I could, but lying is such a terrible habit and I’m trying to break it.” Kenny smirked, and Oliver felt himself relax into his favorite leather chair for the first time.
His comfort was short lived. A moment later, there was a short knock at the parlor door followed by the entrance of a footman holding a silver tray. “I apologize for the interruption, my lord, but there is an urgent missive for Mr. Turner.”
Oliver sat up straighter in the chair, wondering what sort of message could have been urgent enough for its sender to track him down at Kensworth House? Not that it would have been that difficult to do. Most people knew it was where he spent most of his time outside of Society functions.