Finding herself in his arms had made her heart flutter and her legs grow weak. She felt protected as she listened to the beating of his heart. Comforted by the sweet whispers as he stroked her hair. She could have remained there forever.
But then he had to go and ruin it by opening his mouth.
No one in England—nay, on this earth!—was as self-serving and arrogant as that man! His natural good looks were marred only by the words he spoke. If she could place a gag in his mouth to be removed only when she wished him to kiss her, perhaps they would have a future together. Yet since that was unlikely to occur, they would doubtless part ways once she saved the theater. After all, he had no plans to remain in Chatsworth once their contest was completed.
Now more than ever, Louisa vowed to save the theater if only to best him. He was a self-righteous, egotistical monster who needed to be taught a lesson!
She sighed. If she believed this, why did she still wish to see him again? To be near him? To have him hold her once more?
“Shouldn’t you be heading downstairs?” Ruth asked as she peeked through the door. “I imagine Mrs. Shepherd has put together a wonderful luncheon.”
“Thank you, but I’m not hungry. Why don’t you go without me?”
Ruth clicked her tongue and closed the door behind her. “I may be hungry, but I won’t leave you alone. Not when I see something bothering you.” She crossed her arms and frowned. “What’s wrong?”
Louisa sighed again. “Go on and eat, Ruth. I’ll be all right. There is no need to worry about me.”
Ruth’s frown deepened, and she narrowed her eyes. “You know very well that the hungrier I become, the more my temper flares, Louisa.” She raised a menacing fist. “Now, you’d best tell me, or I’ll flatten your nose.”
Louisa could not help but laugh. Those who did not know Ruth might have trembled at her threats. Yet anyone who was acquainted with her in any way knew that her bark was worse than her bite. And despite her fierceness, she was never hateful. When she wanted something, she got it. That was who Ruth was.
“It’s that blasted knight again, isn’t it?”
Louisa gave a dejected nod and fell back on her bed to look up at the ceiling.
“I don’t want to miss luncheon, Louisa, so speak.”
Smoothing her skirts, Louisa exhaled. “I’m sure you remember the first time he said he cared for me, do you not? Well, it seems that I care for him, too. But I’m at a loss as to what to do. He can’t be trusted, Ruth.”
“And what makes you say that?”
“He broke our agreement!” Louisa said in exasperation. “And don’t look at me like that! I know I’m not any better, but at least I have a valid reason for my behavior.” She heaved another sigh and then paused. “For goodness’ sake! When did I become so melodramatic?”
Ruth fell back onto the bed beside Louisa and said, “Love is an odd thing, isn’t it? I find myself thinking about the captain, though I know I should not.” She turned her head to look at Louisa. “If I tell you something, do you promise not to repeat what I say?”
Louisa rolled her eyes. The last thing she needed was to listen to one of Ruth’s outlandish stories. Then again, perhaps doing so would take Louisa’s thoughts off the knight.
“I promise,” she replied. “Did you really meet a captain?”
Ruth wore a wicked smile. “Not only did I meet one, but he also kissed me. In Mrs. Rutley’s office!”
Turning onto her side, Louisa frowned. “When did a captain of any sort come to the school?”
“Two winters ago, there was a terrible snowstorm. So terrible that travel was nearly impossible. Do you remember?”
Louisa nodded. “I do. Or rather I heard about it. I had gone home for Christmas that year, and we got little snow.”
“Yes, very few of the students had remained that year,” Ruth replied. “Well, a captain—his name is Luke Bannermann—he sought refuge here at Courtly Manor. We fed him and drank tea together while he was here.” Her voice took a dreamy quality. “Oh, Louisa, he was so handsome, so dashing, and he told me the most wonderful stories about his travels. Well, when Mrs. Rutley excused herself for a few moments, I asked him two questions.”
“Go on,” Louisa said, intrigued. “What did you ask?”
“First, I asked him if he’d be willing to come for me when I finished school.”
Louisa grinned. So, that was why Ruth always spoke of seafaring adventures.
“Then, I asked him to kiss me as a way to seal his promise to do so if he agreed.”
Louisa covered a gasp with her hand. “And did he?”