"Actually, yes." Charles reached into his coat and produced an elegant envelope. "My family is hosting a midsummer ball next week."
Genevieve looked surprised. "Already? Time moves quickly."
He offered the invitation. "I would be honored if you attended."
Silence followed—not awkward silence, anticipatory silence. Nathaniel hated that he cared about her answer.
"Thank you," Genevieve said. "I would like that."
Something tightened inside Nathaniel's chest; he immediately disliked the sensation.
Charles smiled warmly. "Excellent."
After a few more minutes of conversation, Nathaniel excused himself and returned toward the stables. The evening no longer seemed quite as pleasant.
Samuel found him there shortly afterward. "You missed supper."
"I was not hungry."
Samuel looked unconvinced. "Interesting."
Nathaniel began organizing equipment. "Why?"
"Because Miss Carter and Mr. Pembroke also missed supper."
Nathaniel froze briefly. Samuel noticed.
"Ah." The older man nodded slowly. "Now I understand."
"Understand what?"
"Nothing." Samuel's expression suggested exactly the opposite. "Absolutely nothing."
Nathaniel abandoned the conversation before it could become even more irritating.
Unfortunately, avoidance proved impossible over the next several days. Charles remained everywhere: during breakfast discussions, during property inspections, during evening walks through the gardens. Genevieve appeared increasingly comfortable around him. One afternoon, Nathaniel spotted them seated beneath an oak tree, reviewing maps together. They looked happy.
The sight should have reassured him: Charles was kind, respectful, intelligent—everything Genevieve deserved. Instead, the sight produced a feeling Nathaniel recognized immediately and disliked intensely: jealousy.
The realization arrived with uncomfortable clarity: he was jealous not because Charles possessed superior qualities, not because Charles threatened his pride, but because Genevieve mattered far more than she should.
That evening brought another unexpected development. Nathaniel was returning equipment to a storage building when he noticed Genevieve near the library entrance. She appeared distracted, thoughtful. He approached cautiously.
"Everything all right?"