Page 156 of Eleanor’s Earrings

He accepted Rebecca’s warning about his horse.

He ate Martha’s breakfast without asking whether there was more coffee.

When Eleanor told him the rear wagons needed another ten minutes, he said, “Of course.”

She stared at him.

“What?”

“You are behaving strangely.”

“I am behaving pleasantly.”

“That is what worries me.”

Nathaniel looked offended. “I am often pleasant.”

“No.”

“You wound me.”

“You survived a horse fall. You will survive honesty.”

He tried to walk away.

Eleanor caught his sleeve. “You are planning something.”

Nathaniel kept his expression carefully blank. “That is absurd.”

“You are a poor liar.”

“You have repeatedly told me I am an excellent liar.”

“When it concerns weather and campsites.”

“Then perhaps I am lying excellently now.”

Eleanor narrowed her eyes. “Is this about the proposal?”

Nathaniel stopped.

Her eyes widened.

His did too.

“You were not supposed to ask that.”

“I knew it.”

“You guessed.”

“You just confirmed it.”

Nathaniel closed his eyes. “I have led men through floods with less difficulty.”

Eleanor smiled. “When?”

“I am not telling you.”