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When she mentioned to Father how she loved the rain, he’d huffed about how odd she was. The Otterhams, however, thought such a declaration had been wonderful.

What would August do?

Knowing she was flirting with fire, she faced him once again. He would either think her more odd or more appealing. That was all there was to it.

“I know ’tisn’t a popular opinion,” she began, “but I quite enjoy the rain. At times I enjoy it more than the sunshine. At any rate, if ye live on the Mount, ’tis far better to learn to love the rain than to try to fight against it.”

To her relief, his expression softened, and the ends of his mouth tipped upward. “That be sound logic, Miss May.”

Livvy’s heart warmed.

Father believed that she sabotaged any friendship she might have had on the Mount by revealing her oddities to others. But Livvy liked to think of it as giving people a proper warning. If she revealed her true nature—which she didn’t think was all that odd in reality, even if Father did—and people still wished to be around her, then she knew she’d met a true friend.

So far, only Mr. and Mrs. Otterham had passed her test. And now, it would appear August had, as well.

“Tell me, Miss May,” he continued, “do ye e’er tire o’ the rain? Or…or livin’ on the Mount in general?”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“...and miserable it is to be to others cause of misery...”

Paradise Lost, John Milton

Livvy peered up at August, half-expecting him to drop his gaze again. But this time, his brown eyes focused so intently on her, she couldn’t help but think that her answer might mean a great deal to him, though she had no idea why.

For a fleeting moment, she wondered if perhaps she ought to deliver the answer she assumed he wanted, but then, why would she only now start being someone she wasn’t?

“No,” she replied simply. “I love the rain. It be me second favorite weather. And as for livin’ on the Mount…” She peered around him, catching sight of the grey waves of the sea just beyond the thick oak trees and luscious, green grass, all cloaked in shimmering rain. “I could ne’er grow tired o’ livin’ ’ere. It be simply the most magical o’ places. Havin’ our lives dictated by the tide. Bein’ separated from the rest o’ the world. ’Tain’t no place better, as far as I be concerned.”

A flash of disbelief flickered in and out of his eyes as he focused more intently on her. “So ye ’ave no desire at all to see what else be out there?”

Livvy’s brows pulled together. Why was he pressing this issue? He sounded like…

She stiffened. He sounded like Father. Had they spoken to each other? Talked about her desire to remain and Father’s desire to have her leave?

No, she was being ridiculous. Father avoided conversations about Livvy at all costs. He would never wish to speak about his odd daughter for fear of becoming even more embarrassed by her. So why was August asking her such questions?

“Tell me, sir,” she began, deciding to shift the focus on him, “’ow did ye feel livin’ off the Mount? Were ye satisfied livin’ elsewhere?”

He looked at her for a moment, his brow twitching as if he battled an internal storm within him. After another moment, his features softened again, and a smile curved his lip. “No, Miss May. ’Twasn’t fulfillin’ in the slightest. The only thing I did for nearly five years was count down the days ’til I could return to the Mount.”

Hearing his words, Livvy nearly leapt with joy, though she allowed only her heart to do so. “It do appear that we be in agreement, then.”

His eyes shone brightly just as they’d done the night before. “Indeed.”

Their gazes met. No longer did he try to look away. “Now, did I ’ear ye say that rain be your second favorite weather?”

“Yes,” she replied warily.

“I thought as much. So not only do ye ’ave lists o’ your favorite books, but ye also ’ave lists o’ your favorite weather?”

She nodded, holding her breath. She and her blasted list-making. Although, he hardly seemed put-off by the habit.

“That do make me wonder what your first favorite weather be.” He gave her a sidelong glance, as if to say, “Go on. Ye know ye wish to tell me.”

Honestly, with that alluring smile, Livvy would tell him anything. Just before she’d melt away to join the puddles of rain beneath them.

Instead of responding, however, she merely shrugged with a smile.