Page 80 of To Know Miss May

No regrets, indeed.

“Ophelia, Portia,” August said. His voice hardly sounded affected, though Livvy was certain the redness on his cheeks was fresh. “What ye be doin’ out in this weather?”

Ophelia pursed her lips before responding. “Mother told us ye’d be workin’ ’ere today. Thought we’d come visit to ’elp ye pass the time, though I see ye be gettin’ ’elp in that regard already.” Her eyes flashed to Livvy’s.

Livvy knew she needed to say something to the sisters, but anything she’d say would simply be used against her. Instead, she turned to August with an apologetic look. He would have to fend for himself now, as her presence would only make matters far worse.

But perhaps she could give him a slight boost before she left.

Giving a curtsy to the man, she smiled. “Thank ye for the lesson, Mr. May. I’ll ne’er forget it.”

His eyes turned to hers, and a slight smile shone in his eyes. “’Appy to ’elp any time, Miss May.”

After another shared look, Livvy turned to the sisters with a curtsy. The girls exchanged annoyed glances with one another, as if they were both quite perturbed to not be let in on the exchange she and August had just shared.

Despite her best efforts, Livvy allowed the knowledge to boost her pride, and she walked away with a smile, grateful she needn’t remain a moment longer with the women.

Poor August. He was sure to receive quite the scolding. But if anyone could talk sense into his sisters, it would be him. Livvy had to believe he could convince them to keep what they’d seen to themselves, if only for Mr. Cuff and Miss Pengelly’s sakes.

As she moved around to the front of the graveyard, Livvy reached down for her reticule, only to discover she no longer had it in her possession.

Concern rushed over her as she wondered where she’d misplaced it, then dread slithered into her heart.

August still held onto it.

Pressing her wet glove to her brow, she contemplated what to do next. Return to August that moment, or go to his house later to retrieve it?

She cringed. Both had the high probability of subjecting her to awkwardness, but perhaps things would be less uncomfortable if his parents and household weren’t involved, too.

With heavy steps, she turned around and returned to the graveyard, sheltered from view by the thick hedge. She couldn’t see the Moons either, and had it not been for their voices, she might have thought they had already departed.

“Ye be behavin’ disgracefully, August.”

“Abysmalic.”

Livvy recognized the sisters’ voices at once, especially Ophelia’s creation of another word.

Hesitating, she stopped just out of sight, a frown burrowing in her brow. August should not have to be subjected to such words—especially when he’d done absolutely nothing wrong.

She itched to step forward, to defend his goodness. But wouldn’t that merely prove to the girls that Livvy was in love with their brother? Wouldn’t they then be spurred on even more to share with the Mount all they had learned, effectively ending August’s ruse with Miss Pengelly?

She stewed in silent indignation. Perhaps it was better for her to send Sarah for her reticule later on. Either way, if only to no longer be forced to hear another word of criticism about the man she loved, she was determined to leave.

That is, until she heard her name.

She froze, leaning closer to the hedge as she listened to their voices above the pouring rain.

“Ye’ll be the laughin’stock o’ the Mount if ye continue bein’ seen ’round with that Miss May,” Ophelia was saying.

Livvy’s stomach churned. She knew the girls didn’t like her. They hadn’t ever since they were young, and Livvy would win every game the children on the Mount decided to play together. But their despisal of her had grown tenfold ever since she’d taken more to books than socializing. She was different from them. Impossible to understand, even, so they simply didn’t bother to try.

Though she’d grown used to the knowledge after all these years, Livvy’s heart still ached because of it.

“I don’t know what ye be talkin’ ’bout, Ophelia,” August said, his tone weary. “We were just talkin’. That’s all I e’er do with Miss May.”

“Really?” Portia challenged. “Just talkin’? ’Cause I be fairly certain I just saw ye caressin’ that girl’s face.”

August didn’t respond. So he wasn’t denying it, then? Livvy’s heart soared at the thought.