purposely enigmatically. “There’s time enough to worry about that. But for now,” he said, confiscating her fork in order to lift a morsel of lemon cake to her reddened lips, “you still need to finish your cake.”
Surprise registered in her gaze, but just when he thought she would refuse him, she opened her mouth and accepted the bite. He loved watching her savor it, as though it were the finest dessert ever to pass her lips. She showed more pleasure in this small thing than some of the women he knew showed in gifts of jewels.
When she finished, she looked down at the still half-full plate and sighed. “This was amazing, but I can’t possibly eat even one more crumb.”
“I think it counts for crossing off the item from your list. After all, if you partook in half of three small slices, that equals one regular slice.”
Her laugh was as light as goose down. “Yes, I do believe you are right.”
“And was it everything you hoped it would be?”
Her smile softened as she nodded, her eyes never leaving his. “Much more so. Thank you, Ash. You turned quite an ordinary event into something rather extraordinary.”
In that moment, he wanted to go to Jeffries and demand that he give his bride cake every night. Anyone who appreciated the small pleasures in life this well deserved to indulge.
Nodding, he said, “You are most welcome. I don’t think I have enjoyed cake or company quite so well in my life.”
“My feelings exactly. Alas, I must return home. My mother will begin to worry that I fell in the creek again,” she said with a wink.
“Those creeks do tend to sneak up on a person,” he said with a grin. “Can I at least walk you back to the edge of the forest?” The idea of having her leave so soon was more disappointing than he would have imagined. He stood and held out his hand to her.
She readily accepted his assistance, slipping her gloved hand into his and allowing him to lift her to her feet. “No, I think not. I would hate to try to explain your presence should someone come upon us.”
It was sound reasoning, unfortunately. “Very well. Thank you for joining me this afternoon. I do so love abetting a bit of debauchery.” He gave a teasing wiggle of his eyebrows, wanting to see her laugh one more time.
He was not disappointed. She wrinkled her nose and half laughed, half groaned. “I am involved in no such thing! Debauchery, indeed.”
“Well, what would you call the willful abandonment of propriety?” he challenged, sending her his most innocent look.
Swatting at his arm, she said, “Merely sidestepping the rules for a moment or two.” She lifted her chin, practically daring him to contradict her.
Sweeping his most magnificent bow, he said, “Then who am I to disagree?” Straightening, he smiled with genuine affection this time. “Good day to you, my friend. I do look forward to seeing you again soon.”
After a brief curtsey and cheeky grin, she turned and made her way back down the path toward her father’s property. He watched her go, loving the way her sunny yellow gown swished back and forth as she walked, giving subtle glimpses of her figure.
“Pru,” he called impulsively, causing her to stop and look over her shoulder in question. “You look very well in yellow. You should wear it more often.”
Her grin was as bright as the sun itself, and he reveled in the knowledge that he had elicited it.
He set his hands to his hips and exhaled as she carried on her way. Tomorrow night, she planned to dance barefoot beneath the full moon. Of course, everyone knew that a proper dance required two people. Lucky for her, he knew of a volunteer who was more than happy to join in.
***
“W hat are you woolgathering about, Prudence?” Mama scowled at her across the pile of new fabric Mrs. Hedgepeth had brought by the house for their approval. “Can’t you see we have much to do today?”
Blinking, Prudence glanced away from the wet, dreary landscape beyond the
Surprise registered in her gaze, but just when he thought she would refuse him, she opened her mouth and accepted the bite. He loved watching her savor it, as though it were the finest dessert ever to pass her lips. She showed more pleasure in this small thing than some of the women he knew showed in gifts of jewels.
When she finished, she looked down at the still half-full plate and sighed. “This was amazing, but I can’t possibly eat even one more crumb.”
“I think it counts for crossing off the item from your list. After all, if you partook in half of three small slices, that equals one regular slice.”
Her laugh was as light as goose down. “Yes, I do believe you are right.”
“And was it everything you hoped it would be?”
Her smile softened as she nodded, her eyes never leaving his. “Much more so. Thank you, Ash. You turned quite an ordinary event into something rather extraordinary.”
In that moment, he wanted to go to Jeffries and demand that he give his bride cake every night. Anyone who appreciated the small pleasures in life this well deserved to indulge.
Nodding, he said, “You are most welcome. I don’t think I have enjoyed cake or company quite so well in my life.”
“My feelings exactly. Alas, I must return home. My mother will begin to worry that I fell in the creek again,” she said with a wink.
“Those creeks do tend to sneak up on a person,” he said with a grin. “Can I at least walk you back to the edge of the forest?” The idea of having her leave so soon was more disappointing than he would have imagined. He stood and held out his hand to her.
She readily accepted his assistance, slipping her gloved hand into his and allowing him to lift her to her feet. “No, I think not. I would hate to try to explain your presence should someone come upon us.”
It was sound reasoning, unfortunately. “Very well. Thank you for joining me this afternoon. I do so love abetting a bit of debauchery.” He gave a teasing wiggle of his eyebrows, wanting to see her laugh one more time.
He was not disappointed. She wrinkled her nose and half laughed, half groaned. “I am involved in no such thing! Debauchery, indeed.”
“Well, what would you call the willful abandonment of propriety?” he challenged, sending her his most innocent look.
Swatting at his arm, she said, “Merely sidestepping the rules for a moment or two.” She lifted her chin, practically daring him to contradict her.
Sweeping his most magnificent bow, he said, “Then who am I to disagree?” Straightening, he smiled with genuine affection this time. “Good day to you, my friend. I do look forward to seeing you again soon.”
After a brief curtsey and cheeky grin, she turned and made her way back down the path toward her father’s property. He watched her go, loving the way her sunny yellow gown swished back and forth as she walked, giving subtle glimpses of her figure.
“Pru,” he called impulsively, causing her to stop and look over her shoulder in question. “You look very well in yellow. You should wear it more often.”
Her grin was as bright as the sun itself, and he reveled in the knowledge that he had elicited it.
He set his hands to his hips and exhaled as she carried on her way. Tomorrow night, she planned to dance barefoot beneath the full moon. Of course, everyone knew that a proper dance required two people. Lucky for her, he knew of a volunteer who was more than happy to join in.
***
“W hat are you woolgathering about, Prudence?” Mama scowled at her across the pile of new fabric Mrs. Hedgepeth had brought by the house for their approval. “Can’t you see we have much to do today?”
Blinking, Prudence glanced away from the wet, dreary landscape beyond the
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