He stared at Ailis. “Perhaps I do.”
“I’m sure you don’t,” she said, and took a gulp of the steaming cup. “Ooh, too hot.” She set it down and blew on it to cool it.
“Perhaps I have no idea what I like,” he murmured, “and this is what gives rise to gossip.”
Ailis cast him a challenging look. “And whose fault is that?”
Mrs. Fitch coughed, no doubt to stifle a chuckle.
His staff liked Ailis. She spoke to him as no one else dared. He allowed it because she was always honest, even if some of her comments irritated him.
She suddenly gasped and shot to her feet. “Look! The snow has stopped.”
Jonas rose along with her and went to the window to peer out. Disappointment overtook him when he saw that she wasright. The sky remained overcast and gloomy, but appeared to be turning a lighter shade of gray.
How long before the cloud cover disappeared altogether and the sun came out?
Ailis looked relieved. That third kiss had scared her.
To be precise, her response to the kiss had frightened her because she had liked it too much.
How was he to fix this?
“Will you permit one of your grooms to escort me home, Your Grace?”
The idea did not please him, but he gave a curt nod. “Tomorrow, assuming the weather holds up and depending upon the condition of the roads. I won’t risk my horses injuring their legs on an icy patch. Nor will I allow you to ride your mare even if the roads are clear. You cannot possibly manage it while nursing a dislocated shoulder. I’ll take you in my carriage. Again, not before tomorrow and weather permitting.”
He had barely gotten out the words when the sky darkened again and the snowfall resumed.
Ailis groaned. “Drat.”
He silently cheered. “Seems we were premature in making plans to get you home.”
She glanced out the window again. “In all my years, I have never seen such a snowfall. Some of those drifts must be above my waist.”
“Probably higher. Come, Temple. Finish your cocoa and we’ll make a list of all you’ll need for your Christmas festivities.”
“I hope your mother and her party will make it to Langford Hall safely. Do you think she is already on her way?”
“Yes, knowing how determined she can be. I’m sure she gathered her party and took off for Langford Hall as soon as she sent her letter, not caring that my response would be to tell her not to come out here.”
Ailis grinned.
“However, she is also a sensible woman and will not put herself in danger by riding on perilous roads. She’ll find a comfortable inn to wait out the storm with her party of friends. My brother will not be so cautious.”
“What do you mean?”
“I would not be surprised if he shows up here before any of the others do.”
Her eyes widened. “Then he cannot find me here. What will he think?”
“My staff and I will set him straight about you.”
“What if he does not believe any of you? Forgive me, Mrs. Fitch,” she said, turning to the housekeeper. “I do not mean to cast aspersions on your character, or that of anyone on the staff. But is it not likely he will believe the worst about me and think His Grace ordered all of you to lie to him?”
“No,” Jonas replied, even though the question was addressed to Mrs. Fitch. “My brother will believe what we tell him because he knows I will never lie to him.”
“Even about something that appears as bad as this?”
