Toby could see where the conversation was leading. Tate was growing angry and she did not want a blood bath on her hands. Moving the kitten aside, she patted the bed next to her.
“Sit down,” she commanded softly. “Please.”
He paused a moment before acquiescing to her wishes. He sat very close to her as she lay propped up on an elbow, his storm cloud eyes reflecting the soft firelight. Toby smiled up at him, putting her hand on his thigh.
“You need not worry about Stephen,” she said quietly. “He knows that you and I are betrothed. He understands that there is no chance for him. I asked him if he wanted the cat returned, but he said that it was a gift. There is no harm in keeping a kitten given to me by a man you have clearly triumphed over. ’Twould be right for you to be a gracious winner and allow me to keep it.”
He just stared at her. Then, he gave her a lopsided smile and picked up the hand on his thigh, kissing it. “Well put,” he said, somewhat reluctantly. “I knew that Stephen would assert himself sooner or later. I suppose it is best if the rejection comes from you and not me.”
She regarded him closely, seeing something of disquiet on his brow. “You are concerned for him,” she ventured.
He shrugged, lowering his gaze. “I have known Stephen for many years and consider him a friend,” he toyed with her hand. “I realize that I was somewhat cold to him the other day when I found him up here with you, but I wanted him to understand that you are off limits.”
“Perhaps you should have simply told him.”
He nodded reluctantly. “Perhaps,” he said softly. “I was hoping he would understand without a word spoken. Perhaps I just did not want to verbalize it. A woman has never come between us before.”
“One still hasn’t.”
He cast her a sidelong glance, his grin broadening. “I hope not. I should regret it.”
“Then perhaps you should speak to him as a friend and not a rival. A few words might ease whatever disappointment or animosity he is feeling.”
He nodded slowly. “Wise words. I suppose I should have handled this situation differently from the beginning but it is something I have never experienced before.”
She smiled at him. “I am glad.”
“For what?”
“That you have never experienced a situation like this before.”
He laughed softly, kissing her fingers. They fell silent a moment and he began toying with her digits, inspecting her lovely hand. She had the prettiest hands. Toby watched him as he rubbed the soft skin of her palm, a pensive expression on his face. She knew he was still thinking about Stephen and she, too, hoped no permanent damage would result from them both wanting to court the same woman.
“He says that you are a fortunate man, you know,” she said softly.
“Who?”
“Stephen.”
He kissed her hand again. “I agree completely.” He wanted to shift the subject off of Stephen. “I regret not having seen you most of the day. I missed you a great deal.”
She felt warmed, giddy, by his declaration. “You did? I missed you also. But I kept busy.”
“Is that so?” he shifted so that his arms were braced on either side of her slender body. “What did you do all day?”
“Went through the trunks you brought from Forestburn.”
“And?”
“And I am missing most of my winter clothing. No cloaks or warm things. With this weather, I am afraid that I shall freeze.”
He nodded in understanding. “I apologize. I grabbed what I could find.”
She reached up and touched his cheek. “I know that,” she said. “I did not mean to criticize. It simply means that I must obtain some winter fabric very soon.”
“Of course,” he nodded. “We can go tomorrow.”
“Go where?”
