The others turned to look. She had not meant to make a spectacle of herself.
She took a deep breath, eyed a likely target, and reached in her hand. She yanked it back and reflexively stuck index finger and thumb into her mouth, raisin and all. The hot raisin sizzled on her tongue. For a moment she left the smarting fingertip in her mouth. Noticing the others regarding her in curiosity orconcern, Sarah pulled it out and said, “Who’s next? Oh ... the fire is going out.”
The brandy flames faded, and the game ended in a matter of moments.
Perhaps she ought to have waited a few seconds longer.
Pausing to pick up her glass of punch, Sarah smiled at no one in particular, and while the other players compared how many raisins each had eaten, Sarah slipped away.
Going belowstairs, she passed through the kitchen, where Mrs. Besley and Lowen were sitting down to a well-deserved late supper.
“Need something, Miss Sarah?” Mrs. Besley made to rise, wincing as she put weight on her gouty foot.
Sarah raised a palm. “Don’t get up. Just going into the workroom for something.”
She retreated into her private haven, retrieved a pitcher of water from the cold larder, and stuck her finger into it.
Proud,foolish creature...
Footsteps scraped over the threshold, and she looked up in chagrin to see Callum Henshall.
“Burned yourself, didn’t ye, lass?”
She sighed. “Yes. I was hoping no one noticed.”
“I notice everything about ye.”
Pleasure at his words competed with embarrassment. “I’m all right. Just feeling foolish.”
“What made ye try it?”
“I used to be good at it. Who do you think taught Georgiana? But it’s been too many years. I lost my nerve for a second, and the hesitation cost me.”
“Let me see.”
“It’s nothing.”
He extended his palm.
“Oh, very well.”
She placed her hand in his. He held it up and frowned at the red patch of skin at the tip of her forefinger.
“Perhaps Mrs. Besley has some liniment?”
Sarah shrugged. “Custom says to hold a minor burn near a fire, but I don’t think I could stand that.”
He shook his head. “Old wives’ tale. A cold compress is all you need. Well, that and...”
“And what?”
He pursed his lips, and gently blew cool air over her hot finger.Ahh...
“Is that helping?”
Sarah’s pulse raced. “Helping ... what?”
He held her gaze and slowly pressed a feather-soft kiss to her throbbing finger.
