Hamdon rose from his seat. “I believe it is time I get my wife to her bed.”
Alan glanced at his dozing sister. “That probably would be best.”
Emma protested at first, but it took very little convincing before she consented to be helped upstairs.
Just when Alan was about to retake his seat, Mrs. Lenning rose. “I, too, need to turn in for the night. It has been a lovely Christmas. Thank you, Lord Gladsby, for hosting us.”
“You are more than welcome. I have enjoyed the company.”
He thought her husband might stay behind, but the moment she approached the door, he offered his well wishes for a good night’s sleep and departed.
When Alan had originally taken his seat, his only intention had been to leave the more comfortable pieces of furniture for the ladies. Now, however, he wondered if somewhere in the back of his mind he’d chosen it in order to be directly across from Grace.
The light played across her face, illuminating her high cheekbones that ran parallel with the line of her jaw. She was far too alluring in the dim lighting.
Thankfully, they were not alone. Miss Prudence still played songs at the piano, but something had changed in the air about them. Maybe it was the shift in music from light and festive to soft and soothing, even a little romantic.
Interesting that she’d chosen this piece at the very moment the others had quit the room. It was rather serendipitous. Or had the shift been purposeful? He glanced over at the young woman, but she was caught up in the Irish ballad, her talent much improved with this particular piece.
“Did you enjoy the day?” He finally asked Grace.
Her smile was soft, but there was a pinch about her eyes that showed strain. Was she tired as well?
“I did, thank you.” Several seconds passed with only the soft music filling the silence, then she said, “Did you enjoy it?”
“I—”
“I only ask because you seemed distressed at dinner. Was there something that upset you? Did I upset you?” Her mouth snapped shut as if she’d not meant to ask the last question.
He shook his head. “Why would you upset me?”
She fidgeted with the lace cuff of her dress. “It is only… that is… one moment you peered at me intently while I ate my pudding, the next you were frowning. I thought maybe my reaction upset you or perhaps you expected more thanks. It was a truly marvelous plum pudding.”
Gritting his teeth, he tried to find the right words. Hehadwatched her savor her pudding. Or more precisely, he’d watched her silver fork touch her perfectly pink lips and for the first time in his entire life, he’d become jealous of the silverware. She’d closed her eyes like she’d tasted manna from heaven and he sat in awe, relishing the way she enjoyed the small things in life. Then she’d caught him staring.
More accurately, she’d caught him desiring.
Heat crept up his neck as he berated himself for being a fool. And yet he couldn’t regret it. The memory of her face in that moment would stay with him forever.
“You find such happiness in the little moments,” he finally said. “I wish I could find the same joy.”
She tipped her head to the side in that adorable way he’d come to love. “You can.”
He shook his head. “Not like you.”
“Why not?”
Miss Prudence was still at the piano, so he could not speak openly about last evening’s discussion. Hopefully Grace would understand.
“Having seen a certain side of life, it’s difficult to lay claim to happiness.”
Her lips pulled to one side as her eyes narrowed in concentration. “Was the plum pudding distasteful to you?”
What an odd way to respond. He leaned forward, clasped his hands, and rested his elbows on his knees. “No, I found it as flavorful as I remembered.”
“Then you don’t lack joy, you simply lack gratitude.”
He sat back, surprised by the swift correction. Grace had always been gentle with her suggestions. Why so frank now?
