“Not everything.”
“Really? Name one thing you do not find enjoyable.”
She opened her mouth, then shut it. Her nose screwed up in the most adorable way and her brow furrowed.
He congratulated himself. “See. You cannot.”
She smiled and shook her head. “No. I simply am not sure I wish to share it with you. What if you find me odd or ridiculous?”
“Now you have me intrigued. Tell me, is it beets? Do you have a loathing for those utterly disgusting vegetables?”
“No.” She giggled.
“No? If you can find something to like in beets, then you must truly be a saint.”
“I do not have a particular affinity for the vegetable, but there are much worse things in life.”
“Like what?”
She let out a sigh. “People… all day, every day.”
He chuckled, but she did not join him. He stopped and turned to her. Her chin was tucked and her lips pursed. She glanced up, then returned her focus to the ground. Poor woman looked like a whipped puppy. What was so bad about having social limits?
He leaned to the side, trying to catch her gaze. “You forget. I already know how much you enjoy your daily solitude.”
She peeked up at him. “I know, but Mother insists it’s quite rude that I’m always running off to be by myself. It’s exhausting to be constantly called upon to fill every waking hour with conversation for someone else’s entertainment.”
“I quite agree.”
She frowned. “You do not find it odd?”
“I do not think it strange at all. If so, then I am just as peculiar, for I love hours of quiet repose.”
Her brown eyes lit up with appreciation.
“How do you enjoy spending your quiet time?” Gently he gathered her fingers and returned them to his arm right where he liked them.
They walked slowly. Books seemed the consensus when one needed to regroup, and it did not surprise him that Grace also found playing her harp and drawing worthwhile pursuits. He tended to enjoy tallying his ledgers and whittling small toys for his nephew.
The rest of the group stopped at a few holly bushes and began cutting branches. Alan led Grace in their direction, but her foot must have caught on something, for she stumbled. He kept a tight grip on her arm, steadying her so she would not fall.
She giggled. “My thanks. I’m grateful not to be starting out this adventure with a face full of snow.”
He patted her hand, glad he could be the strong arm for her to rely on. “You are quite welcome. I am happy to provide you with a strong ar—”
With his next step, he slipped. The momentum of his fall pulled her down with him. Instinctively, he curled his arm around Grace, pulling her in front of him. She landed with a thud on his chest. Between the cold, hard ground and her impact, it took him several moments before he could draw breath.
“Are you alright?” she said, eyes wide as she stared down at him.
“Fine,” he wheezed.
She pushed off of his chest and he could finally inhale deeply. Her hand came up to brush a curl away from his face. “Are you sure? You look quite pale.”
The tender caress did nothing to help steady his breathing. His eyes raked over her. Most of her clothes were powdered with the fresh snow, but she appeared otherwise unharmed.
Steady footsteps sounded as Miss Prudence bounded over, but Grace held up a hand. “It’s slick, Pru. You must be very careful. Here, help me get Lord Gladsby up.”
So much for being the strong gentleman who saved the fair maiden. Grace looped one arm under his neck and helped himrise into a sitting position. He had an impish urge to act far more injured if only to get such personalized help from the little snow fairy next to him, but when Miss Prudence took hold of his hand to pull him to his feet, the spell was broken.
