Yet with some sixth sense, Adam must have felt her eyes upon him. As soon as he had positioned the box of salves, his gaze met with hers.
Esme looked away, blushing.
Ye Gods, she had not anticipated this pull of attraction toward a man who was different in every way to Crispin.
Callum gave the signal, and the carriage moved off to a chorus of goodbyes. Soon Esme, Jonah and Adam stood in an empty courtyard. Jonah turned to go inside, complaining of the cold.
Esme directed a smile toward Adam. “Would you like me to show you around?”
Adam looked discomfited. “There is no need, milady. Callum already showed me all I need to know.”
Before Esme could demure, the tall man melted away in the direction of the barns. Esme’s lips puckered with disappointment and the cat shifted in her arms.
“Let us go in,” she said.
I am already talking to a cat.
How would she fare after several days of isolation?
Feeling dejected, she returned to the hall, mildly cheered by the soothing scents of lavender and woodsmoke. Jonah was seated at the trestle table, spreading a heel of freshly baked bread with soft cheese. An expression of irritation crossed his fine features when he beheld Esme.
“You must not look so fretful, Jonah. I do not bite.” She deliberately chose the furthest chair from her brother, firmly placing Felicity on the next chair along.
He chewed and swallowed before he answered. “I do not fear your teeth, sister. You have not bitten me since you were a child in the cradle.”
She met his sarcastic smile with one of her own. “Then why look so peevish?”
He scowled in reply. “What consequence is it to you?”
“I cannot guess,” she said airily as she indiscriminately filled a trencher with food. “Mayhap I care about your happiness. Have you ever considered that?”
“Nay, I cannot say I have.” He got up abruptly and reached for his stick.
“Jonah.” Despite her conviction that she had said naught amiss, she was contrite. “Please do not go. If we are to reside here together, we should at least be able to make polite conversation.”
“You forget, sister, this situation was not of my choosing.” He hobbled from the table.
“Can we not make the best of it?” she tried again.
He turned to face her. “That is precisely what I am doing. I shall be in the solar for the rest of the day. Pray, do not disturb me.”
Esme sighed as she watched him depart. Jonah’s mood was even sourer than usual. Perchance she should give him the benefit of the doubt and put it down to pain? Either way, it would not make for cheerful living.
“’Tis just you and me, Felicity,” Esme said to the cat.
Felicity purred and butted her head against Esme’s palm.
Whoever thought I would be grateful for the company of a cat?
Chapter Five
The horse hehad chosen from the stables was surefooted and fleet. Before he fully realized what he was planning, Adam found himself cantering up the overgrown cart track which had once led to Clara’s farm.
He had not intended to travel this far, but an urge to flee had come upon him when his eyes met with those of Lady Esme over the fully laden luggage cart.
There had been danger in the look that passed between them.
Danger rooted in the first flicker of desire, that he must extinguish before it had chance to take hold.
