“I will let her know.”
Orion glanced away reminding her much of a bashful child. Not that she had experience with such, but one of the girls that she used to watch often shied away from others in a similar manner.
Then she remembered what she had. “I brought biscuits!” Nina reached over and picked up the plate. “I hope you like them.”
“I am certain that I will,” he promised. “I did not stop to take tea with my family because I wished to come straight here, and I am famished.”
It warmed her that Orion would not only bring her a basket from The Hourglass, but that he skipped having tea with his family for her.
Orion bit into a biscuit and moaned. “These are delicious.”
She truly hoped he meant his words and was not just being kind.
She spied him out of the corner of her eyes as he devoured three biscuits while she went through the items in the basket. It was a companionable silence and not at all uncomfortable.
“May I ask you a question?”
“Yes.” She set the basket aside.
“I do not mean this as an insult in any manner so do not take it as such.”
Nina frowned. Was something wrong with her person? She knew that her clothing wasn’t fashionable…or could it be her hair, since it was never styled, just brushed and let to go free.
“Why are you always barefoot?”
Nina bit her bottom lip and quickly hid her feet beneath her skirts. She’d forgotten that the etiquette books she had read warned to never allow a gentleman to see feet, ankles or legs as it was improper and in some cases could drive them to lust.
“Do not hide them from me. I am simply curious.”
“Shoes are not needed in the grove,” she answered simply. “I have always gone barefoot except when it is too cold to do so.”
“I feared that it was because you did not own a pair of boots or slippers.”
Nina chuckled. “I promise that I own a pair of slippers and a pair of half boots, and if it would make you feel better, I will wear them in your presence.”
“No, that is not necessary,” Orion quickly assured her and then frowned. “One pair of each?”
“Yes. How many pairs does a woman need when she has only two feet?”
This time he laughed, the deep laugh that she’d witnessed at the wedding celebration, encompassing his entire being, head thrown back. What she had said wasn’t humorous.
“My sister, mother, and every woman of my acquaintance would quite disagree. One must have riding boots, kid boots, slippers to match gowns,” he added.
“Well, as I do not go riding, or attend balls, or stroll the streets where shops are located, I find a simple shoe is all I need.” Nina didn’t wish to sound defensive, and she knew she wasn’t at all fashionable, but perhaps she should put more effort into being so.
Except, why should she? It was as she had said. She had no need for all the fripperies ladies of Society required.
“It was not a criticism.” Orion set the plate of biscuits aside and lifted her hand. “I was simply curious.” Then he smiled, it was soft and warm. “I like that you have no need to bedeck yourself in the latest fashions or bother with hats or shoes. I really like who you are Nina.”
She liked who she was as well, though she would never be accepted for who she was outside of the grove.
He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back.
Orion’s lips nearly scorched her, and warmth spread through her hand and up her arm causing a fluttering within her belly.
“I mean what I say. I do really like you, Nina.”
She stared into his warm brown eyes. “I like you too, Orion.”
