She sat back slightly as a servant took her bowl away, still full of the soup. “And can you support a family with this business of yours?”
His cheeks flushed and he sat up straighter, his smile disappearing in a flash. “Well, yes, assuming the young lady does not expect a mansion such as Stonehill or extravagant gifts.”
Oh dear. Hopefully he did not think she meant anything by her remark. It had been an offhanded thought, but when she put it in light of both of their circumstances, it could sound a bit forward. Luckily, she was saved from speaking by the next dish being served. She stared at the aspic and was more convinced than ever that Owendidin fact plan this menu. This particular variety of aspic appeared to be ham, egg and peas all surrounded by quivering gelatin.
When he looked at their plates and caught her disgusted face, he shook his head, wagging his finger at her. “No. I did not plan this. You cannot blame this on me.”
“Of course not. You do not hold such sway in this house.” She could not go the entirety of the meal without eating anything, so she carefully lifted her fork and knife, cutting off the smallest sliver of food. If the bite was small enough, she might not taste it.
As the gelatinous meat slid into her mouth, a sudden idea sprouted in her mind. She looked at Owen from the corner of her eye.
“I have the play ready if we would like to put it on tonight.” She spoke around the meat tucked into the corner of her cheek, swallowing it down just as Owen turned to her.
He seemed excited about the idea, his lips smiling. If only he knew what she had planned for him. “That sounds like a perfect activity for the evening. Does it require study first?”
“No, I rather think it is better to feel the emotions in time while reading it. It’s more . . . genuine.”
He scrunched his brow, giving a nod. “Very well. I look forward to it.”
As did she.
Chapter 9
Owen. Evening of the second day.
Owensatonthesettee between Graham and Jonas, reclining comfortably as the fire crackled away in the hearth. This was what he needed. Peace, comfort and good friends by his side.
“Did you do something to vex Leah?” Jonas pulled a small pillow from the edge of the settee, placing it behind his head and leaning back. One of the tassels tickled Owen’s cheek as it brushed past him.
“Me?” He was about to deny it, then quickly remembered the snowball. He gave Jonas a sideways glance before he rubbed his cheek where the golden tassel had assaulted him. “Why do you ask?”
Jonas shrugged as he settled into his pillow. “She seemed off this evening.”
“And that is surprising?”
Jonas chuckled. “Not when you are around.”
“Does she really still hold a grudge?” Owen sat up, watching Jonas as he kept his eyes blissfully closed.
“She seems to.”
Owen scoffed. “As if I’m the only one to blame. Her stubbornness can be infuriating at times. I only wish she would lighten up.” Then he thought back to their conversation at dinner, plucking the cuff link on the end of his shirt. “I don’t think she is upset. Not truly. We had a rather civil conversation at dinner tonight.”
“Forget I mentioned it.” Jonas swiped his hand in the air and put his foot up on his knee.
Leah strode into the room, holding stacks of paper which she began handing out to everyone. Owen let his eyes wash over her. She was distracting him, and he found it rather odd. But, they were both older now—in a place in their life where settling down was not only something one thought of passively, but actively. They were of an age when it would be expected of them to marry.
But not to each other.
He shook his head. This wasn’t the first time he had been distracted by her since his arrival. He had also found himself in a similar situation during their toboggan race, resulting in their untimely crash. She had assumed he did it on purpose, but he had simply been watching her as she glided down the hill, a smile on her face and her laughter bubbling out of her. And then, his sled had gravitated toward her and before he could stop it, they had collided. He had tried to call out, but it was too late.
Now, Leah stood in front of him, handing him his little papers to read from. And then his eyes landed on the title and he read the name on the part.
Donkey Number Two.
His mouth dropped open, and he looked up at her. He only caught her eye for a moment before she moved on, handing another stack of papers to Jonas and then Miranda, but he was certain her cheek had lifted in a mirthful smile.
Donkey NumberTwo? Was there even a Donkey NumberOne? His lines were quite simple at the very least. ‘Bleet.’ Or his personal favorite. ‘Meh.’ It only took thirty seconds to read all his lines for they simply repeated themselves with minor variations. She even threw in a dialogue description after two consecutive ‘hee-haw’s.Her exact words?With feeling.
