“I am waiting for Rose. She forgot her cloak.”
“Ah. I see. Shall I wait with you?”
She glanced up at the doorway on the off-chance Rose hid mistletoe and had planned this very thing. Forgot her cloakindeed. But, much to Leah’s great relief, there was nothing.
She looked anywhere but at Owen’s face. Perhaps if she didn’t see his lips she wouldn’t keep thinking of them. “If you would like to wait, you are more than welcome. Rose should be back any moment.” She smiled. “I am sure she is in a great rush so as not to miss anything.”
“Yes, she certainly does not like to miss out.” They both chuckled, looking about the small hall during the awkward silence that ensued. “I’m surprised you are still here. Were you not going to leave for your friend’s when possible?”
Leah shrugged, leaning back against the wall. “I doubt I shall leave now. It is Christmas in two days and I do not want to spend it away from my family. Besides, we invited the Cluetts for Christmas dinner. So I will get to see Amelia then.”
“Do the Cluetts have any sons?”
Her eyes found his. “Yes, two. Though they are only seventeen and fourteen. But Graham gets on with them well.”
“Ah, yes. Very good.” He shifted his feet.
She tilted her head. “Why?”
“Oh, no reason.” He straightened, not meeting her eye. “It’s just . . . I had thought you would be married by now.” The wind made the door creak and Owen turned to inspect it, pushing on the handle to be sure it was shut. But it almost seemed to Leah that he was attempting to distract himself. His fascination with the squeaky door was . . . intriguing.
“I am notsoold am I? I do not think I shall resort to seventeen year olds just yet.”
He choked on a laugh, running his hand up into his hair. “No, I should hope not. I do not believe your father would be pleased with your choice.”
“What about you? No young lady has caught your eye?”
“My eye perhaps, but not my heart.”
The hall seemed to grow smaller and every sound became louder. This conversation was more intimate than anything they had discussed before, and it was not helping the mistletoe thoughts remain where they should be. Hidden for eternity.
“You have been busy,” she said cooly, looking down to the patterned rug that lined the hall.
He cleared his throat. “Quite. And I want to be sure I can support a family. I hope to have that luxury soon, but that does not mean a young woman shall suddenly sprout up when the time comes.”
Leah looked up and couldn’t help but smile at the image he created or the slight stiffness in Owen’s movements. He was feeling vulnerable. “I do not mean to laugh at you, but your words painted a rather vivid picture.”
“I do seem to have a way with words, don’t I? Of the humanandanimal sort.”
She laughed again, leaning her head back as she did so. “I will never see a donkey again without thinking of you.”
Owen leaned his shoulder against the door, smiling at her. “I guess it was worth it then.”
Oh dear. Were theyflirting? Was Owen flirting with her? And even more unnerving—was she flirting withhim?
“I am sorry that took so long.” Rose ran down the hall, catching her breath. “But I forgot I had left my cloak by the scullery.”
“The scullery? Why was it there?” Leah fiddled with her hood. Anything to distract herself from the conversation she and Owen had just shared.
“You know how hungry I get after playing outside. Well, yesterday after tobogganing I went straight to the kitchen to see if Mrs. Bowles had the chocolate ready, and when she told me it wasn’t, I may have had a cake or two. And it’s so blasted hot in that kitchen when they are all cooking, that I took my cloak off and then ran off and forgot all about it.”
Owen laughed behind his hand as he stared at Rose, no doubt finding great amusement in her cursing.
“Rose, you should not curse. It is not ladylike.”
“But you do it.” She stuck a hand on her hip and Leah felt like she was staring at a younger version of herself. Heaven help her.
“Never mind that. It is growing warmer in here by the moment and I should like to get outside.”
