“I’m sure they expect you.”
She turned her head just enough that he could see her profile—her determined brow and the stubborn set to her mouth. She was just as beautiful as ever. And just as aggravating. “What does that mean?”
He shrugged, but she didn’t see it, having already turned her head forward, so he leaned close to her ear. “That they indulged your stubbornness and allowed you to attempt to get to your friend’s house, knowing full well that you would not make it and would be back home shortly.”
“I have an idea.” She feigned excitement, smiling brightly before it vanished just as swiftly as it came. “Why don’t we ride back in silence?”
Bitterness bubbled up inside of him. “Yes. I would hate for you to have to converse with a humble merchant.”
She turned her head just enough for him to make out her furrowed brow. “Excuse me?”
“I said,” he began, raising his voice, “I would hate for you to have to converse with a mere merchant.”
She winced, then rolled her eyes. “Yes, I heard you. I just cannot believe that you said it.”
“Me? You are the one who said it.”
“That is not what I meant by my remark.”
“Then what did you mean?”
She shook her head. “That you do not deserve the title of gentleman because of your . . .” She quickly looked him up and down. “Peculiar personality.”
“Peculiar?” His mood melted slightly. He had apparently taken her remark incorrectly, which dispelled a bit of the tension on his end.
“Yes. I fear I cannot come up with a better word in such a short time.”
“I believe you mean to say, dynamic and interesting.”
She chuckled and shook her head before turning ahead. “No. Those are definitely not the words I would choose.”
They continued on in a more peaceful silence, and it only took a minute or two before Owen soon saw Stonehill come into view over a slight curve of the drive.
“There it is,” he said with a smile.
Owen had always loved coming to Stonehill. He loved his mother and father dearly, but they had never had other children besides himself. Whenever he had visited the Thompsons he had always indulged in their antics wholeheartedly. The entire lot was a spectacle and he was often found in the middle of one of their shenanigans. But it had been years since he had seen them all, and he reallywaslooking forward to spending Christmas with them. Hence his venturing through a snowstorm to get there and being willing to go a day without his trunks until the inn could safely have them sent.
Another thought occurred to him. “Are all of your siblings at home?”
Leah lifted her shoulders higher about her neck. “Yes. I was the only one that was to be gone, but it appears that will not be happening.”
“All the better. I would have missed you.” He didn’t hold back the grin that spread across his face. Of all the Thompson children, he and Leah had always been the most at odds. But he had always found great enjoyment in heckling her.
Leah didn’t respond, not a chuckle or word—just the same hunched figure as she tried to get warm. Leah eventually began to adjust herself in the saddle, and Owen instinctively wrapped a hand about her waist to keep her from falling. His hand stiffened once he realized what he had done, but to remove his hand now would only be more awkward than leaving it where it was—which happened to be gently cradling Leah’s waist.
She stiffened slightly under his touch and he suddenly feared for the safety of his hand. What could he do to distract her?Andhimself. And why did her waist feel so appealing under his touch? Why had instinct caused him to act so protectively? She likely would have been fine, but he had acted without much thought. He decided moving the subject along would be the best way to distract her. “How are all your siblings?” He had to almost yell to be heard over the wind.
Leah remained quiet for a moment before shrugging and clearing her throat. “The same, I suppose. Jonas needs a haircut, Rose was mad at Miranda for losing her watercolors, Cecily was lamenting not being able to join me, and Graham has not been seen all day.”
“Likely reading in some corner.”
Leah’s cheek moved as she smiled ahead of him. “Precisely.”
Then, to his great surprise, Leah leaned back until she was settled against his chest.
He swallowed. “Well, it sounds like things are just the same as ever. Splendid.”
“And how about you?”
