“Me?”
“Yes. Are you the same as ever?”
Owen looked out at the rolling, snowy landscape as he gave her question some thought. He was the same in a lot of ways—perhaps the most important ways—but he was not a young boy anymore. He had responsibilities and duties to perform and his schedule was much more tight. “I would say yes, other than only having five days before I must return to work.”
Leah kept her face forward, only giving a nod as her response.
The rest of the ride, which was not long at all, was spent in a more companionable silence as they tried to remain warm. And when they finally made it to Stonehill, Mrs. Thompson stood at the front window, smiling expectantly at their return.
Chapter 5
Owen. Evening of the first day.
OwensatacrossfromLeah after dinner, with all of the Thompson family gathered around the fire. The gentlemen each had a drink in their hands, and Owen swirled his in front of his face.
“It’s a good bottle, isn’t it?” Jonas asked him.
Owen nodded. “It is. But I was more admiring the glass itself than the contents. It’s a good cut.”
“It should be,” Jonas said with a chuckle. “It’s your glass.”
“Ah, that explains it then.” He smirked over at Jonas, taking a sip of the amber liquid.
Little Rose knelt down by the fire, holding out an iron and toasting herself an after-dinner treat. “Mother won’t let me use those glasses,” she complained, holding her pie plate in the flame as she crouched. “She says they are only for Papa and Jonas.”
“Well, perhaps I shall have to provide you with your own set, hm?”
She smiled, her face lighting up. “Truly? I would love that more than anything!”
“More than anything?” Leah scoffed, shaking her head. “Surely Mama would have bought you a set of glasses if you really wanted them. Have you ever thought to ask? Or are you only trying to appease Mr. Turner?”
“Leah,” Mrs. Thompson said, her tone low and warning. “Leave your sister be.”
“Yes, Leah,” Miranda interjected. “Are your stays too tight? You seem in a rather foul mood this evening.”
Leah’s face turned red in an instant as she cast a glare at her sister. “We have a guest, Miranda. Please try and keep such personal revelations to yourself.”
Cecily rolled her eyes, slouching back into her seat. “Oh, come now. It is only Owen. I hardly say he counts.”
“Only Owen?” He spoke up on his own behalf, his words coming out on a laugh. How good it felt to be included in their sibling bickering. It just went to assure himself that he was really and truly loved by them. For who else would be so blatant and rash other than family?
Cecily shrugged, giving him a triumphant smile with no remorse crossing her face.
He laughed, turning from Cecily to Leah. Her fingers were against her lips as she looked across the room, and she didn’t seem to notice him watching her. Owen followed her gaze over to Rose, who slowly turned her pie iron as she wore a downcast expression. Owen flicked his gaze back to Leah, half expecting her to start chewing her fingernails, as had always been her preferred habit before, but instead she only drummed her fingers across her lips. She stood from her seat, going over to her youngest sister, putting her arm about her, and speaking to her in hushed tones. Whatever she said was enough to lift Rose’s spirits and bring the smile back to Rose’s face.
Owen watched with some interest as it unfolded. Leah had always been determined and single-minded, and as children it had bothered him to the high heavens. But the way she was quick to retract her words and comfort Rose made him wonder if perhaps she had matured some over the years.
Leah stood from her place at the fire, running her hands along the bodice of her gown and Owen was struck by the way the fire played across her face and figure. Could she really be so different after only four years? He had always known she was beautiful, but never had he had an attraction to her. And he was slightly horrified by the way he couldn’t remove his gaze from her.
“I’m sorry if my dress is not up to snuff compared to the fashions of London, but perhaps you could hide your obvious distaste a bit better than that.”
His eyes shot up to hers and she narrowed her gaze. If only Leah knew what his true thoughts were, she might still be angry, but for a much different reason.
“Leah.” Jonas sat with an elbow on the arm of his chair as he shook his head. “You are being unfathomably ridiculous.”
She took a deep breath, gazing at the carpet in what seemed like an effort to collect herself. “I suppose I am. My apologies.”
Quick to apologize? That was new. And the conversation moved forward without Owen needing to explain his staring, so he could consider it a win on all counts.
