He bowed over Mrs.Jerden’s hand and kissed the air just above it.“It is my pleasure to meet a friend of Miss Davis’s.”Then he presented Nora with his basket.“I’ve brought you the beast you requested, m’lady.Alas, he is not friendlier after the can of sardines than he was before.”
Nora ignored his knight act, took the basket from him, and tipped it so Tristan could escape.“Here you go, Tristan.Behave yourself, and I’ll reward you with a bowl of warm milk.”
Tristan jumped out, then stood stiffly as he took in his surroundings.After a moment he strutted from one spot to another, inspecting each with a cursory sniff.
“Milk is in the kitchen.This way, kitty.”Mrs.Jerden strode toward the back.
Tristan followed at a much slower and purposeful pace, like he wanted everyone to know it was his idea.
“I didn’t realize you’d have a guest today, or I wouldn’t have intruded.”Mr.Beaumont hung his coat.
“I invited Mrs.Jerdenbecauseyou were coming.I do have a reputation to maintain, you know.”Nora turned to lead him toward the kitchen, only to find Mrs.Jerden walking backward.
“Don’t worry, young man!”Mrs.Jerden called down the hall.“I know how these things work.I’m only here to ensure propriety is maintained while you court our sweet Nora.”
Heat flushed Nora’s neck and face.“Ignore her.She has grand plans for us that will never come to fruition.”
“Never?”Ezekiel asked.“But what if I like her plans and would like to carry them out?”
“Then you might as well leave.My father will never allow it, and I have no desire for anything but friendship.”
“Understood.”
Oh, he might say he understood, but his grin plainly declaredhiswishes still matched Mrs.Jerden’s.
“So tell me about your day.What keeps you busy?”
At least he’d turned the conversation to the more mundane.Even so, he listened with interest to her boring domestic duties, asked questions, and skillfully encouraged her to let slip more details than she wanted about her life since coming to Cincinnati.He never delved into topics that exposed her family’s previously operatic experience, a consideration she was grateful for.Mrs.Jerden might have heard the singing lessons before Mum was admitted, but Nora didn’t want her to think opera was safe to discuss around Father.All afternoon they bounced between safe but engaging topics.When Mrs.Jerden mentioned her steps had the same problem as Nora’s, Mr.Beaumont offered to fix hers as well.That thoroughly won Mrs.Jerden over—not that she wasn’t already on his side—and Nora found herself desiring to spend more time with him.
Even Tristan continued to gain her favor, despite his being a rascal.During the meal, he yowled and demanded bites until Mr.Beaumont sheepishly asked for a small bowl of soup to feed him.Mr.Beaumont was indeed the cat’s servant and not the master.Once satisfied with his portion of the meal, Tristan prowled the house at will, causing Lily extra work when he upset a few potted plants.Finally tired of his exploration, he joined them in the parlor and searched for the perfect spot from which to hold court.A bright ray of afternoon sunlight pooled its warmth at Nora’s feet.After sufficient deliberation, he curled up on the tips of her boots.
Ezekiel gave a mock harrumph.“It appears Tristan prefers your company over mine.Not that I’m surprised.”
“Making it so my feet can’t move is a display of affection?”
“He wants to ensure you don’t go anywhere without him.”
As if to confirm, Tristan looked up at Nora, twitched his whiskers, then settled back with a loud purr.
The afternoon passed far too quickly, and before she knew it, Mr.Beaumont was announcing he had to leave.Unbidden, an invitation for him to return anytime he wished slipped past her lips.
“Will you be visiting your ma tomorrow?”He’d dropped his voice low as he wrangled Tristan back into the basket.
“I never miss a week.”
“Then would you care to meet me at Pike’s Opera House before traveling on?I know it’s out of the way, but we could ride together.Tristan can be our chaperone again.”
It had been one thing when they had no choice but to share.It was something altogether different tochooseto ride alone with the man.They both knew Tristan didn’t count as a chaperone, but the hack would be open air.The whole world would be privy to their behavior, not that she had any true concerns for impropriety.He might be a charmer, but he was also proving himself a well-behaved gentleman.
“I suppose that would be more economical.We can share the fare.”
His arched brow declared his offense at the suggestion.“We can debate that later.I need to drop Tristan off at home and then return to work.”He rose with Tristan’s basket, and the tenderness of his gaze stole her breath.It was far too close to how Abraham looked at Lydia, and no man had ever looked at Nora that way.“Thank you for today’s invitation and the future ones.If you should find yourself comfortable at any point with calling me Ezekiel, I pray you would do so.”
“I am afraid that may be quite some time from now.”She opened the door and held it.
He made as if to pass but stopped before her.“Then I look forward to every day I’m allowed to work toward earning that honor.Until tomorrow, Miss Davis.”He gave a half bow in lieu of a kiss above the hand and left.
As soon as Nora closed the door, Mrs.Jerden whooped.“Now that man is worthy of you!Be sure to encourage him.You don’t want him to get away.”
