He sat two handsbreadths away from her, so close that her side felt his warmth. His masculine presence affected herin confusing ways. Both comforting and enlivening, his aura promised novelty, fascination, and care.
Perhaps he had not been teasing about being friends. It would be nice to have one.
“It is a nice property.” He held up his tumbler, gesturing to the land within the walls, and beyond. “That spring alone makes it valuable, and it is well situated. You could sell, and have an easier future than what you have known recently.”
They stood and began strolling on the garden path. “This house and spot of land are all we have. When Rebecca marries, I will give my share to her, so she is not without some sort of fortune. But...” She gazed around the garden, then back at the house. “It is also who we are. If I sell, who will we be?” She laughed lightly at her own words. “That sounds stupid. Of course, we will be the same people, just...”
“I understand completely.”
She could see it in his eyes that he did.
“It was a tragedy that your brother became ill,” he said. “I do not think you have enjoyed life much these past years, while holding things together, for all your pleasure in creating this garden.”
“Yes, a tragedy, in several ways.”Your tragic love. “But... had I not been required to hold it all together, I fear we would have lost everything. He expected a gentleman’s life that we could not afford.”
He stopped walking and turned to her. They stood in the little orchard at the back of the garden, beneath branches dotted with first growth. “I understand that completely too. We will have to make sure you have some fun now, however. I will make it my mission.”
“It will be an easy one. I intend to have a good deal of fun in the future. I have spent the last months during our period of mourning planning just how to do it.”
He laughed. “Is Langdon’s End prepared for Miss Russell determined to have fun? Is the world?”
“Possibly not. The world will have to adapt. You are still welcome to join me, even if it need not be your mission to help.”
“Perhaps it is I who will need help. I am a stranger here, remember? Unfortunately, I fear you will be well on your way before I return from a journey I must make.”
“I think you have no trouble catching up on fun, when you want to.”
He smiled nicely. His stance altered in the subtle ways that spoke of someone preparing to leave. Something stopped him. “Ah, I almost forgot. I brought you this.” He reached into his coat.
The gift was a long length of ribbon. She recognized it from Mrs. Fleming’s shop. An elegant strip of satin, its deep lavender color spoke of spring.
The gesture touched her. “Thank you. It is beautiful.”
“It will look pretty with that muslin you bought. The purple will bring out the primrose in the fabric, and also the blue in your eyes when you wear it.”
She carefully wound the ribbon around her hand. “The muslin is not for me. I am making a new dress for my sister.”
“Ah. Of course, you are. Well, you can use some of it for the dress, but promise me you will keep enough to wear in your hair.”
He left her speechless for a long count, while she gazed down at the ribbon. “You are too kind. I am ashamed that I misjudged you initially. You are not dangerous, as you appear to be.”
“Call me Gareth, please. In turn, I would like to address you in private as Eva, if you will permit it.”
“Gareth,” she said lowly, trying out the informality. “Yes, Eva will do when no one is about.”
“I am honored. Now, since we are friends, I am obligated to say something. I must warn that your judgment is actually very sound, Eva. I am indeed dangerous. Especially to lovely, mature women like yourself.”
Astonished, she looked up at him. A mistake, that. The gaze that met hers belonged to the dangerous man he warned of. She stared, captivated by that face. His vague smile stirred her.
Was he going to kiss her? Was he that bold? It appeared so. The very notion had her pulse quickening.
What to do? She must not allow it, yet—she could not bring herself to move away, or utter some arch reply. She just waited, and the waiting itself affected the air and the garden and the space between them. She experienced a most shocking excitement.
It seemed a long time they stood there, gazes locked, until the waiting turned almost painful. An outrageous idea entered her mind—to stretch up and kiss him first.
He stepped back. His gaze shifted to the garden, away from her. When he looked at her again he was just the charming new friend once more, although the smallest thoughtful frown creased his brow.
He bowed. “I must take my leave now. I will be back within the month. Perhaps as early as a fortnight. I will call on you when I return.”
