His eyes broadened, and immediately, she could see he was on the defensive. “Why would you say that?”
Sighing heavily, she shook her head. “Because the meat is spoiled, the bread is moldy, and the strawberries are not ripe enough to eat. However, the cheese tastes just fine.”
Dejection was the emotion clouding his eyes now as his gaze dropped to the floor.
Something tugged at her heart. Perhaps she’d been too harsh. Considering here was a man who she never thought would stoop so low as to do servant’s work, and yet he still prepared their meal. Obviously, he was trying to change…if only in a small way.
Placing her hand on his arm, she waited until he looked at her. “Forgive me, my lord. I’m very impressed that you did this for me.” She forced herself to smile since her heart still wasn’t in it. “I honestly thought your cook was trying to poison us. If I had known beforehand that you had done this, I wouldn’t have said anything.”
A chuckle escaped his mouth and he didn’t appear as crushed as he’d been a moment ago. “Frederick tried to teach me a few things, but it’s clear that I haven’t the slightest idea what I’m doing in a kitchen.”
At first she wondered if he was acting. After all, she knew he had wanted to make her think he was changing. Then again, the sincere look in his eyes looked genuine. Nobody could act that well.
“I don’t hold that against you,” she said. “After all, you have never had to work inside a kitchen before. You probably don’t know how to care for meat or bread, or when to pick strawberries.”
“I don’t.”
“Well, for what it’s worth, I’m impressed that you wanted to do this for me.” She smiled, although it was still hard. She set the bonnet on her head and tied the ribbons underneath. “But I still must go. I fear if I stay any longer, the chance of us getting caught in a scandal grows by the second. That’s not what a clergyman wants anyway. And since the rain has stopped,”she glanced out the window, “I’m certain more people will be venturing outside.”
He nodded. “You are correct.” He took her cloak off the nail and held it out. “Will you allow me to assist you?”
“How very kind of you, my lord.”
Standing in back of her, he helped her as she slipped her arms into the sleeves. With his hands still holding the shoulders of the garment, he moved closer to her. His breath breezed across her neck, making her shiver.
“Tabitha,” he said in a low voice, “must I remind you not to refer to me asmy lord. I’m the clergyman.”
She turned her head and glanced at him over her shoulder. “But we’re not in public. I promised not to call you that name when we are around other people, and I shall stick to our agreement.”
It was rather difficult to move away from him, only because the warmth from his body brought a little comfort to her agitated state. Strange to think how much more relaxed she was.
She stepped to the door, placed her hand on the knob, and turned, but before she could open it, he moved behind her and stopped the door with his hand. She gazed up into his gray eyes.
“Thank you, Tabitha.”
“For what?”
“For not leaving angry at me.” He grinned.
His soft voice and kind eyes began to soften her heart. She couldn’t have that! “Um, well…yes. You are welcome. And I thank you again for sharing your cousin’s secret with me.”
“Perhaps one of these days in the near future, you will share one of your secrets with me?” His brows lifted.
Clearing her throat, she shook her head slowly. “That, my lord, willneverhappen.”
“Never say never.” He winked.
*
Later that day,Nic was back to looking like the clergyman. Although he’d ruined the afternoon meal for Tabitha and even made her upset, the day hadn’t been a total wreck. He’d made her laugh, which he couldn’t wait to do again. There for a little while, they carried on an amicable conversation. All in all, he had enjoyed the time spent with her and anticipated the next time he’d see her. Of course, he would be dressed as Frederick, which now Nic realized he really didn’t like because of the baggy clothes and powder in his hair to make him appear older. It was rather nice to look like his young self again.
And this beard—he scratched his chin—needed to go! It would drive him insane if they couldn’t catch the thief soon.
The temperatures had warmed up slightly since the rain had stopped. The first thing he’d do was to wander down by the beach and look for the hole in the sand…which of course probably wasn’t there now. Frederick’s worries had been on Nic’s mind since his cousin had mentioned his concern.
He casually strolled down the middle of town toward the ocean. Just as he had predicted earlier, more people had ventured outside once the rain had stopped. Several ladies were shopping, and some men were gathered outside one of the local pubs. Nic only nodded a greeting to those who acknowledged him first. He didn’t want to start a conversation he couldn’t end quickly.
From one of the shops, a familiar face caught his eye. Miss Mildred Talbot—and without her widowed sister, Mrs. Smythe this time. When Miss Talbot noticed him, her eyes beamed and color brightened her cheeks. He chuckled to himself. Indeed, this woman had eyes only for Frederick. It was a shame Nic’s cousin couldn’t return the interest. Even if Miss Talbot wasn’t as attractive as Frederick’s late wife had been, Nic was certainthe older woman had a kind and loving soul. It was obvious the woman was smitten with the clergyman.
