He grinned. “Then it must be you that creates that certain gleam, Mrs. Burls, because I assure you, no other woman can make me smile the way you can.”
She giggled, her cheeks flaring red once again. From the other side of the veranda, Mrs. Stiles even let out a giddy laugh. Tabitha, however, offered a small smile. She must have not seen the humor in the subject as much as the other two women.
Mr. Jacobs leaned closer to Tabitha and whispered something to her. Suddenly, she beamed and laughed. Jealousy ate away at Nic, making him want to march over to them and break up their little private session.
He gripped his drink with one hand and the plate with the other as irritation simmered inside of him. How could he stop this anger flowing through him so that the older women didn’t notice his jealousy? Tabitha didn’t want them knowing his feelings, and he did make a promise—although at this point he wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep it.
Especially after this morning. For a few brief and heart-wrenching moments, he’d thought he’d lost Tabitha. When she started breathing on her own, his heart soared, and emotion filled his chest. He couldn’t deny his feelings for her now. Indeed, he loved this woman more than life itself. This was probably the reason that Mr. Jacobs’ presence grated on Nic’snerves. Was the man trying to win Tabitha’s hand? And what was she doing encouraging the blacksmith’s attention?
Out of the corner of his eyes, Sally walked slowly to the buffet table. She stirred some dishes and even covered them with lids. Six months ago, he didn’t get to see much of her while she stayed with Diana and Tabitha at their cottage hideaway. Sally had been abused severely by her former employer, Lord Elliot, so she had stayed in her room recuperating. Now as he really studied the younger woman, he realized she was quite attractive. The maid was possibly in her nineteenth year, but she had the prettiest blonde hair and bright gray eyes. And her eyes…were constantly moving toward Tabitha and Mr. Jacobs.
Gradually, he released a sigh of relief. Perhaps there was a way around his jealousy with Mr. Jacobs after all. As he studied Sally, he could see her fascination with the other man. If Nic could somehow make Mr. Jacobs aware of Sally, with any luck, the other man would turn his attention to the young maid, instead.
Nic stood and moved to the table. Sally’s gaze snapped to him before she retreated to the corner of the veranda. He’d seen her act this way before. Once he stopped at the table, he pretended to look over the several plates of dishes as if seeing what he wanted to eat. He peered up at her, meeting her gaze, and smiled.
“Sally, what are you doing over there? Have you eaten yet?”
Her eyes grew larger and she shook her head. “Of course not, my lo—uh, Mr. Woodland. I will eat afterward, as most servants do.”
He was relieved she didn’t saymy lord,which it sounded like she was going to.
“But why? There are just a few of us, and I don’t think any of us will mind you eating now.” He glanced over his shoulder at the others. Tabitha watched him with a curious gaze, and the older women appeared shocked that he would suggest sucha thing. Mr. Jacobs looked mildly interested in what was going on though, and that’s what mattered to Nic. He glanced back at Sally. “Please, get yourself a plate and come sit with us. In fact, you can sit by me.”
Sally’s face paled as her gaze darted to everyone in the group. Nobody said anything, and Nic hoped the older women wouldn’t try to talk him out of it.
“But…” the maid said softly, “I’m a servant.”
“Oh, come now, Sally. We are all equal in the eyes of the Lord.” He tried not to grin. That line just popped into his head. Strange to think he was acting more and more like a clergyman the longer he portrayed one. Frederick would certainly get a good laugh over this one. Nic turned to Mrs. Burls. “Am I correct?”
“Uh…about what, Mr. Woodland?” the older woman asked with great hesitation.
“That we are all equal in the eyes of the Lord, and because of that, I think Sally should be able to eat with us this time.”
Mrs. Burls’ throat lurched as if she had swallowed something hard. Slowly, she nodded. “I think you are correct. Sally is like family anyway, so I believe she can eat with us.” She turned her attention to the maid. “Sally, please don’t be shy. Fix yourself a plate and come sit with us, just as Mr. Woodland has asked.”
He glanced over his shoulder at Tabitha. Worried lines creased around her eyes and mouth as she looked at the maid.
Finally, Tabitha nodded. “Yes, Sally. Please join us.” She stood and set her plate on the chair, and then strode to the table to assist Sally.
After a few minutes, Tabitha returned to her chair with Sally following. She sat between Tabitha and Nic. He waited for her to start eating before speaking to her. Everyone seemed to be at ease, as well.
“So Sally,” he said, turning in his chair to face her, “are you from York like Miss Paget?”
She dropped her gaze to her plate as her cheeks turned red. “No. I’m actually from Mayfair.”
“Oh, what a nice place. I know a few people from there, too.”
Shyly, she glanced at him before her gaze fell to her food again. “Indeed, it’s a very lovely place to live.”
“Are you enjoying yourself in North Devon?”
She bobbed her head. “Immensely.”
“Well, you picked the perfect host to stay with. Mrs. Burls is one of the sweetest women I know.”
Beside him, the older woman laughed. “Oh, Mr. Woodland. You are such a charmer.”
Nic noticed that Mr. Jacobs had his focus on Sally now. Of course he was also paying more attention to the conversation as well.
