With the warmer weather, the men were busy chopping trees along the riverbanks, which took him away from the house in the morning and kept him away until supper. To see him now, unexpectedly, sent butterflies fluttering in her midsection. She hadn’t thought she’d see him until the others arrived.
He opened the door and caught her gaze. He smiled and tipped his hat at her. The simple gesture warmed her through. She tried desperately to quell the feeling, but it was almost impossible.
“What brings you here so early?” she asked.
He openly admired her. “Is that a new dress?”
She had put on one of her prettier dresses, though it wasn’t as fine as her pink silk ball gown. A bit self-conscious, she lifted thehem of the green empire-style frock and looked down at herself. “It’s not new, but I haven’t worn it here.”
Heat warmed his gaze. “You’re a bonnie sight to behold. It makes me think I should have worn something a little nicer.”
Eleanor shook her head quickly. “You look very fine.”
It wasn’t the words so much but the way she’d said them that made her cheeks become hot.
Arran smiled, probably more at her discomfort than her compliment.
“I thought to come early and help you prepare,” he said, clearly changing the subject to spare her embarrassment.
There weren’t enough tables for everyone to sit and eat, so they would need to be pushed against the edges of the room where the meal would be served. Everyone would find a place to sit on the benches or on the floor, picnic style.
“Do you mind my help?” he asked, removing his hat.
His dark hair was so curly and untamed, her fingers tingled with the urge to run through the thick strands. She placed her hands behind her back and refused to think about his hair, or any other part of his well-formed body.
“Of course not. Thank you.”
He went to the table closest to him and began to push it toward the wall. She joined him and helped. Together, they made quick work of the room, leaving them more time than she anticipated before the others would arrive.
The sun had set, and the last blush of color rimmed the sky beyond the stockade. Eleanor quietly walked around the room and lit the lanterns on the walls, very conscious of Arran’s gaze following her.
“You’ve done well,” he said softly, admiration in his voice.
“With what?”
“With the school and the colonists.” He walked up to her and lifted one of the chimneys from a lantern so she could light it.The scars on his hands caught her attention, as they often did, but she did not let her thoughts linger there for long. “And with Miriam,” he added.
His praise was unexpected and filled her with a wealth of pleasure.
“There’s no one who could have done better than you.”
He stood close to her as she lit the wick of the lantern. She took her time, her hand trembling ever so slightly.
“Thank you,” she said just above a whisper. She wanted to ask him if he was happy that she had come, or if he’d changed his mind about making her return to England, but neither one of the questions would move to her lips. “I’ve never felt such joy and purpose as I have this past winter.” It was true. For the first time in her life, she had felt like she was contributing to something bigger and better than herself. “Both with Miriam and the school.”
“You’ve also made a difference in the daily lives of the colonists. You’ve gained their respect and admiration, Eleanor, and eased their burdens.”
She wanted to know if she’d made a difference in his life, or if she had his respect and admiration now, but a simple glance at his face told her all she needed to know. She saw it there, as plain as if he’d said it.
“Aye.” He smiled. “And mine, too.”
“I didn’t ask.”
“You dinna need to ask. I saw the question in your bonnie eyes.”
Eleanor smiled, delighted that he could read her so well. “I have you to thank.” She blew out the match she’d been using to light the lanterns. “If it hadn’t been for you, no one would have given me a chance.”
“You have no one but yourself to thank.” He set the chimney back and leaned against the wall, the muscles of his arms rippling as he crossed them.
