Surprise lit his eyes. “Nothing.”
She reached inside the small bag and pulled out some coins. “As much as I appreciate your generosity, I must insist on paying my share.”
“Why?”
“Because the last thing I want on top of everything else is for you to think I’m a leech.”
He tilted his head as if in thought while studying her. The intensity of his gaze tempted her to avert her own. Instead she forced herself to stare back until he eventually said, “It’s a paltry sum I would have been more than happy to cover, but if you insist, I’ll not deprive you. A shilling will suffice.”
She dropped the coin into his palm, avoiding further contact for the moment. He pocketed it and glanced at the parcel of food he’d placed beside him on the bench. Indecision caught his features. He huffed a breath and looked out the window.
Wilhelmina considered his strained expression. “You don’t have to wait with your food on my account. If you’re hungry, go ahead.”
The edge of his mouth lifted as he glanced her way. “You won’t think me rude?”
“Well…” When he frowned, she laughed. “I’m sure I could find a reason to do so, but it won’t be for satisfying your appetite.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Lawson.” He pulled the parcel into his lap and unwrapped it. A roll of bread came into view along with some slices of ham and cheese. Mr. Dale tore the roll in two and placed the ham and cheese between the halves, then took a bite.
A satisfied sigh filled the air, prompting Wilhelmina to chuckle. “My husband also…”
She stopped herself and bit her lip. She’d spoken in haste and now Mr. Dale was staring at her as if curious to know what she’d left unspoken. Intent on steering his mind away from her ruined marriage, she forced a smile. “How’s the food?”
Mr. Dale raised his eyebrows.I know you’re deflecting, he seemed to say. He nodded. “Tasty.”
Wilhelmina leaned back and tried to think of a subject with which to distract her travel companion. Recalling his slightly scruffy appearance when they’d last met, she asked, “Why were you covered in dirt yesterday?”
He watched her while he chewed. Once he’d swallowed the bite he said, “One of my father’s tenants is having a flood issue. I was helping him and his sons dig a canal of sorts in order to redirect the water from their farmland. Michael’s decision to elope could not have come at a worse time. After I realized he was gone, I had to ask one of the grooms to manage the work on my behalf since I hadn’t the time to waste on hiring a laborer.”
“Hmm…”
“What?”
“Nothing.” She shook her head.
He almost smiled. “Come now, Mrs. Lawson. You’re not one to shy away from speaking your mind.”
“I wasn’t about to do any such thing.” When he gave her a look of disbelief she said, “I merely wonder at your decision to work for a living and shovel dirt when I’m sure you don’t have to. Most men in your position would welcome the leisure with which they could pass each day, yet you seem determined to struggle while making your son do the same.”
He popped the last of his sandwich into his mouth and dusted the crumbs from his hands. After rolling the leftover cheesecloth into a ball, he tossed it onto the bench beside him. “I’m a firm believer in idleness being the enemy of the soul. People need to experience some degree of accomplishment in order to enjoy a sense of worth. This is what I’m attempting to teach Michael.”
“I find it commendable and wise.”
“Really?” He watched her as if she were an alien creature from another world.
“While other men of privilege will be dependent on their inheritances, your son will be self-reliant. No matter what life throws his way, he will always have the benefit of a useful education.”
“Precisely.” Mr. Dale stretched out his legs and crossed them at the ankles.
The pose accentuated the snug fit of his breeches and alerted Wilhelmina to the firm contours of his thighs. She sucked in a breath and dragged her gaze away from his legs only to find herself snared by the gleam in Mr. Dale’s eyes. The blasted man knew she’d been admiring his physique.
Damn him.
“Now that you know the reason behind my scruffy appearance,” he said while she fought the oncoming flush to her cheeks, “perhaps you’d care to share yours?”
She took a deep breath and willed the unpleasant self-awareness she suddenly experienced to subside. Eyeing him, she dared to ask, “Does this mean we’ve agreed to a temporary truce?”
He dipped his head in agreement. “If you like. I think we can both agree that our journey will hasten along with greater ease if we talk.”
