“I only want to satisfy Uncle Hector that all is well with his son. Apparently, if a problem arises within myfamily, I am the one duty bound to promptly take care of it. Besides, asking you about Robert gave me the opportunity to come see you.” He gave her a twitch of a smile. “Robert wasn’t my only reason for coming over.”
Her lower abdomen tightened, and she hoped he couldn’t sense how much that pleased her. “I guessed as much.”
Nodding, he said, “I like being with you, looking at you, and desiring you as intensely as I am right now.”
Brina’s heart started beating faster. Glancing down at her dress, there was nothing suggestive about the loose-fitting pale brown gown she wore, but his words made her feel as if she were clothed in a luxurious silk gown with her hair beautifully adorned and her cheeks and lips as rosy as a babe’s. He always made her feel that way.
“I—I don’t know what to say to that. It’s not the kind of thing a gentleman should say to a lady. ‘Thank you’ doesn’t seem appropriate for such a comment concerning desire.”
His gaze stayed softly on her face. “You don’t have to say anything. I wanted you to know—in case you had any doubts. Let’s go riding. I brought the horses.”
She’d love to ride again. It was a beautiful afternoon. She glanced at the table and then down at her feet. The toes of her black satin slippers peeked from beneath the hem of her skirt. She didn’t even have her riding boots. Much as she would like to ride again, she simply wasn’t prepared. Why couldn’t he give her notice so she could plan and be ready?
She sighed. “No. I can’t possibly go this afternoon.”
“You need to get on a horse and ride again so you won’t forget how,” he encouraged.
“I didn’t forget in five years.” Brina gave a soft chuckle. “I’m not likely to forget now.”
“Let’s make sure you don’t. We’ll be followed again. We can give the men who watch me a merry chase.”
“That’s such a beastly thing for them to do. I don’t know how you put up with it.”
He shrugged in a nonchalant manner and gave her a bit of a grin. “I am putting up with many things right now, Brina. Compared to some of them, these men don’t bother me at all. I wave or tip my hat, so they know I see them.”
She knew he was talking about the things she had forced him to give up. But he was kind enough not to spell that out, and she was grateful for that. There were still times she couldn’t believe she’d issued all those demands. Or that, so far, he’d followed them all. That troubled her every time it crossed her mind. For that reason alone, it was best for her to send him on his merry way.
“No, I can’t ride today. I must finish getting these ready for Pilwillow Crossings. I need to take them to the sisters tomorrow. Julia has already asked to go with me. I really can’t change the day.”
He glanced at her odd collection of items on the table. “What is it you’re making?”
“Little bags of comfort is what I call them,” she said softly. “I add a spoon of tea leaves to the center of the little squares and then tie up the ends with a string. These small sizes make enough for one cup of tea.”
He studied on that for a moment before looking at her with a puzzled expression and asking, “Wouldn’t it be far less trouble if you gave the entire tin?”
“You think it’s for the sisters to drink?” She laughed. “No. These are for the sisters to hand out to people who aren’t fortunate enough to have tea or even food every day. For some it will be the only tea they get. Three mornings a week, the sisters make soup and bread to give to the needy. They also provide poultices to those whomay have an injury. I asked if I could help by making these little bags of tea to hand to everyone. Most of the people have few comforts in life. At times, something as simple as a warm cup of tea can make one feel better, no matter the circumstances.”
He reached out and briefly caressed her cheek with his fingertips. His touch was warm and soothing. “They probably appreciate the tea as much as the soup.”
“I don’t know about that,” she said honestly. “It’s certainly not as nourishing. Yesterday, I rolled bandages for the sisters to give out.” She looked down to the other end of the table at a large basket brimming with white rolls of cloth.
“You did all that?”
She nodded. “It’s such an easy thing to do but means so much. Some have injuries that get very little care and most have nothing to cover the wounds to keep them clean. I take all I’ve made to the sisters once or sometimes twice a week.”
“I’m understanding more now why my uncles kept telling me you were too good for me.”
She turned away from his touch. “Please don’t say things like that. It upsets me to be praised for doing something good for people in need.”
His expression quizzed her. “Why? It’s true.”
She couldn’t explain and didn’t really want to try. Feeling a pang of sadness, she offered, “As you know, our Society frowns upon a lady doing anything that might be considered work, but I’m not bothered by that. It feels good to be needed, to help others have a better life. I wanted to help the sisters pass out the food. Unfortunately, Sister Francine wouldn’t even consider it, but not because I am from Society.”
“What then?”
“I’m not capable.”
He looked at her as if she might have lost her mind. “No. I don’t believe that.”
