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He lifted his eyebrows. “I promise not to insult your dog. Please let me see it.”

She threw him a skeptical look but moved aside. A smile split over his face at the sight of the round, short body and broad head of the snow creature. Its snout was short, with two indents in the center like nostrils.

He rubbed one side of his face, struggling to soften his smile.

“Well?” Miss Sterling prompted.

“I promised not to insult it.”

She laughed, and Felix admired the way her face lit up, her nose and cheeks rosy from the cold. “I shall tell everyone it’s a pig from now on,” she whispered. “They will never know what my intentions were.”

He gave her creation a thoughtful look. “It is a beautiful pig.”

She covered her face with one hand with a laugh. She peeked at him from between her fingers. “I have never heard a pig described as beautiful.”

“You haven’t been to my estate. My tenants raise the most beautiful pigs in all of Somerset.”

“I shall have to take your word for it.” She dusted a few flakes of snow off her gloves, smiling up at him.

His stomach twisted, an entanglement of desire and uncertainty. Mrs. Laurence didn’t seem intent to leave them alone. She still watched him with a look of misgiving, though her expression had softened slightly, as if she was surprised to find them interacting so cordially.

“Why take my word when you could see them for yourself?” Felix smiled softly. “Perhaps I should host my own Christmas house party next year.”

Miss Sterling laughed. “It could never compare to this one.”

“What little faith you have in me.”

“A party like this requires a woman’s touch,” she clarified. “Do you think Lord Dalmeer could have planned all of this? His mother is the one behind it.”

Felix tipped his head closer. “You are assuming there won’t be a Mrs. Hawthorne by next Christmas. Once again, what little faith you have in me.”

She looked down at the snow with a faint smile. “You must have plans to propose to Miss Benson?”

Was she hoping that he would deny it? He had been searching for any sign that she might have feelings for him too, but she was difficult to read. Felix’s mind had been made up when it came to not proposing to Miss Benson, but he had yet to formally call off the attachment. Telling Miss Sterling before he told Miss Benson could be disastrous if rumors were to spread. Out of respect for the latter, he didn’t yet feel at liberty to deny it.

Before he could answer, Miss Sterling turned, distracted by the sound of labored breathing drawing nearer from the left. Felix followed her gaze to find Mr. Markham jogging across the fresh snow. He lifted a hand in greeting, and within moments, he had reached Miss Sterling’s side.

How the devil had he made it all the way to Bellthorne Hall?

The man leaned over to catch his breath, coughing into the bend of his arm. “Miss Sterling, I have been searching the entire estate for you! I have Mr. Cole to thank for pointing me in your direction.”

Miss Sterling put on a smile, but Felix could clearly see the surprise behind it. “How did you make it here in the snow?”

Felix had been wondering the same thing. He awaited the man’s explanation, his feet still planted where he stood. Not only had Mr. Markham interrupted his time with Miss Sterling, but he hadn’t even glanced Felix’s way.

“I walked! It was invigorating.” He coughed again, his cheeks ruddy. “I told you I would call upon you, and so I have. I am a man of my word.”

“You are, indeed.” Miss Sterling looked more amused than anything, but her cheeks were pinker than before. Was she flattered? Embarrassed? Felix should have walked away, but he was not feeling inclined to be driven away by Mr. Markham. He had been looking forward to building snow pigs with Miss Sterling, and he wouldn’t be stopped now.

“What is this?” Mr. Markham asked, eyeing the sculpture. “Wait—do not tell me.” He stroked his chin for several seconds, eyes narrowed. “A pig?”

“You are correct.” Miss Sterling threw a glance in Felix’s direction, and they shared a smile before she tore her gaze away.

“Let us make another,” Felix suggested. “We might build an entire pigsty.”

Miss Sterling’s eyes lit up with curiosity. She was clearly surprised that Felix hadn’t left yet. “Very well. You may both create your own pigs, and I shall judge which one is better.”

Felix was tempted to shrug out of his jacket and roll up his sleeves, a surge of competitiveness rising in his chest.