Page 52 of Forget Me Not

“I’ve never needed clothing for a lady when waiting out the weather here.” He blew on the tiny embers that were just then hopping to life. “We can be grateful you aren’t in need of a dress.”

Julia lowered herself to the blanket laid out in front of the fireplace, hoping for a bit of warmth. Lucas tended the fledgling flames.

She unlaced her damp boots and slipped them off. She would never have guessed that her feet could get colder, but they did. She reached up under her dress and untied her garters. Her stockings were dry at the top and slid off easily until she reached her ankles, where they became a sodden mess. The cold air stung her bare toes as she set the stockings aside, so she made quick work of pulling the large, dry, thick-knit stockings on, protecting her feet once again from the bite of cold. The stockings were every bit as enormous as she’d expected, but they were also blessedly warm.

She stretched her legs out in front of her and wiggled her wool-enveloped toes in the direction of the growing fire. Lucas sat back, eyes on the small flames. Something in his posture and expression gave the impression of discomfort.

“Are you upset about something?” she asked.

He shook his head.

“You’re very quiet.”

“Not because I’m upset,” he said. He didn’t sound upset.

“Something is on your mind. What is it you’re thinking about?”

One corner of his mouth twitched, and he shook his head.

An answering smile formed beneath the surface. “What is it?” she asked.

Again, he shook his head.

He meant to be stubborn, did he? “We’re not leaving anytime soon. You might as well tell me.”

“No chance of it, sweeting.” But he smiled.

She couldn’t resist the merriment in his eyes. “Tell me, Lucas.”

“No.”

This was proving to be unexpectedly fun. She leaned toward him. “Tell me.”

He leaned back on his hands. “You really want to know what I was thinking?”

“I really do.”

His smile turned resigned and mischievous all at the same time. “I was thinking that you have very nice legs.”

Her mouth dropped open, and her eyes widened.

Lucas laughed long and low. “You wanted to know.”

“But how—? When did—? How—?”

“I looked over to tell you that your wet stockings would dry faster if you laid them out flat. You happened in that moment to be in the midst of taking your stockings off.”

Julia pressed her palms to her heated cheeks.

“I wasn’t going to say anything.” He sat up straight once more. “I didn’t want to embarrass you.”

She dropped her hands and clasped them. “Well, I’ll know better than to press you for conversation next time.”

He moved, setting himself directly in front of her. “Don’t stop pressing, Julia. I prefer when we talk. It would be miserable to return to silently avoiding each other.”

She looked down at her hands. “Brier Hill has been a little lonely.”

He set his hand atop hers. “I don’t want it to be. I truly don’t.”

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