Page 55 of The Miracle of Love
“And still, you want love?”
“More than ever.”
He leaned his forehead against hers. “Oh, Grace. What am I going to do with you?”
She could think of many things, but they mostly involved kissing and giving their bodies to each other, which was a terribly dangerous idea. “You could teach me something useful. I am adept at dancing, having spent years under the guidance of a dance instructor. Music. Painting. Archery. But what good are these accomplishments to me now? I am just another genteel, young lady of moderate talent who has fallen upon hard times and must now learn to make her way in the world.”
“This will not be your lot in life. I am not going to let anything bad happen to you.”
“Then will you teach me something useful? I can embroider, but cannot sew a gown for myself. Nor can I boil water or bake a pie or tend crops.”
“We are going to talk about this later. Blessed saints, you are giving me fits.” She thought he was going to kiss her, but he suddenly moved away. “Mrs. Harcourt is making her way down the hall.”
“You can hear her?”
“Yes.”
She thought he was making it up as an excuse to move away from her, but he crossed the room to open the door and there she was. “Why, Captain Driscoll. What a coincidence. I was about to knock.”
He stepped aside to allow her in. “Smells delicious, Mrs. Harcourt. Here, let me take the tray out of your hands. You’ve loaded it with delights and it must be heavy.”
“Well, I’m used to lugging things about. Ye just let me know if ye need anything else.” She turned to smile at Grace. “Mrs. Driscoll, ye seem a little overset. Are ye feeling all right?”
Grace nodded. “Yes, perfectly well.”
“Are ye certain?”
Grace nodded again.
Deklan must have considered her response unconvincing, so he added, “She is disappointed because the storm will delay us from reaching her family.”
“Oh, of course. Poor lamb, ye must be missing them something dreadful. But ye’ll see them soon enough. The last of the snow will pass through by this afternoon. Of course, ye’d better wait for tomorrow before ye leave here. It’ll be too dangerous to travel today.”
She smiled at the woman. “Thank you, Mrs. Harcourt. You are perfectly right. And there is no lovelier place to be than snowed in with my husband at this lovely inn.”
Deklan set down the breakfast tray on the small table nestled against the fireplace wall and cast the old woman a wink followed by a rakish smile. “And I intend to take full advantage.”
The woman bustled out giggling.
Deklan closed the door after her, then began to set out their meal. The scent of cocoa, coffee, and warm bread tickled Grace’s nostrils. “Let me help you with that.”
She came to his side, but he had already done most of the work.
“Sit down, love. Can we call a truce to our discussion?”
“Yes, please. Let’s talk of anything else. Or we can simply eat in silence. I would not mind that either.”
“No, I want to get to know you better.”
“What do wish to know about me?” She took a sip of her cocoa, loving the way it warmed her insides. “I should think my entire life is contained in your very thorough agent reports.”
He grinned as he drew out his chair, sat back, and drank his coffee. “Those reports did not tell me how beautiful you are. Or reveal you had taken up lodgings in my aunt’s home.”
“In the bedchamber usually reserved for you.”
His smile was tender as he said, “It was a delightful surprise.”
She laughed and dug into her plate of eggs. “Shocking, humiliating, appalling. I would hardly call our meeting delightful. Speaking of which, what am I to say if Mrs. Harcourt asks how the two of us first met?”
