Page 18 of The Lord Next Door I Wished For
She tilted her head back to look up at him and spoke through a smile and gritted teeth. “What have youdone?”
He arched his brows, torn between amusement and relief at the sight ofher. His Jane.
Well, not his Jane. Not yet, at least.
“There she is.” It slipped out under his breath and she narrowed her eyes slightly.
“There who is?” She went to tug her hand from his arm and he placed his other hand atop hers to keep her at his side.
“Thereyouare,” he said with a grin. “I’d wondered where the little spitfire from the other night had gone, but it seemed you were just hiding.”
“I’m not hiding,” she snapped. “I’m merely trying to get through this evening without bringing the wrath of my mother down on my head.”
His smile faded fast. “Is it as bad as all that at home?”
She blinked in surprise, but recovered quickly. “I don’t know yet. I’ve only been home for a few hours. But,” she added before he could intervene. “I would like tostayhome. At least long enough to enjoy my mare and visit my favorite places.”
He tipped his head to the side as he considered her. “The clearing by the lake?”
Her smile was so bright and so sudden, it caught him between the ribs and stole his breath. “You remember.”
“Of course I remember. You made me race you there every day for five summers straight.”
Her laughter was light and sweet and reminded him of long summer nights lying out under the stars.
“Perhaps my wish should have been to go back in time,” she sighed.
At least, that was what he’d thought she’d said. “What wish?”
“A wish made ‘round the maypole.” At his questioning look, she shook her head. “Never mind all that. I think I deserve an explanation, don’t you? What have you done that my mother sent for me so urgently?” She narrowed her eyes and repeated her earlier question. “What have you done?”
For a moment he considered feigning ignorance, but who would be fooled? Certainly not this girl who’d always known him so well. So instead, he teased. “I’d think a thank you was in order rather than an interrogation.”
“A thank you…” She narrowed her eyes even further. “Are you in jest? I cannot tell.”
He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “Did you not wish for an escape from the heat? For long rides with your horse and visits to your favorite meadow?”
She caught her lip between her teeth and he couldn’t help but stare. “I did wish for a horse,” she muttered.
“Er…pardon?” he said.
“But do you know why they brought me back here?” Her brows arched, and he found himself studying her delicate features. Her pert nose still held some freckles, but they were faded now and gave her high cheekbones and ivory complexion some much-needed color. Her hair was still red, but it was now a darker, gleaming shade rather than a carrot orange.
Oh yes, she was truly a beauty now.
But he suspected she had yet to realize it.
She leaned in closer, her brows knitted. “Stop looking at me like that or you’ll only encourage them.”
His chin jerked back in surprise. How had he been looking at her?
He glanced away, clearing his throat. He supposed he could guess…
Her words caught up with him belatedly. “Encourage them. What do you mean?”
She rolled her eyes dramatically and he only just squelched a smile. “I don’t know why you went to the trouble of asking that I join you here in the country…” She paused, pouted, and then added grudgingly, “Though I do appreciate it. Thank you.”
He gave a nod of acknowledgment.
