Page 58 of A Duke for Stealing
Rose’s smile faded a little at the unintended harshness of Leah’s truthful words, but when she looked at Everett, she saw him nod.
“That is usually true, Leah,” he agreed, “However, today is just for us. If you shall allow me the honor of your company.”
Diana looked ready to say yes, but Leah grabbed her hand and gave her uncle an inspective look.
“If we are truly going on an adventure, then we shall need a knight to accompany us,” Leah replied.
Everett gave her a most serious look as he nodded and stood up.
“Well then, a knight you shall have,” he replied with a dramatic flair. “And a knight you shall need. For we are journeying to the great lake where the water dragon lurks.”
“An adventure indeed!” Leah exclaimed, finally showing more of her excitement. “But wait! You will need to protect Lady Rose as well.”
Everett raised his eyes toward Rose, and the smirk that touched his face as his gaze grew warm sent not an itch- but a tingle down her spine.
“Oh, of course, we must all protect Lady Rose,” he replied.
She bit back her smile as she shook her head at him. There was no denying it. The two of them were getting closer by the day.
“Come along, girls, let us saddle up,” Rose said, clapping her hands as she stepped to join them. “Mrs. Mulberry has packed us a lovely picnic basket to enjoy once we make it there.”
With both twins now heartily excited for the adventure, they followed instructions willingly. Everett swung Diana up upon the saddle first, then Rose. Though she did not miss the way his hands lingered on her hips or squeezed her thigh once she wasup on the saddle. He gave her a flirtatious wink as she looked down at him, then went to his own mount. With care, he placed Leah in front of the saddle, then swung himself up to take his place behind her. Together they took off down the gravel road, and the four of them enjoyed the peaceful ride to the lake.
The moment they were let down from their saddles, the twins took off toward the bank.
“Do be careful, girls!” Rose shouted.
“We are well!” Leah called back, brandishing a fallen stick. “We are preparing to fight the dragon!”
Rose took a tentative step toward them as Leah found another stick and handed it to Diana. As if they both had the same idea, they began an imaginary swordplay.
“Girls!” She called again, but as she tried to take a step toward them, she felt Everett’s hand on her shoulder.
“Let them,” Everett urged, his eyes on his nieces. “I have never seen them play this freely.”
“What if they hurt themselves?” Rose asked.
He glanced down at her, gave her shoulder another squeeze.
“What if they don’t?” He asked.
Though still apprehensive, Rose stayed put and allowed the girls to play. As she watched them battle pretend dragons and other mythical creatures, she relaxed. The girls were careful with their swings toward one another, only clashing their sticks together at the very top and away from one another’s faces. It was only when they faced their pretend foes that they gave heavy whacks and shrill battle cries.
“They are remarkable little creatures,” Everett murmured after a while.
Rose turned to him, saw the love and wonder in his eyes as he looked at his nieces and nephews, and felt her affection toward Everett deepen. She had thought at one time that he was a man who could only care for himself, but now? Now she was starting to see that even if that was true at one time, he was changing.
“Stay,” Rose encouraged, putting a familiar hand to his shoulder, “Watch them have their fun. Perhaps join in. I am going to go lay out the picnic.”
Everett’s green eyes turned to her, that affectionate warmth still shining within them.
“I can help you,” he offered.
Rose shook her head.
“I have been blessed to see this every day. You have not,” she replied. “I shall tend to the nibbles.”
An appreciative smile touched Everett’s lips, and he gave a relenting nod before he turned his focus back to the girls. As Rose walked toward the picnic basket, she found herself humming and smiling.
