Page 64 of Not Exactly Mr. Darcy
Liv sighed. “I think I might’ve been a little too ambitious. I get excited about things, and then I always feel this sense of trepidation when they draw near.”
“That’s just nerves,” George said.
“I know. And I’m conscious that lots of people have given up so much of their time that to delay it now would be hard on them. So I guess we have to keep going.”
“Especially now that it’s been reported in the paper,” Liam said dryly.
She glanced at him quickly. “I didn’t mention you once. Well, he tried to bring you into it, but Gran cut him off, so you were safe.”
Her eagerness to defend him touched him. She might get passionate about things, but she seemed to hold a loyalty that ran deeper than others he’d come across who had known his family for years. “I appreciate it.”
She nodded, glancing around. “Is there something I can do?”
“We need to clean down all of the shelves. Sorry, but I think your little furry friends have been in here.”
Her nose wrinkled. “Ugh. I can smell them.” She pointed to the high-set window. “Does that open?”
He pushed the lever until it opened, releasing more fresh air to the space, then stripped off his gloves. “If you’re going to be working in here you’ll probably need some gloves. Here.” He lobbed them to her. She caught them. “Nice catch.”
“I used to play cricket with my sisters back in the day.”
“You did?”
“Back in the high school day, so a million years ago.”
“Come on,” he scoffed. “You’ve got to be only mid-twenties.”
“Late twenties, but thank you.” She shot him a sweet smile.
One that filtered right to his bones. He liked pleasing her, liked the way this woman made him feel that he needn’t be entirely defined by the past. She held an air of possibility, the way she was always looking forward, anticipating opportunity, rather than expecting more regrets.
He realized he was still staring at her, and that George had noticed and was smirking again. He shook his head at her and moved to the door. “I should probably leave you to it.”
“You’re not staying?” George asked. “Come on. You know you want to stay.”
“George …”
“I’m grateful you took time out to help us here, especially when I know you’re so busy,” Liv said. “Thank you.”
He ducked his head, words suddenly far away. Why did spending time with this woman make him feel valued, feel seen, in a way he hadn’t felt in years? He cleared his throat. “You’re welcome.”
“Hey, before you go, can you rustle up some hot water for us?” his sister asked. “If we’re going to clean this room properly, we’ll need to scour every spot.”
“You’d be quicker with the gurney,” he said.
Liv’s eyes widened. “Would that work?”
He’d been joking. Half joking anyway. Then he shrugged. “If it’s not on full bore, then probably. There are only a few shelves worth salvaging. The stuff in here is too old or eaten to matter.” Liv shuddered, and he remembered her aversion to rodents. “Sorry.”
“I’m sorry I’m such a wuss.”
“You? A wuss? Please.” George laughed.
He wanted to encourage Liv, like she did him. “You’re tougher than any woman I’ve known.”
“Rude,” George said.
“True,” he countered, glad to see Liv’s lips lift again. His cheeks heated, and he turned back to his sister. “If you two shift those things you want to save into the courtyard, I’ll go get the hose and we can clean this place out quickly.”
