Page 39 of The Trouble with a Dare

“Aye, money well spent, though it broke our backs and cost a pretty penny.”

Sterling’s lips twitched, remembering the fine battle he’d fought with the man who said it was a waste of money and the soil would never be fit for anything. It was as close to an apology as he’d get, and that was fine.

“Ah, now there’s a purty sight,” the fellow said, puffing away to get his pipe to draw. He used the stem to gesture across the field. “An’ the day begun very glum and grey, and now the sun comes out.”

Sterling turned to see what he was looking at and felt his heart give an odd little skip in his chest as he saw Grace walking towards him. She saw him looking and raised her hand to wave. He waved back without thinking, smiling with pleasure as she drew closer. Feeling eyes upon him, he looked to his bailiff to the find the man grinning at him.

“Ah, she’s got thee smiling, reckoned that was why you’re in good harness this mornin’. Well, I’d best leave you to your hussing and bussing in private, eh?”

Much to his discomfort, Sterling felt a tinge of colour heat his cheeks and glowered at the man who strode off, chuckling to himself as he went. Grace greeted him as they passed, and the bailiff doffed his cap and turned back to give Sterling an insolent wink before he hurried off.

Sterling grumbled under his breath but found the teasing in no way diminished the pleasure of having Grace set out to find him.

“What’s all this then?” he said by way of greeting, unable to disguise the fact he was ridiculously happy to see her.

“I made you a treat,” she said, gesturing to the basket she carried.

“Made?” he queried, moving closer to lift the cloth. “For me?”

“Of course for you,” she said, laughing.

“Plum heavies,” he said, grinning on seeing the little currant studded biscuits. “I haven’t had one since I was a child. Gran used to make them for me.”

Grace reached into the basket and took one out, offering it to him. Unable to resist the temptation, instead of taking it from her hand, he leaned in and opened his mouth. She hesitated for a moment before popping it into his mouth.

Sterling chewed appreciatively.

“Good?” she asked, her obvious desire for praise making him want to tease her.

He frowned, considering. “Another,” he said.

Obediently, she fed him another, and he adopted a thoughtful expression as he ate it. “Hmmm.”

“Well?” she demanded, a little impatient now.

“One more.”

Huffing a little, she plucked another biscuit from the basket and put it in his mouth. Sterling held her gaze as he chewed. “Not bad, I suppose,” he said, shrugging.

She gaped at him in outrage, and he laughed.

“Oh, you!” she exclaimed, only now realising she was being teased. She pushed at his chest in annoyance, which only made him laugh harder for it was akin to a gentle pat from her slender wrist and made not the least impression on his bulk.

“They’re delicious, love,” he said, staring down at her and wondering if he ought to try to contain the giddy happiness that filled his chest whenever she was near.

Yet that was a forlorn hope, as useless as attempting to hold back the tide. She had become necessary to his life in such a short time, and he lived for the moments he was with her, moving through the hours in between like he was merely marking time.

She beamed with pleasure at the compliment, and he caught her hand in his turning it palm up. “You ought not be dirtying your hands with work though,” he chided gently. “Ladies don’t cook, to my knowledge.”

Even the little sound of irritation she made delighted him, causing him to reflect that he was in a sorry state.

“Mixing a bit of pastry is not exactly hard labour, Sterling,” she said, rolling her eyes at him. “Besides which, I like to cook treats for you. It pleases me, and as it is my mother who taught me how, I hardly think you can object, or is Lady Rothborn not ladylike enough for you?”

“Pax, love!” he said, laughing, and raised her hand to press it to his cheek. “I meant no insult to either of you, and I am very pleased you thought of me. It has made my day, little wren.”

She flushed then and her eyes drifted to his mouth. Desire hit him, hard and fast, and suddenly it was an effort to breathe. He turned his face into the hand he held and pressed his mouth to her palm. Her breathing hitched. Sterling reached out with his other hand, catching her about the waist and pulling her close to him.

“S-Someone will see,” she stammered, gazing up at him. She was all big grey eyes, the overcast skies reflected back at him, full of storms and secrets.