Sneaking a peek at him from under her hat brim, she sighed inwardly at his handsome profile. Not many women would refuse such a man. So, why had she?
“If you are not tired, we could cross over and walk through the Domain?”
She glanced up at him and smiled nervously. “I am not tired.”
He raised his hand as though to place it over hers, but slowly lowered it back to his side. “I had intentions of calling on you this afternoon.”
“Oh?” Her stomach clenched at the thought.
“On Frances’s behalf.”
“I see.” Disappointment echoed through her, which made her frown in surprise. What did it matter if he wasn’t coming to see her for himself? What did she expect? It was intolerable to be so confused and it was all his fault.
“She is extremely distressed, Miss Douglas, and begs your forgiveness.”
Nicola gazed over to the harbour in the distance. The park was littered with people enjoying the warm day. She wished she strolled peacefully and without this man beside her. How could she enjoy the park and the view when her head swam with thoughts and questions and her body…
“Will you forgive her?”
She bowed her head and went to sit on a bench under a large Norfolk pine tree. Arranging her skirts, she avoided looking at him. “Do you know what she said to me, Mr West?”
“I do. She had no right to say what she did, and she knows that.” Taking off his hat, he ran his fingers through his dark hair and Nicola watched him in guilty pleasure. He caught her staring and smiled a slow smile full of warmth and something else, something devilish.
Jerking to her feet, Nicola fiddled with her reticule. It was madness to be in his company. She lost all reason with him near. “I must return. Thank you for the walk.”
His hand shot out and stopped her as she went to rush by him. “Don’t go…please.” The anxious concern in his eyes melted her resistance.
“Tell Frances I do forgive her.” She stared down at the grass, her mind whirling. Why did she have such a response to this man? Her traitorous body yearned for his touch. This was never in her plans when she sailed from England. She came to teach, to have a career and be independent, to rely on no one.
“Nicola…” He said her name on a sigh as soft as a night’s breeze and she swayed gently towards him. His hand inched up her arm, burning the skin beneath his fingers. “Look at me…”
She dragged her gaze to his face and saw the same yearning reflected in his eyes. His lips parted and she sucked in a breath, thinking he would kiss her, but a child’s cry from nearby broke the magic around them and they both jumped guiltily.
“I must go.” With one hand she lifted her skirts high enough for her to hurry from him, her cheeks burning and her breath caught in her throat.
Chapter Ten
A bang from above her head made Nicola wince. The labourers she’d hired to move the furniture from the old house and into the new one were clumsy and lazy. Already they had dropped a crate of kitchen crockery and broken several things inside. Between them and the maid, Hannah, there would be nothing left.
“Nicola,” Meg called from the other room.
Sighing, she left the unpacking of the drawing room and crossed the entry hall to the parlour opposite where crates and furniture were piled haphazardly. “What is the matter? And must you call me as though I’m your dog? I am extremely busy and do not need to keep running to you.”
“Oh, do shush, Nicola. Lord, you’ll have a heart seizure if you don’t calm down, and then how will we be? Now come, look what just arrived.” Meg beamed, pointing to the huge display of flowers sitting on the new piano Mr Belfroy had delivered this morning. “Read the card.”
Nicola took the little white card from the bouquet and read.
Wishing you all the very best of
happiness in this new venture,
Frances and Nathaniel West
“How kind of them.” Meg sniffed the white roses nestled amongst the lilies and greenery. “You are fortunate to have such friends.” She grinned, running her fingers over the piano keys. “As well as me, of course.”
“Of course.” Nicola laughed and tucked the card in her skirt pocket. There wasn’t time to ponder on the gift now, or on those who had sent it, she had so much more to do.