Page 95 of Romancing Daphne

Daphne began another bundle of sage. If the size of her basket was anyindication, she’d be working with the herbs for some time. James lookedaround the room as she worked.

“There must be a dozen varieties in here.”

“Twelve, exactly.” She looked up from her work, a light in her eyes James hadn’t seen since their falling out.“There are twice that many to prepare at the castle. I am hoping Adam will allow us to return earlier than expected so I won’t run out of time before the cold comes.”

“You enjoy this.”

Daphne nodded, an actual smile beginning on her face. James enjoyed seeing it.

“Do you have a favorite of those twenty-four?”

“Catmint,” she said. “It is used to treat infectious fevers.”

“Why is it your favorite?”

“It is so useful, an essential part of any herbalist’s collection. Yet few people have any idea what it is.” Here was the animation James had missed seeing in her.“And being in the mint family, it has such a wonderful fragrance if a person gets close enough to experience it. When it flowers, the blooms are so quietly beautiful, simple, and elegant.”

“Will you tell me about the others?”

She looked surprised at the request.“What? All of them?”

James nodded. He truly wished to hear more. She was happier talking about herbs than she’d been since his arrival at Falstone House.

“Let us start with—” He looked around a moment before settling on a prickly looking bundle hanging on the opposite side of the room. He held a hand out to her. Daphne’s attention was fixed on the various hanging herbs, her brows knit in thought. She accepted his hand, though he doubted she realized what she’d done. He led her to the herb he meant to start with.“This one.”

She kept her hand in his.“Rosemary. Very efficacious in treating headaches. And this”—she indicated another bundle nearby—“is soapwort. Excellent for treating boils.” She reached with her free hand for a jar nearby, filled with a collection of something horn shaped.“Comfrey root,” she said.“It is also called knit-bone. It’s used to treat injuries.”

He walked about the herb room with her, listening to her vast store of knowledge. She knew the herbs and oils and dried roots on sight. She could list their uses and, he fully suspected, knew precisely how to prepare any tisane or poultice called for.

“You amaze me.” He meant every word.“Is there anything you don’t know?”

A very becoming touch of color pinked her cheeks. Next to a fleeting glimpse of her dimple, he enjoyed seeing her color above almost anything. Not that he wanted to embarrass her. It was simply such a sincere reaction. Too many people of his acquaintance weren’t genuine. He had liked that about her from the beginning.

“What else can I do for you?” He truly wished to be of service in whatever way he could. Her happiness and well-being had become essential to his own.

“You needn’t actually stay if you’ve other things to attend to,” she said,settling herself at the worktable once more.“I’ll only be tying up herbs.”

James took his previous position as well. He missed the feel of herhand in his and wondered if she’d even noticed the gesture.“I have a hanging talent I need to put to use.”

She smiled at him then, a small one but a smile just the same. James would hang herbs with her all day for a fleeting glimpse of that dimple of hers.

It was a shame, really, that thetoncouldn’t see her in that moment. Shewas so capable, so confident. Her passion for these herbs and the obvious years of study she’d invested lit her up in a way no one ever saw. No gentleman seeing the sparkle in her eyes as she worked could resist falling at least a little in love with her. It was little wonder he was finding himself in precisely that position.

He loved Daphne a little more every time he was with her. And heknew with utter certainty that he wouldn’t be the only one to fall under her spell. She was slowly but surely shedding the paralyzing timidity that had kept her hidden from Society’s view. She would likely always be quiet andsubdued, but she wouldn’t go unnoticed.

Gentlemen would begin courting and wooing her, and one of themwould succeed in earning her love in return. That someone, however, wouldnot likely be him. For he was Apollo, the one man she could never trust again.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Daphne could not make headsnor tails of James Tilburn. He had become surprisingly attentive. They had regained something of their previous affinity, but questions lurked in her mind.

Why had he suddenly renewed his interest? What were his intentions? Did his tender treatment of her indicate deeper feelings, or did he merelyfeel sorry for her or guilty about his previous behavior?

“I confess I had no idea Africa had been so intricately divided,” Jamessaid, holding up a particularly odd-shaped puzzle piece.

“The continent rather begged to be made into a jigsaw puzzle, did it not?” Daphne stringently kept to the most neutral of topics. She enjoyed conversations with him but felt far too vulnerable to delve into anything of a personal nature.

“We had a puzzle very like this as children.” James tried to fit his piece in, but it wouldn’t go.“It was of Europe, however, and not nearly so difficult. Your geography lessons must have been brutal.”

---