Page 27 of His Perfect Bride
“You could take as long as you need to do so.” His tone held sincerity, as if he really did care about her family’s welfare.
She swiped at the fine hairs that littered his shirt collar. “You’re kind, Mr. Lennox. But it just wouldn’t be right?—”
“After all you’ve done for Augusta…and for me since your arrival…it’s the least I can do.”
She paused in her wiping. Should she consider his offer? It would be so wonderful to know that her dad and sisters were on their way, that they would all be together again, and that they could start a new life here.
“Please think about it?”
She stared down at the grass and twisted the tip of her boot. She could at least ponder the option, couldn’t she?
“Consider it part of my payment for your willingness to give the shaggy beast a much-needed haircut and shave.”
Remorse cut through her, and she lifted her gaze to his again. “Mr. Lennox, please. I called you that out of frustration but did not mean it.”
Sadness rimmed his eyes. “I regret I have been so focused on my own problems that I’ve neglected to think about anyone else.”
For the first time since she’d started cutting his hair, she stood back and took in the full effect of her work. As she swept her gaze over him, she drew in a sharp breath. The transformation was incredible.
“What’s wrong?” He lifted a hand to his head as though maybe he’d find a bald spot.
“Nothing’s wrong.”
He had a very nice-looking face—suave, clean-cut, and refined. But taken as a whole, from his neatly trimmed hair, chiseled features, and long, lean body, he was incredibly handsome, especially with such unique gray-blue eyes.
He was the kind of fashionable gentleman who would draw everyone’s attention as he strolled down a main thoroughfare. In fact, he was so debonair that she could picture him as a prince walking out of Buckingham Palace to the fanfare of ladies waving and smiling and vying for his attention.
“You don’t like how I look now?” A note of worry edged his voice.
“Oh, I do.” She tried to dampen her enthusiasm. She didn’t want him to know she’d just been thinking about how handsome he was. That would be much too embarrassing. “You cleaned up very nicely, and Augusta will be delighted.”
He peered at her as intensely as he always did, as though trying to see more deeply into her mind. But somehow this time, without all the scruff to hide his forceful personality and his attractive face, she felt a little bit like she had at the equator during her voyage there, the sun shining directly upon her, more concentrated and powerful, the heat of the rays making her suddenly too warm, and even weak.
He rubbed a hand over his bare chin. “I suppose I look like a different person entirely.”
“Very different, yes.” She needed to look away from him, but she was too fascinated by his face now that it was visible.
“My face does feel rather strange and bare.”
“And cold?”
His lips twitched. Was that the beginning of a smile? What could she say that would bring the smile out completely?
She wasn’t naturally witty or humorous. She couldn’t banter for the life of her. She was actually too serious most of the time. Why at the moment did she care about any of that? This was Jackson, not a potential suitor.
She needed to clean up the supplies she’d brought out and then start on the list of tasks that still needed to be done before the dinner party.
“Something must be odd,” he remarked quietly, “since you’re still staring at me.”
“No.” She tore her gaze from him and stooped to pick up several items from the grass. “I apologize for staring. It was rude of me.”
“It’s not rude. I like it.” The moment he spoke the words, he pushed up from the chair and ducked out from underneath the tree.
He liked that she was staring at him? That was an odd thing for him to say. Regardless, the words put her at ease, and she let her shoulders relax. The least she could do was put him at ease too. “You look grand, dapper even.”
The stiffness in his posture fell away, and he seemed almost peaceful. With his back facing her, he tilted his face up and let the sun bathe his skin.
He stood that way for a moment, and even from behind, she couldn’t keep from admiring him. He did, indeed, look like another man altogether with the short-clipped hair and clean-shaven face.
