Page 35 of In Search of a Husband
“Do you have honey?”
He nodded, searching the shelves in the kitchen before finding the small ceramic pot.
Miss Bancroft didn’t add the honey to her tea. Instead, she laid thesliced apple and cheese over the bread and drizzled honey on top. She took a bite and closed her eyes as if savoring the taste.
“It’s delicious this way. You should try it,” she urged, pushing the honey pot across the small table toward him. “This honey is spectacular. I feel as if I’m eating sunshine.”
He laughed to himself, amused at the way everything was a small wonder to her. When he took a bite, he was forced to admit that she was correct.
“Do ye enjoy cooking?” he asked.
“I was never allowed in the kitchen.” She stirred her tea, leaning her elbow on the table. “Not that you inquired during our short correspondence, but I speak several languages, play the pianoforte… even if not well, and am well versed in drawing and dancing. I was raised to be the perfect lady.”
He swallowed, staring at his teacup. “I never doubted yer qualifications. Ye came highly recommended.”
“Given the scandal, I doubt that. But thank you for the confidence boost, nevertheless.”
He glanced up, meeting her eyes with his. His voice was raspy and low. “I dinna follow the London news.”
She chuckled, pushing back in her chair. He thought for a moment she might leave, but instead, she folded her leg up and hugged it close with one arm, holding her teacup in the other.
It was such an unguarded, intimate way to sit. He swallowed his surprise, quickly noting how sitting as she did only drew his attention to her long legs. The fabric from her plain navy-colored dress pooled onto the floor, revealing the toe of her worn boot.
“You wish for me to remain around the girls. You don’t believe I will bring about another scandal?”
He shook his head, worrying his lip between his teeth. He was sure this woman was the most frustrating creature he had ever met, but there was something so delicate about her, magical almost. Which only frustrated him further.
She quickly rubbed at her eyes, then waved her cup in the air, tea sloshing over the side. “Well, I didn’t love him anyhow.” When hedidn’t say anything, she continued, “You can go back to grumbling. I don’t wish to take up the rest of your night.”
“The ledgers might get jealous.”
Miss Bancroft smiled at him over the edge of her teacup, her big gray eyes bright and shining. “There you go again, Mr. MacInnes.”
“Gabriel.”
“Only if you call me Kate.”
“Of course.”
“Very well.”
They sat there in silence, studying one another in theeeriekitchen. Exhaustion pulled at his bones, yet he didn’t wish to leave. Didn’t wish to leave her.
“I have a plan,” he said, more out loud for himself than for Kate. It was a reminder that he had far too much to handle to further complicate matters.
She rested her chin on top of her bent knee and grinned. “Of course.”
“I only ask ye to trust me.”
“I think it’s the girls with the most to lose right now.”
“Aye, I agree. They shouldn’t be burdened with the weight of their father’s mistakes.”
“What about you?”
“My brother didn’t give a damn about anyone in his life. I left Scotland to prove him wrong, and still, I’m back here, picking up what he left behind.”
“My brothers won’t speak to me any longer.”
