Page 12 of The Dreaming Beauty
“Yes, just there.” He pointed to the side of her mouth.
Her eyes widened, and she wiped at her mouth. She hadn’t expected him to say yes. A bit of jam came off her finger, and she wiped it clean with her napkin. “How embarrassing,” she muttered.
“It was probably those mischievous fairies.”
What had he just said? She coughed into her napkin. “Er, fairies?”
“They’re always striking when you least expect them. In this case, dumping a beautiful woman on the hearth in my library. They could have at least knocked on the door. Or even left you more appropriately clothed.”
“Oh, um...”
“Your surprise presence was not upsetting, so you can relax, but the sleeping curse they cast upon you to prevent me from even learning your identity was quite vexing. And now those dastardly fairies are making you uncomfortable during our breakfast together. I don’t know what your aunt sees in the little creatures.”
Tansy’s frown slipped. She should have taken offense, but his teasing alleviated some of the mortification she felt about her humiliating arrival.
His eyes went to her mouth, and she knew he’d caught the change in her expression. “I’m sorry if I’ve made you uncomfortable,” he said. “I promise it isn’t my intention.”
She saw her own uneasiness reflected back in his eyes. If he was as discomfited as she was, then he had hidden it well. Still, the glimpse she saw helped her relax, and a soft laugh slipped through her lips. “A private breakfast such as this... well, it’s no wonder we are both uncomfortable.”
“And we barely know more than each other’s names.”
She nodded, mimicking his easy tone. “We’re not even friends.”
“Shall we remedy that?” He sat back in his seat and folded his arms across his chest.
Now it was her turn to stare. Could she be friends with a man? It was a probable thing for some, but it never had been for her. Maybe it was exactly what she needed. Instead of aching for a husband, maybe she needed to start by finding a friend. “I think I would like that.” So long as he did not ask her about her dreams.
His smile grew. “Let it be known this is the first official day of friendship between Miss White and Mr. Taylor.” He took the scone off his plate and set it on hers. “And, fortunately for you, this friend is remarkably generous.”
Something in her stomach fluttered, and Tansy told herself it was just the excitement of another scone.
Mr. Taylor ate slowly and watched as if he was worried she would not eat enough. When she finished, he gave her a satisfied smile. “Would you like to rest in the drawing room while I have the carriage readied?”
Her eyes went to the large window elegantly dressed in crème curtains. “Would you care if I take a short walk and exercise my legs? I am not used to being down for so long.”
“If you think you’re up for it, the ground is damp, but the rain has cleared. Would you mind some company?”
She stood and pushed her chair under the table. “Not at all. You are welcome to join me.”
“Excellent. I was planning on walking to the dowager’s house this morning to speak with her butler. It’s an easy walk, but a pretty one.”
A few minutes later, they were walking on a cobblestone path through a line of trees with Betsy trailing a few feet behind them. The scent of wood and damp earth permeated the air. Tansy heard running water nearby, but as the dower house came into view, she forgot to ask about it. The house’s outer stone matched that of the great house, although that was where the similarity ended, as it cast a significantly smaller shadow. In fact, it was roughly the dimensions of Rose Cottage.
As they drew closer, a door opened to an upper balcony, and a woman stepped out, not old but not young either. Her hair was black as night, a shade darker than her gown. It fell wild and loose in the cool breeze. Her skin contrasted in appearance, white and soulless.
When the woman noticed them on the path, her eyes first went to Mr. Taylor and then froze on Tansy. There was something so familiar about the unnerving woman. And then Tansy remembered. She had seen this woman before.
In her dreams.
Mr. Taylor lifted his hand to wave, but the woman disappeared back inside.
“Who is she?” Tansy asked, barely resisting the urge to grab his arm.
“That’s the dowager duchess. Don’t be too offended at her behavior. I haven’t spoken to her once in all the time I have lived here. She is not the current duke’s mother but is the widow of the previous duke.”
“It sounds like a unique situation.”
“Quite, but it works for the families. Come. I will take you to the carriage and return at a better time to speak with her butler.”
