Page 22 of The Dreaming Beauty
Sir? He wished they would drop their formality, as they’d done before. It reminded him of all the things he had happily put out of his mind each time he had visited them. He must have done something to make them wary of him. But what?
“Shall we?” He put his arm out to Tansy. She accepted it but held herself at a greater distance to him than was necessary. Mrs. Wood and Mrs. Palmer only made it to the strawberry patch before Mrs. Wood exclaimed, “Look, Iris! The first batch of strawberries is ripe.”
“I’ll fetch our aprons and a basket,” Iris said, fleeing back to the house.
Mrs. Wood seemed to remember the others, and her expression grew conflicted. “We shan’t be long here. Go on ahead.”
Marcus chuckled and directed Tansy and Miss White to the willows. Once underneath the cascading branches, Marcus felt a glimmer of childlike excitement. It was an enchanting little spot.
Miss White dropped to her knees and went about making a path in the dirt from house to house.
Marcus stepped closer to Tansy. “Are you all artistic? Fairy houses and painting—such accomplishments.”
Tansy gave him a flat look. “Hardly accomplished, you mean.”
Did she truly not see how exceptional her abilities were? “Your painting of Rose Cottage is proof of your talent.”
“It was a love project, but I mostly sketch now.”
“If you loved it so much, why not paint more?”
Miss White answered for Tansy. “Supplies are expensive. You must know that.”
He didn’t, but he did not want them to feel bad. “Oh, of course. How silly of me. But I am sure your sketches are equally charming. After we are finished here, perhaps you can show them to me.”
Tansy shook her head. “Another time.”
How would he get her to confide in him about her dreams if she did not trust him with a few sketches? He lowered his voice. “I am no critic to be afraid of. You can trust me to be completely objective.”
“Can I?” She laughed softly.
“You can. I’ve remembered to keep your secrets, haven’t I?”
“I can imagine it was hard to contain yourself for a whole week.”
“Nearly impossible, but I am a man of my word and resisted the overwhelming temptation.”
“How much can I trust a man who is overwhelmed with temptation?” She stared at the long willow branches to the side of them and brought her hand up to play with the narrow leaves.
“I suppose you will have to try me and see for yourself.” His words were said too low, as if he were implying more than he was. He was no flirt, and yet bantering with Tansy seemed natural to him. He wanted her to trust him, but he must be careful not to give her any hope for anything beyond friendship. Clearing his throat, he added in a more natural tone, “Though, if you are not comfortable sharing your art with me today, I will be patient.”
Now he would be waiting to see her sketches and to hear what secrets she kept from him. He’d return again and again if he had to. He was a rational philosopher, not a theologist or a believer in divination, but he would give anything to understand the dream that had haunted him for so long. Besides, it was no chore being around this family and their beautiful niece.
Miss White stood and dusted her hands off on her skirt. “It is still missing something. What do you think, Tansy?”
“We could gather some rose petals for a bit of color.”
“Oh, can we?” Miss White hurried off before Tansy could answer.
Marcus parted the branches for Tansy to follow. Once she was through, he stopped her. “What changed today?”
“What do you mean?” They were in sight of Mrs. Wood and Mrs. Palmer, and her gaze went their way. It was as if they were back to the day she had awoken and Tansy was no longer comfortable in his company.
“You’re different today. You all are. Why the sudden formalities? It reminds me of—” He caught himself. Ah... they had found out about his brother.
“It reminds you of the Society you normally surround yourself with?” Tansy finished his sentence for him, and she was not wrong.
He shook his head. “There is no need to put on airs for me. I am not a duke.”
