Page 35 of The Dreaming Beauty
“If you insist. Thank you again, Your Grace.” After she curtsied, the duke dipped his head and waved her away.
Mr. Taylor held out his arm and she took it, the familiar flutter in her stomach returning. Had she not been beside a very handsome duke all morning? And why did her body continue to betray her mind? Hadn’t she told herself over and over again not to react to Mr. Taylor?
Her aunts made their way inside ahead of them.
“I am sending you home in our carriage,” Mr. Taylor said at the door. “The sun is getting a bit too hot for your aunts.”
Her aunts had been in the shade. Daisy might complain about the heat, but Aster and Iris rarely complained. This was simply Mr. Taylor being his usual generous self. “Thank you,” Tansy said, hoping her sincerity was evident.
They stepped inside the drawing room, where a maid extended a small plate with Tansy’s favorite scone and a drink of lemonade. Her aunts were already happily eating from plates of their own. She accepted her plate and nearly started drooling. She remembered this culinary creation all too well.
“Come sit down. You have been standing for too long.” Mr. Taylor gestured toward the sofa, and they sat beside each other.
“Did you request this?” Tansy lifted her plate.
“I figured you might be hungry after your lesson.”
His words were careful and a touch less confident than usual.
Tansy dove right into the scone, proving her gratitude. It was just as heavenly as before, and the lemonade was refreshingly cool. She’d had no idea how hungry she had become. “Mr. Taylor, you are a godsend.”
“I never knew.” He chuckled, watching her eat. “Are you going to tell me what you made of your lesson?”
She wiped her lips on a napkin. “Your brother is an incredible teacher. His talent is enormous.”
“I am happy you are learning.”
“He makes it feel like a game, not work.”
Mr. Taylor studied her for a moment. “Good. I am glad you get along.”
Did he want them to get along? She could see no trace of jealousy, disapproval, or hesitation. He simply seemed... reflective? There was no reason to be disappointed, but her pride must have wanted to see something she did not. She forced her lips into a grin and held up the remaining bite of scone. “This, though, made a wonderful day into the best sort of day.”
Mr. Taylor’s eyes held hers, and she sensed a question there. Had she been too forward in her words? The sweetness on her lips had made her forget herself. For a woman determined to keep all men at bay, her longing to be near him defied all her resolutions. She opened her mouth to say something else—anything else—when Daisy called her name.
“Oh, Tansy, you must see what Mr. Taylor gave me!” Her aunt set aside her teacup and hurried over to her. “Look!” She thrust two little wooden chairs into Tansy’s lap.
Tansy picked one up and studied the tiny piece of furniture, no bigger than her palm. Now, this was art. “Why, it’s darling!”
Daisy nodded. “He made it himself too.”
Tansy blinked in surprise. “You are a man of many talents.”
Mr. Taylor shifted uncomfortably. “It was a pleasure to do it. I cannot wait to see them in your fairy houses.”
Daisy beamed. “Oh, Mr. Taylor, you have made me most happy! I am certain this will be the perfect touch to bring the fairies to us.”
A lump formed in Tansy’s throat, and she blinked rapidly to avoid the accumulating moisture. Few people outside of their family showed Daisy real kindness. This—Tansy swallowed—this simple gesture meant so much. She stood, knowing she needed to leave before her emotions got the better of her. “We should hurry home and put these chairs to good use.”
Mr. Taylor stood too. “I will see if the carriage is ready.”
Tansy let him go, knowing arguing about a ride home was futile. He wasn’t anything like Mr. Robinson, was he? Not even the slightest bit.
Once settled in the conveyance, she and her aunts waved goodbye to Mr. Taylor. Daisy hugged her wooden chairs and sighed, resting her head on Tansy’s shoulder. Tansy relaxed against her, happy Daisy was happy.
“He seems to be a good man,” Aster said from across the bench to no one in particular.
Tansy peered out the window. “Yes, Mr. Taylor has been most kind.”
