The Lady's Second-Chance Suitor by Scott, Regina (christmas read aloud txt) 📗

Just then Rob’s gaze lit on one of the shops closest to theharbor, and inspiration struck.

“Ellison’s Bakery,” he said, eyeing the sign over the halfdoor. “I seem to recall Father praising its wares.”

“Wasn’t it cinnamon buns?” Elizabeth asked, fond smilereappearing.

“Mr. Ellison is rather famous for them,” Hesteracknowledged.

“And is there something in particular your sister or LadyMiranda favors?” Rob asked her.

“Rosemary has mentioned a particular bread with carawayseeds,” she said, frown gathering as if she wasn’t sure why he had asked.

“I’ll take that as a recommendation.” Rob headed for thedoor. “Give me a few moments, then I’ll join you. Bascom, stay with theladies.”

Mr. Ellison, a broad fellow who could as easily have beenthe village blacksmith, readily agreed to Rob’s plan. And he added six of hissucculent cinnamon buns for Rob to take home.

As they started up the street for the carriage, Elizabethlagged behind with Bascom, sniffing deeply, as if she would inhale the buns inthe box he carried.

“I know you’ll enjoy those,” Hester said beside Rob, “butit’s a shame you didn’t find a gift to your liking.”

He could leave her with that impression, perhaps inveigleanother trip for the purpose of finding a present, but he could not bringhimself to lie to her again. “Actually, I found just what I was seeking. It’sunconventional, but then, so am I.”

Hester glanced his way again. “Do I dare ask what you’vedone?”

Rob smiled. “Thanks to your recommendation, Mr. Ellison willbe delivering fresh bread and sweet treats to the castle for the next year onbehalf of the Peverells.”

She stopped, forcing him up as well. Elizabeth nearlycollided with them before catching herself. Even Bascom stumbled, juggling thepackages to keep them from dropping.

Hester’s blue-green eyes were shining, like sunlight reflectingoff the waters of the cove. “Rob, that is beyond kind. It will mean so much toRosemary, Lady Miranda, and the earl. It’s a clever gift that helps withoutshaming them for their current situation. Thank you.”

Was that heat in his cheeks? He couldn’t remember the lasttime he’d blushed. “I would hope for the same kindness should I be in asituation not of my making.”

She nodded thoughtfully. “I’ll remember that.”

Elizabeth pushed past him with an arch look. “So will I.”She lowered her voice as Hester started forward. “Because the last time Ichecked, Brother, you are in a situation not of your own making. Have somepatience with yourself.”

Perhaps when he’d grown into his role. He might not haveinherited Howland’s financial troubles, but he had a long way to go to fill hisfather’s place.

~~~

Hester kept glancing at Rob as the coach carried them backtoward Upper Grace. He sat beside her, swaying with the coach’s movement, hisbroad shoulder bumping hers, his trousers brushing her skirts. She knew when hesighed and when his gaze dropped to his gloved hands on his thighs. When heaimed his smile at her, her heart felt the hit.

Yet, who was he? The man she’d known seven years ago would nothave thought of that kind gesture of delivering bread to a family too proud toadmit openly it was in need. Was it possible he truly had changed?

She roused herself as they came into Upper Grace and had himdirect his coachman around the back of the house after they had alighted, whereher family coachman would help him see to the horses and provide somerefreshment. She sent young Ike Bascom, who was apparently acting as footmanduring Rob and Elizabeth’s visit, to the kitchen for refreshment as well beforeescorting her guests into the sitting room.

Her mother rose from the sofa to greet them. “Lord Peverell,Miss Peverell, you honor us.”

“On the contrary,” Elizabeth said, moving to join her. “Youhonor us by your invitation. You are the very first to think of including us.”

“Well,” her mother said, turning a pleased pink, “Icertainly won’t be the last. Please, have a seat. Tea should be here shortly.”

Elizabeth sat on the sofa beside Hester’s mother, but Robcould not seem to decide where to land. He moved from the wood-wrapped hearthto the curtained window and back to the sofa.

A clatter on the stairs warned Hester a moment beforeRebecca burst into the room. “Mama!”

She caught her as her daughter careened into her. “Rebecca,we have company. Please greet Lord Peverell and his sister.”

Her daughter turned dutifully, though she pressed herselfback into Hester’s skirts. “Thank you for coming to see us, Lord Peverell, MissPeverell. I hope you are well.”

Rob came around the sofa to smile at her. “Quite well. Andyou?”

“Tolerable,” Rebecca allowed, and Hester had to hide a grinat the big word.

As her mother smiled, Elizabeth edged over and patted thesofa beside her. “Why don’t you sit by me, Miss Todd, while we wait for tea?”

“She called me Miss Todd,” Rebecca whispered with a giggleto Hester.

“And you should answer her,” Hester reminded her.

Rebecca raised her chin and minced across the room to pushherself up onto the sofa. “Don’t mind if I do, Miss Peverell.”

The housemaid came in then with a plate of biscuits. Shemust have enlisted Ike’s help, for he carried a tray with the tea and cups. Hermother began dispensing the brew. Rob finally consented to sit near Hester onone of the armchairs.

“Did you enjoy the shops, Miss Peverell?” her mother askedas the plate of biscuits began making its rounds. Rebecca watched the progress,and Hester watched Rebecca.

“They were delightful,” Elizabeth said. “Do you have afavorite?”

“All the Colors of the Sea,” her mother admitted. “I’m veryfond of the tatted collars.” She fingered the knotwork at her neck as if toprove it.

Oh, but Hester knew where this was going. Before she couldthink of a way to steer the conversation in another direction, Elizabeth tookthe bait.

“Oh, that is lovely. A local tatter, I take it?”

“Indeed,” her mother said with a proud smile. “Hester makesthem to raise money for the dame school.”

“Does she indeed?” Now Rob’s smile was nearly as proud.

“I do,” Hester told him defensively.

Elizabeth leaned closer to Rebecca. “Perhaps you and yourgrandmother could help me decide what type of collar would look best on me.”

“A pink one,” Rebecca said. “I like pink.”

“So do I,” Elizabeth assured her, and all at once the threeof them