“I want to become one of the largest landowners in England,” Winston replied.
Mattie bobbed her head. “That is rather ambitious.”
He felt a stab of disappointment at her words. “I know it seems impossible?—”
She interrupted him. “No, you misunderstood me,” she said. “It is ambitious, but if anyone can do it, you can.”
“Do you mean that?”
Her face softened. “We have known each other most of our lives, and although we have spent most of it fighting, I know the type of person you are. Stubborn. Infuriating. Pig-headed.”
“Is there a point in all of that?” he asked.
She grinned. “Despite all your many flaws, you are also one of the smartest people I know. And when you set your mind to something, you can do anything.”
Winston felt a warmth spread through him at her words. “Thank you, Mattie. That means a great deal to me.”
They stared at one another for a moment, and Winston couldn’t help but think how easy it would be to lean in and kiss her. But would she welcome the kiss?
The sound of wood snapping in the distance broke the tension, reminding him of the precariousness of their situation.
Mattie looked up at the trees and let out a long, drawn-out groan. “I should be heading back,” she said. “The dressmaker is arriving soon with our mourning gowns, and then I am accompanying Emma to the village.”
Before Winston could stop himself, he said, “I will join you.”
She eyed him curiously. “We are going into the village to shop for some ribbons. I daresay that you might be bored with such an endeavor.”
“It would be my pleasure,” he said. Drats. Why couldn’t he just stop speaking? But he already knew the answer. He found that he wanted to spend more time with Mattie, even if it meant going ribbon shopping.
“Very well,” Mattie responded. “To be honest, I am pleased that you will be accompanying us. Perhaps you can fix my sister.”
He chuckled. “I doubt I can do anything in sucha short time.”
“One can always hope,” Mattie said lightly.
Winston rose and held his hand out to assist her in rising. Mattie slipped her gloved hand into his and stood up. He didn’t release her hand right away, and she made no attempt to remove it.
“Mattie,” he said.
“Yes?” she breathed, her eyes searching his.
What did he want from Mattie? Nothing. But all of his thoughts had disappeared, and he found himself struggling to come up with something to say.
Isaac’s mocking voice came from behind them. “Have the rules of polite Society changed since I was young?”
Winston dropped Mattie’s hand and turned to face Isaac, shielding her from his view. “What are you doing here?” he demanded.
“I was merely out for a walk and I stumbled across you and Miss Bawden,” Isaac replied.
“Need I remind you that you are trespassing?” Winston growled.
Isaac shrugged. “I didn’t think you would mind since we are family and all,” he stated with a smirk.
Winston narrowed his eyes. “We are not family.”
Placing a hand over his heart, Isaac said, “But I am your uncle.”
“You need to go. Now!” Winston ordered.
