Page 21 of Love Wasn’t Built in a Day

Gideon glanced from Hetty to her sister. He ought to be at work, there was an endless list of things he’d hoped to get through today, and yet…

“Thank you,” he said, drawing out a chair.

Hetty smiled at him, pleasure shining in her eyes, but the moment he sat down, he wished he had not. He did not belong amongst these leisurely ladies and gentlemen, passing the time in pleasant idleness. It was too late to change his mind now, though.

“The ices are excellent. Have you tried them?”

Gideon shook his head. “No. I often have breakfast here, sometimes dinner too, but I’ve never tried the ices.”

“Whyever not? They’re marvellous,” she said, with almost childlike enthusiasm. “Here, try mine.”

She pushed the small bowl of flavoured ice towards him before he could protest.

“It’s raspberry,” she told him with undisguised glee.

Gideon frowned down at the dish of bright pink ice. “No, I—”

“Oh, don’t be such a stick in the mud. Just taste it,” she said, and there was an impatient edge to her voice now.

“I ought to be getting back to the site,” he muttered, jittery with the desire to return and see what had happened in his absence.

“Mr Bramwell, the site will not fall into chaos because you had the temerity to stop and take a spoonful of flavoured ice.”

Gideon looked up to discover a remarkably fierce glint in her eyes.

“Don’t you ever relax?” she asked him.

He looked away from her, a little disturbed by the concern in her lovely eyes. Reluctantly, he picked up the spoon as he considered the question. Relax? No, in truth, he did not know how. It seemed there was always something to worry about, some disaster to avert, something broken that needed mending, some outrageous bill he must find the means to pay. He stared at the pink ice, realising in that moment that he was weary beyond bearing. Not physically, but mentally.

How nice it would be if everything would just stop. Just for a moment.

Digging the little silver spoon into the ice, he lifted it to his lips. The icy explosion of sweet, tart flavour that burst upon his tongue was quite the most delicious thing he had ever tasted.

He allowed it to melt in his mouth, swallowing with pleasure. Lifting his eyes to Hetty, he smiled.

“You are quite right. It’s marvellous.”

“I know!” she said, looking so delighted by the admission that he could not help but smile. “Cilly and I have decided we must try every flavour available before we leave. It is our mission.”

“A fine ambition,” he agreed, lips quirking. He reached for the dish to return it to her, but she covered his hand with her own.

“You finish it,” she said gently. “You look as if you could do with a treat.”

Gideon stilled, riveted by the touch of her bare hand upon his. She had taken her gloves off to eat and they sat on the table beside her. He looked up and their eyes met and… she snatched her hand away.

He glanced towards her sister, who was watching them with avid attention.

Gideon cleared his throat. “Thank you, but I do not wish to deprive you of your treat.”

“Oh, you won’t. I’m going to order the coconut flavour now,” she said, gaining the attention of a young waitress and doing just that.

As it would have seemed churlish to refuse her kindness, Gideon finished the ice, hoping they would not think him appallingly rude if he left the moment it was gone.

“This way, your grace. I have the perfect table for you.”

Gideon looked around as he recognised Mrs King’s voice and saw the elegant redhead was escorting the Dowager Duchess of Hawkney onto the terrace.

“Gee-Gee!” Hetty exclaimed with delight.