Page 32 of The Widow’s Christmas Surprise

“I confess I have been able to do little in the garden in the way of planting. Hu—Mr. Granger had already sent instructions about the winter plants by the time I arrived here, although I have been able to take some cuttings and create arrangements for the public rooms.” She pointed to a spectacular floral array in a simple white bowl on the mantelpiece. Golden late-blooming roses mingled with a dark wine-colored spray of leaves, sprigs of various berries mixed all about with a fan of greenery at the back.

“You are very talented, my dear.” Jane’s voice held sincere appreciation. She took great pride in her own flower arrangement, so her words were praise indeed.

Miss Granger beamed. “Thank you, my lady. I have always taken much joy in flowers, especially at home, where I had the keeping of the garden myself.”

The door opened and the butler brought in the tea tray.

“Thank you, Carstairs.” Miss Granger took up the teapot, and soon they were all enjoying the hot, fragrant tea and delicious little cardamom cakes.

“Do you leave for home in the morning, Lady John?” Miss Granger had offered a second round of cakes. Maria and her brother had taken more, but Jane had declined.

“No, I am for Scotland, to visit a dear friend who I have had to put off for several months. I have been with Lady Kersey while she was settling into life here at Kersey Hall. But now she has her place amongst the new family, I think it is time for me to journey north.”

“Lady John has been terribly kind to me.” Maria set her cup into its saucer and sent a thankful look to Jane. “I don’t know what I would have done without her these past months. I know I shall miss her terribly.”

“But now you have made Miss Granger’s acquaintance and that of the current Lady Kersey, you will not be alone at all, my dear.” Jane patted her hand. Maria would miss her regardless of her new friends. “Miss Granger, might we take that walk now? I think I must stretch my legs after eating those lovely little cakes.” She eyed the floral arrangement above the fireplace. “Could you show me where you found those wine-colored leaves? They are an exquisite color for arranging this time of year.”

“Of course, my lady.” The young lady rose instantly and addressed her brother. “Will you and Lady Kersey accompany us?”

Maria started, glancing at Mr. Granger and catching his eye. The warmth she found there sent heat streaming to her cheeks until she thought they must be on fire.

“I believe Lady Kersey and I will also avail ourselves of the crisp air, if you are amenable, my lady?” He turned his gaze full on her and Maria’s stomach dropped.

“Yes . . . yes, of course,” she finally stuttered out. “That would be lovely.”

Carstairs assisted them with their coats and Miss Granger led the way out the front door and around the side to the little wilderness they had seen from the drawing room. She and Jane walked together, their avid conversation about the local flora becoming more and more animated as Miss Granger pointed out various plants. That left Maria to stroll next to the silent Mr. Granger, who stared straight ahead as they wound down the path.

The silence lengthened until Maria wished heartily for something to say. However, all she could think of was their meeting yesterday, and her completely inappropriate kiss. Her cheeks stung, although not with the cold. Her behavior had been too forward. Likely Mr. Granger wished never to speak to her again but had been too polite to renege on his invitation to tea.

Still, the memory of that moment lingered, even if the kiss itself had not. He’d obviously been startled—she’d been startled as well, not having planned it at all but had just done it—but he hadn’t backed away. So had he enjoyed the kiss? His lips had been firm, his breath sweet with wine. She had the recollection of her hand meeting his hard chest, but she’d been focused, for those fleeting moments, on his mouth, on his nearness, on the fire that erupted in the pit of her stomach and shot downward to her nether regions. She’d not felt that way since . . .

“Please allow me, Lady Kersey, to heartily apologize for yesterday’s inappropriate behavior on my part.” Mr. Granger continued to avoid her direct gaze, though he seemed to glance her way every second or two.

“I do not see why you feel the need to apologize, Mr. Granger, for actions that were not of your doing. I was the one who kissed you, if you remember.” No sooner were the words out than Maria clapped her hand over her mouth. Oh, lord, how had that slipped out? She had not kept herself in check very well the past two days.

“Yes, Lady Kersey.” He turned and pinned her with his bright blue gaze. “I do remember that, very well indeed.”

Maria’s heart thumped in her chest, loudly enough to be heard, she’d wager. “If you do, then you should know you do not need to ask forgiveness for something you did not do.”

“Ah, but I was a willing party to it, my lady.” His eyes bore into hers until she slowed to a stop, unable to breathe. “A partner in crime.”

She struggled to take in a breath to ask, “What crime?”

“Larceny.”

Frowning, Maria just stared at him, utterly confused. “What did you steal?”

“I did not steal it, but allowed it to be stolen.” He kept his gaze trained on her until she swallowed hard.

“What . . . what?” She could scarcely get the word out.

“My heart, my lady.”

Her mouth went dry. Could she be understanding him rightly?

He glanced ahead at his sister and her cousin, but they were deep in conversation, bent over a bed of purple flowers. Gently, he took her hand. “I have no right to even dream of such a boon, but when you kissed me yesterday, I began to hope that perhaps the honor of deepening our friendship might be within the sphere of possibility.”

The very words she had wanted to hear from this man, although perhaps they could be deemed a bit hasty on his part, given that she was not out of mourning yet. Still, she had to admit her own wishes toward deepening their friendship were the same as his. What a truly glorious afternoon this had turned into. But they must be cautious. “Oh, Mr. Granger.”