Page 49

“Am I a boy and a noble and a gentleman?” he asked Lord Bloxley.

The earl chuckled. “For now, simply work on being the best boy you can be.” He pointed to Jane. “And that starts with minding Miss Hadford well.”

Asher nodded and waited for Jane to speak.

“I am sorry to have to bring this marvelous house building to an end,” she said. “But Alice will be here at any moment to take Asher back to the nursery for his luncheon.”

“More food?” Asher’s look was one of wonder.

“Yes, dear. If you want to grow up to be big and strong like Lord Bloxley, you must eat considerably more than you were eating before.”

Lord Bloxley raised one eyebrow. Humor danced in his eyes, and it was all Jane could do not to clap a hand over her mouth. Merciful heavens. Had she actually spoken those words out loud? As warmth inched up her neck, she studiously avoided looking at the earl. He had long since removed his hat, coat, and gloves. They were lying on the bench beside her. She was crippled, not blind, and she would have to be completely sightless to not notice how well his fine-cut shirt fit over his broad shoulders.

“Will there be spiced buns?”

“I doubt it since you had those for breakfast.”

Asher’s face fell. “They are my favowite.”

“Perhaps you will discover a new favorite at this meal.”

As Asher pondered that unlikely possibility, Alice appeared through the hedge. “Good day, Miss Hadford.” She caught sight of Lord Bloxley and dropped into a curtsy. “Forgive me. I came t’ take Asher to the ’ouse fer ’is luncheon.”

“Thank you, Alice.” Jane rose to her feet, and Lord Bloxley retrieved his outerwear from the bench.

“Are there spiced buns?” Asher asked, obviously not yet ready to relinquish his hope that the sweet bread would make a second appearance that day.

Alice shook her head. “Not that I could see. But I think I smelled bread puddin’ when I stopped by the kitchen.”

“Bwead pudding? Is that as good as spiced buns?”

“That’s my favorite,” Lord Bloxley said. “Most definitely worth returning to the nursery for.”

It appeared that was all Asher needed to know. He moved to stand beside Alice and offered her his hand. “I think spiced buns and bwead pudding are my favowites.”

Alice smiled and bobbed another curtsy. “If you’ll excuse us, my lord, miss.”

“Thank you, Alice.” Jane stepped toward them. It would not do to be left alone in the orchard with Lord Bloxley. “We shall follow you to the house.”

“Very good, miss.” She tugged gently on Asher’s arm.

He turned to leave but then abruptly changed his mind and swung back to face Lord Bloxley. “Can I still see the fwogs and the other things?”

“The newts,” Lord Bloxley said. “Of course. I am glad that you reminded me.” He looked at Jane. “Would tomorrow, late morning be a convenient time for a trip to the Bloxley Hall pond?”

Jane stared at him. If the Earl of Bloxley was truly willing to take the boy to catch tadpoles, who was she to get in the way? “We would be happy to come, my lord.”

“Alice. Alice.” Asher was tugging on the maid’s arm. “Lord Bloxley’s taking me to see fwogs and newts. Have you ever seen a newt?”

“I have.” Alice guided the child through the hedge. “Short little legs but faster than the wind, they are.”

“Even faster than me?” Asher’s prattle continued.

Lord Bloxley smiled and offered Jane his arm. “Shall we?”

Jane nodded. She set her hand on his sleeve, her glove no barrier to his nearness as they followed Alice and Asher out of the orchard.

Matching his pace to hers, they walked across the lawn toward the house. Their progress was slow, and it was not long before Alice and Asher were lost from view, Asher’s young voice disappearing behind the closing of a door. Awareness hummed between them, and Jane knew she must say something—anything—to dispel it.