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He didn’t respond immediately. Then when he did, he surprised her by saying, “I am more saddened by that response than I would have thought.”
Her chest constricted as she silently conceded she felt letdown. It surprised her to realize that she would have liked to been Ryan Colby’s wife.
“I think I’ve had enough of the pleasant outdoors today, Mr. Colby,” she muttered, trying not to let the scorn she felt to show in her voice. But from the darkening of his eyes, she knew he caught the hidden sarcasm in her wording.
Hating to ask, but knowing she had no other choice, she requested his assistance. “Would you please walk me back to the house?”
He stared at her far longer than was necessary and caused her to squirm uncomfortably until he sighed and got to his feet. “As you wish.”
After he helped her to her feet, he tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow and led her back to the small porch. She took longer than the usual person did to stumble up the two steps, but he kept a firm grip on her elbow until she stood soundly on two steady feet once again.
“I will bid my farewells here.” He stopped her on the top deck. Though she was not surprised he decided to leave, she was surprised at her level of disappointment. After their conversation in the garden, she feared she would never see him again. “Would you kindly pass them on to your family?”
She nodded, unable to find her voice. The emotion he had resurrected had lodged itself in her throat.
He eyed her closely as if waiting for a response. When she didn’t offer any, he exhaled and glanced back at the house. “Would you mind if I returned tomorrow?”
Astounded, she blinked and stared up at him. She was certain this was it. That they had concluded there could be no future between them. So why was he asking to see her again?
“Of course not.”
He smiled feebly in return, then gave a nod and leaped off the porch and marched out of the garden.
She stared after him feeling confounded. Why would he continue to court her if he just realized that she was not a suitable wife for him? The answer came swiftly. Indeed, she thought herself stupid and foolish for even having forgotten. So caught up was she being enthralled by those deep chocolate eyes and that warm caring touch.
No other wife could fulfill his lifelong dream. No other wife came with a schooner as a dowry.
Chapter 6
Ryan stood on the opposite side of the little blue picket fence surrounding the Hepworth’s tiny two-story house, and toward the parlor window where he knew Evelina sat alongside her sisters working on their endless supply of needlepoint.
He shouldn’t have returned. It was all wrong. The more he has gotten to know Evelina, the more she drew him in. There was obviously something mysterious about her. He had never met anyone with such a phobia of the outdoors. It explained her father’s inability to marry the g
irl off. It certainly couldn’t have anything to do with her looks.
There wasn’t a prettier woman he had ever laid eyes on.
He pushed the tiny wooden gate open to the narrow footpath and walked up to the front door. He wasn’t sure what could have caused Evelina to develop such an irrational fear but he was curious enough to find out.
“Good morning, Mr. Colby.” May greeted him with a warm smile.
“Good morning, Mrs. Hepworth.”
She stood back and allowed him entry. “The girls are in the parlor.”
He grinned. “Of course.”
“We’ve begun a quilt for Victoria as a wedding gift. She’s to marry later this summer.”
May led him into the room just off the front entrance where indeed the six beautiful daughters along with a group of older ladies he had never met, all sat around busy at work on a large frame propped up by four ladder back chairs.
“Ladies, this is Ryan Colby, a gentleman friend of Evelina’s.” She addressed the gathering of women. Their old plump faces beamed up at him and they murmured and nodded in agreement.
“Good morning.” He greeted them before allowing his gaze to slide to Evelina who sat with cheeks flushed amongst the group before turning back to May. “I was wondering if I had your permission to take Evelina out on an excursion today?”
“Oh.” She exclaimed before glancing over at her daughter who did not give the impression she was as excited as he would have wished.
“I’ve hired a carriage to take us for a ride through the city.”
