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“Is that really what you want, Etta?” he whispered in her ear.
Her breath caught, and she faced him. He bent and brushed her lips. The hint of a kiss sent fire through his veins. He heard her intake of breath and placed another light kiss on her mouth, lingering for just a moment. Then he plucked a white berry from above his head and counted.
“Hmm, only five more.” He winked at her. “We certainly don’t want to waste those, do we?”
She shook her head. Her fingers traced the lips he’d just kissed. Her chest rose and fell, her eyes now a molten gold. Etta had enjoyed it as much as he had.
Back came the preposterous grin.
Blast, but he felt like he was back at university. The taste of her made his head reel, and he wanted more. Dinner was a welcome reprieve. It would give him time to quell the flames burning low in his belly.
They gathered in the parlor again that evening. Tia played a few Christmas carols on the pianoforte while Etta sang. His toe tapped to “Deck the Halls,” and Gus realized he was enjoying his time at Bliss Manor with two unexpected companions. He felt the years fall away. In his youth, he’d been popular and spontaneous.
Where had that boy gone?
He’d invited Mrs. Willoughby and MacIntyre after the meal, along with Jasper and Pup, to join them on Christmas Day. The housekeeper was the closest thing he had to family here, and he suspected the butler would be a comfort for the sisters. He was used to putting social etiquette aside when visiting the poorer areas of London. If he could share a tankard with a man in the rookeries, he could certainly share this day with his housekeeper and a butler.
The ladies joined him by the fireplace.
“Why did you become a physician?” asked Miss Tia. She sat on the rug, her legs tucked under her with a cheek pressed against Etta’s lap.
“I wanted to help people. Two of my brothers”—he held up two fingers for her—“joined the army, one studied law.” Gus paused as Etta spelled out “lawyer.” Her mouth formed an O in acknowledgment.
“I was expected to go into the church.” Tia wrinkled her nose, and he laughed. “I studied medicine instead.”
“May I ask you a question as a physician?” He found he used his hands to gesture more when he spoke to Tia, and it seemed to help. Such a small thing, yet he imagined so vital.
“What do you find most difficult about being deaf?” He pointed to his ear. Her coping abilities and optimism fascinated him.
She thought about it. “The fear that I’ll lose my favorite sounds. Etta used to sing to me when I couldn’t sleep. When I play, I rely on vibration because I can’t hear the notes. I worry I’ll forget what the keys of the piano sound like, or her voice, or the birds of spring and summer.”
He swallowed, his throat thick. Instead of bemoaning her lot in life, as did many of his wealthy clients at the slightest discomfort, she found light in the darkness. “You’re a brave young woman.”
Miss Tia tilted her head. “Why do you think so? Many people are at a disadvantage in one way or another.”
“But the silence… is it not lonely? Isolating?”
Miss Tia gave him a sympathetic smile. “Itisquiet inside my head, but my heart is never silent.” She placed both hands on her chest. “Where would you rather be hushed? Here or here?” She pointed to her head and then back to her heart.
Gus took in a long breath as he digested her words. “You’re very wise for such a young girl.”
Miss Tia snorted. “Or you’re not as clever as you think!”
“Tia!” But Etta’s reprimand held no irritation.
“It’s fine. My grandmother’s mantra was, ‘Open your mind and let your heart speak.’ I think she would have understood Miss Tia very well.”
