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Ashford’s eyebrows rose, and Vicky struggled to decide how much of her family history to share. She chose to knit her lips together and just enjoy the dance. She should have told him he was an excellent partner when he had complimented her. Now, it would be embarrassing to do so after the fact.Why does the man tie me up in knots so?
Suddenly, she remembered her vow to herself to find out all she could about Northcott, in case she decided to trust Bertram.
“You never did get around to telling me about your work in the islands.”
She hoped her blush wasn’t too fiery to be attributed to the rigours of dancing when he looked at her with surprise.
“No, I suppose I didn’t. What would you like to know?”
Vicky blinked at the question. How was she supposed to know what she wanted to know? She didn’t know anything. She fought a surge of hysterical laughter.
“What would you like to tell me? Or is it perhaps private? Am I being rude even asking you?” She didn’t think it could possibly be considered rude, but she hoped she would disarm him enough to tell her more, so she wouldn’t have to continue to reveal her ignorance.
“Not rude in the least. In fact, I’m rather gratified by your interest. Most young ladies seem to be more interested in my ventures in India.”
Vicky blinked again, tilting her head, trying not to giggle. She wondered why the other ladies knew more than she did.
“Why do you think that might be?” she asked.
“Probably because they think silks come from there.”
Vicky didn’t usually consider herself to be simple minded. She had learned how to balance the estate ledgers and knew more than she ever cared to learn about the raising of sheep on her father’s lands. But she couldn’t decide if Ashford was laughing at her or not.
“Does it not originate in the Orient?” she asked, hoping she wasn’t revealing an excessive amount of ignorance.
“It does, indeed,” he replied with a beaming smile, as though he were proud of her for her answer.
Vicky laughed. “Is there a reason you are still avoiding discussing the islands, though, Mr. Northcott? I do find it most curious. And my curiosity is increasing the longer you avoid telling me.”
His laughter warmed her belly and caused her heart to feel as though it had missed a beat or two.
“I can assure you, I’m not trying to avoid telling you a single thing. I am enjoying your interest, to be perfectly frank. Perhaps, I am inadvertently trying to prolong it.”
Vicky laughed along with him but raised her eyebrows in inquiry.
“Very well, my lady, I will try to tell you about the islands. I think, though, that it would be far better to show you one day.”
Vicky stared at him for what felt like an age.
~~~
Ash could have bitten off his own tongue, if it would have helped him retract the words. It was obviously too soon to make such a statement. The girl barely blinked after he said he’d like to show her his island home. Finally, she laughed and shook her head, as though perhaps he had been jesting. He didn’t bother telling her just how earnest he had felt in that moment. He actually would quite enjoy seeing her reaction to seeing the beautiful tropical place. It would surely be unlike anything she had ever seen.
He had never taken anyone to any of his properties. Unless you counted his employees. None of his brothers had ever expressed an interest. In fact, despite his friends occasionally asking him how things were going when he returned to England, Lady Vigilia’s interest was actually the most anyone, other than other seamen, had shown. Perhaps, that was what had caused the sudden impulse to show her everything he had ever owned. He didn’t think he could bear it if she rejected his fledgling offer. He hoped he could brazen his way out of his sudden feeling of awkwardness.
“The heat is what you notice first. It doesn’t seem to matter what time of the year you arrive. It is sure to be hotter than in England. Well, perhaps it’s not the heat you’d notice first, because it is just so beautiful you might not notice. The colour of the water defies description. I’m not creative enough to know what to even call those shades of blue. It seems to never rain there, but it surely must, since the land is so lush with vegetation.”
Her eyes had grown wider and more attentive, as though she were hanging on every word and trying to envision what he was describing.
“Do you have maps of the area?” she asked, breathless as though not believing it were possible.
“Of course, do you read maps?”
Her vigorous nod almost took them out of the steps of the dance, causing them both to laugh. “It’s a fascination I’ve had since I was a girl. We had a governess who had travelled. Her stories and drawings fascinated me. I must have been at a particularly formative age, as it didn’t affect any of my sisters in the same way, but I’ve always wished girls didn’t have to stay home.”
Ash laughed. “What is with you Sherton girls, such beautiful women, wishing to be boys?”
Vicky laughed along with him, even as she flushed with obvious embarrassment. “I had nearly forgotten you were friends with Hil. She’s obviously over her wish to be our father’s heir.”
