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“Thank you. I did not expect tenants today. I planned to come to visit you all tomorrow,” I said as the third one took my hand.
“You want to come to the tenants’ grounds, Your Grace?” the first one, with reddish-brown hair and a beard, asked, shocked.
“Yes, of course. It is tradition, is it not? Forgive me, what are your names?”
“Right, I am Noah Stevenson,” the red-haired man said, then pointed to the man with a crooked nose beside him. “This here is Seth Rowan.” He then pointed to the man beside him. “Lastly Homer Toule.”
I grinned and looked at the man on the end with dark hair and light eyes. “Homer? Like the Iliad and the Odyssey?”
He stared, confused. “Odyssey like a journey, Your Grace? I’ve been nowhere but Everely.”
Immediately, I felt very foolish. When would they have had time to read works of ancient Greek literature?
“Oh, never you mind. Your name was merely familiar. Please, do not let me hold you.” I glanced at Evander, who shook his head, amused. I ignored him. “I shall have refreshments sent.”
Wallace directed them, “This way, if you will.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” they said to me before they left.
Evander chuckled. “You are your father’s daughter for sure.”
I preferred him this way, relaxed, teasing me. Not the Evander who stood before his stepmother enraged. I had questions, but obviously, this was not the time to ask them.
“We will speak later,” I said.
His jaw set, but he did not reply, leaving me and walking off on his own.
Truly, nothing was simple here…especially not him.
23
Aphrodite
I had acquired a new favorite window. It was in our room, and had a nook allowing one to sit right beside the glass comfortably. I had never seen anything like it, but I loved it immensely. I could imagine reading here…if I ever found time to read again. Mama was right. The running of a home was a task that required one’s mind all day and night, and I was so tired. It was up to me to adjust every room, down to every detail, from the draperies and the pillows to the type of furniture that would remain or be removed and at what angle it would sit. Every room needed modification, and every change needed my approval. It was up to me to discuss with the cook what type of meals were expected. Not to mention my relationship with Emeline. My head was spinning, and I couldn’t ever recall speaking for such lengths as I had over the past few days. I relished having this moment of silence, staring out at the darkness of the trees, as I knew it would not be for long. There was still one more conversation to be had before the day was done.
“You are awake.”
I watched as he entered quietly, already pulling at the cravat around his neck. Rising from my place, I crossed the room to him.
“It is fine. I can—”
“I wish to,” I interrupted. “Would you prefer I not?”
His brown eyes searched my face before his arms fell to his side. “Continue.”
When I had gotten him down to nothing but his breeches and drawers, I brushed my hand over the newly healed scar on his shoulder blade. It was still red and had not returned to the same light, sun-kissed brownish tone of the rest of his body. When he shivered, I leaned forward and kissed it gently. His arm wrapped around my waist.
“Are you not cross with me?” he asked, gently resting his cheek on my head. “You have been glaring at me all day.”
“I was not glaring,” I muttered, leaning into his embrace. “It is merely the condition of my face.”
He chuckled. “I am well versed in your face. I have been its student for many years. I know when you are bored and when you are upset. And you were upset, but I do not know why.”
I stepped out of his arms. “Truly, you do not know?”
“So, you were?” His eyebrow rose. “And no, I don’t. I thought maybe it was the disturbance of this afternoon, but you were upset before that.”
It made me even more upset that he did not see why. I also did not wish to miss this chance to speak calmly.
