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Hannah nodded, smiling. Now that she had cut short the chance of them sharing another kiss, they only talked. About simple things, easy things, things that didn’t make him think or worry about what was to come when he left here. He didn’t want to think about the ball he would have to attend tomorrow, or Lady Penelope who was expecting to dance with him. He wanted to spend all his time with Hannah, hearing her laugh and watching her smile.
Soon, Miss Julia returned to announce that supper was ready. He looked expectantly at Hannah, raising his brows at her.
She huffed a laugh, holding out her arms to him. “At least I got sufficient warning this time,” she said.
He chuckled as he scooped her into his arms. She instantly wrapped her arms around his neck, her face so close to his that Stephen felt incredible temptation build within him. Her hair fell over his shoulder; her slim frame against his chest made his pants grow a little tighter. Her hint of cleavage was close, her lips even closer. God, not being able to do anything was torture.
Very aware of Miss Julia’s presence by the door, he held his eyes ahead of him and made his way out the room, trying his best not to think about the way she felt in his arms, nor how wonderful she smelled.
As he slowly began to make his way downstairs, taking care to place his feet properly, Hannah said, “I cannot wait until I can walk again.”
“Truly?” Stephen responded. “And here I thought you loved it when I carried you around.”
Her laugh was breathy and soft. Stephen wanted nothing more than to witness it himself, but he kept his eyes on the floor—or what he could see of it. “While I must admit the convenience is very nice, I think I’d much rather using my own two feet. It’s a lot more fun that way, don’t you think?”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone refer to walking as fun,” Stephen chuckled, finally coming to the base of the stairs. Hannah laughed.
In the kitchen, the Stanton family was already setting the table. Miss Lily pulled a chair out for Hannah and he gently lowered into it, hoping that his reluctance wasn’t easily picked up.
He was about to sit in the chair next to her when Miss Lily put her hand on the back, blinking innocently at him. He nodded and moved over to the chair on the other side of Hannah, but his attempt was thwarted when Miss Julia claimed it first.
“Mr. Norton,” Mrs. Stanton called and she gestured to the chair next to her with a wide grin.
Stephen gave her a smile. He had the distinct feeling that there was something going on that he wasn’t aware of, but he chose to ignore it and sit down with all the others.
“Thank you for having me this evening, Mrs. Stanton,” Stephen said politely.
“There’s no need to continue calling me that, Stephen,” she responded kindly. “I think we’ve all gotten to know each other enough, don’t you? You can call me Anne.”
“And you can call us Julia and Lily,” Julia said perkily. She was already reaching for the food, not bothering to wait for anyone else. “Lily, doesn’t mind at all, do you, Lily?”
“Not at all,” Lily said calmly.
“I…I see.” Stephen nodded, taken aback by their openness. “Then you may call me Stephen.”
“Ah, now we truly do feel like one big, happy family,” Robert spoke up. He, like his youngest daughter, already had his plate full and was digging in with no remorse. Stephen, unable to help himself, glanced at Hannah.
She was smiling softly. With the help of Lily, she too was filling her plate. He moved without thinking, scarcely aware of what he was doing as she slowly took all his attention. He watched as she lifted the spoon to her mouth, chewed slowly, and widened her eyes in awe.
“Anne, this is magical!” Hannah exclaimed. Stephen huffed a laugh at the amazement in her eyes. “How could you possibly cook this well? I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything this good even when I—”
“Even when you what?” Lily asked, her own eyes twinkling with humor.
Hannah lowered her hand, her cheeks pinkening. “Nothing,” she breathed. “This is just wonderful, Anne. You’ve outdone yourself once again. I wish I could cook like this.”
“Do you know how to cook?” Stephen couldn’t help but ask. His heart leapt when her honey-brown eyes rested on him.
“Sadly, no,” she said with a shake of her head. “I…I only did other work like laundry and cleaning. I never worked in the kitchens.”
“It sounds like you worked in a manor then,” Robert mused aloud. “I’m sure it would be much easier to find another job if you knew how to hold your own around a stove.”
“In that case,” said his wife. “I would love to teach you a few things.”
A fleeting smile flitted over Hannah’s face. “I would love to do that, but don’t you think it would be a little difficult seeing that I cannot stand on two legs? Unless Stephen will be coming by to carry me around all day?”
Stephen felt laughter bubble up his throat when all eyes fell on him. “If that’s what you’d like Hannah, then I’ll make sure to drop all my responsibilities and be at your beck and call.”
A delightful blush came over her cheeks, but her eyes held his, steady with humor. “Are you willing to live up to that promise?”
