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But then, to his relief, she burst out laughing. Cautiously, he joined in.
“Itdoesneed a little help,” she admitted, her laughter fading to a giggle. “I cannot seem to get it to remain entirely upright. It keeps sloping to one side.”
He laughed again. “I can easily fix that,” he said, his blood feeling warm with the laughter and the close proximity to her. “The snow needs to be bound more firmly, you see. And we need more support around the base of it.”
“Well, let us set to work then,” she said, a little breathlessly, her blue eyes sparkling with mirth.
Without another word, they did just that, both of them kneeling down next to the snowman. Jude tried not to look at her as they worked on fixing the snowman, for fear that he would be overwhelmed again by that perfect face. He could just discern the scent of her perfume wafting towards him. It was something floral, like roses or lavender.
He knew they shouldn’t be doing this together, and she was breaking a taboo by being so open and friendly towards him. If anyone saw them here together like this, there would be a scandal. Fine ladies weren't supposed to be alone with a male servant like this, however innocent it was. Not unless that servant was in the official role of chaperone, but even then, there were strict rules about how that interaction must take place.
His heart pounded as he stacked some snow around the base of the snowman. She was taking a risk by doing this with him. Why? Did she feel the same attraction he did? He could barely believe that it could be true, and yet, he had sensed the same tension from her that he felt when they were in close proximity. He saw her hands trembling now as she gathered snow.
“I used to do this with my mother,” she said, smiling wistfully at the snowman. “She would take me into these woods to collect Christmas greenery for the house, and if there was enough snow, we would build a snowman.”
He noted the discarded basket near them, filled to overflowing with vines and wreaths. “Is that why you are here now?” he asked, trying to keep his voice steady. “To collect greenery for the house?”
She nodded, biting her lip in concentration as she patted down some snow. “Yes. It is a tradition. Or at least it was when my mother was alive.” She bit her lip harder. “It is so difficult without her now. But I am determined to throw myself into the Christmas season. I hope it will revitalise my father’s spirits. That he may start to accept her loss and fully embrace living again.”
He nodded. “Well, Christmas is the time to bring families together.” He paused. “So they say.”
She glanced at him. “I am sorry. It is thoughtless of me to talk about my family’s difficulties when you do not even have one.”
He gave her a crooked grin. “It is fine, milady. Really. I have never been with a family at Christmas, so there is nothing for me to miss.” He hesitated. “I hope that you will achieve what you set out to do. I truly do.”
Their eyes locked again. Jude felt another jolt of electricity. He was the first to look away.
Chapter 7
Evelina felt her face suffusing with colour again as they gazed at each other across the snowman. There was that frisson of attraction between them. It was the same dangerous frisson that she had just been telling herself she would do her very best to douse before he had unexpectedly stumbled upon her in the woods.
And now here they were making a snowman together.
How had she gotten herself into this situation?
Quickly, he looked away, breaking the visual contact. “I think the torso and head are done,” he said, giving the snowman one last pat. “It’s just the face that is left now.”
Evelina took a deep, ragged breath, trying to focus on the snowman again. Her mind felt dizzy and confused. “Yes,” she said. “Perhaps some twigs for its mouth and nose and acorns for the eyes?”
He nodded, getting up to find what they required. Evelina sat back with a sigh. It was both relief and torment that he had moved away from her, and she was no longer within the thrall of the spell he held over her.
She should get up now and leave. It would be the entirely proper thing to do. He could finish the snowman. It wasn’t important anyway, even if she had been having a lot of fun building it with him. And yet, she stayed where she was, watching him pick up and discard twigs. It was as if she were frozen, just like the lake in the distance.
Eventually, he returned with what they needed, placing it on the ground in front of the snowman.
“You should do it,” he said, grinning at her again, so that his green eyes crinkled at the corners. “It isyour snowman,milady. You should finish him.”
Evelina laughed shakily. “Very well,” she said, picking up a twig and contemplating it. “This will be perfect for the mouth. It is almost as if he will be smiling.”
With unsteady hands, she pressed the twig into the snow, curving it into a smile. The second twig became the nose. Then she pressed two acorns to make eyes. She sat back, staring at it with satisfaction. It was probably the best snowman she had ever made and she knew it was only because of his help.
“Well done,” he grinned. “He looks like he’s the overseer of the forest.”
Evelina laughed, brushing snow off her hands. “He has a good expression! He will do.”
She turned to him, feeling shy. The snowman was complete. There was no reason to linger here any longer. She should thank him, pick up her basket and be on her way.
But he beat her to it. He sprang to his feet before holding out his hand to help her up. Evelina hesitated before taking it. He pulled her to her feet, gazing down at her for a moment before he stepped back. Her heart was pounding in her chest like a drum.
