Love Birds: The Complete Collection

by Ruth J. Hartman

  “How I’d love to see that someday.”

  “If you like birds, you would truly love it.”

  Daniel held onto Leah’s arm more snuggly as the path gradually sloped downward. Soon, the sound of something splashing in water could be heard.

  Leah craned her neck but couldn’t see over a row of young scrub trees to see what it was.

  Daniel rose on tiptoes for a moment. “Ah, how lovely. There’s a brook just ahead.”

  Leah glanced behind them. “I don’t wish to stay away too long. Mr. Radcliff might have need of you.”

  He shook his head. “The way the guests were carrying on, I’d say they’ve planned to play their games long into the early evening until they must prepare for tonight’s ball.”

  “Still, we must be sure to return much before that so you can see to Mr. Radcliff.”

  “Certainly.”

  As they walked around the last in the row of scrub trees, the brook came into full view. Several large oaks stood guard on each bank of the water. Small, flat stones could be seen beneath the clear, shimmering water.

  Leah jumped as a splash came from her right. “What was that?”

  Daniel peered around her, focusing where she pointed. “Ah, another one is getting ready to dive in the water, see?”

  “Another one what?”

  She squinted but saw nothing. Then a tiny movement gave away the location of the jumper. A small brown frog leaped impossibly high in the air and plunked straight down into the water.

  Laughter bubbled up from Leah, not unlike the water bubbling at their feet. “Amazing how such a little thing can make such a mighty splash.”

  “Since they’re such small frogs, perhaps it makes them feel more important when they can garner attention from their actions.”

  She bit her lip against an unladylike snort. “Do you really think so?”

  “Makes as much sense as anything else I could think of on quick notice.”

  “You have to be the most amusing man I’ve ever met.”

  He turned to face her. “I’ll take that as a compliment. That is, if my bringing you amusement pleases you.”

  She gazed up at him. “It does.”

  Daniel leaned closer. Was he hoping to finish the kiss he’d attempted in the house? Leah leaned back, even though every inch of her longed to accept his kiss. Cecilia’s earlier promise ran through Leah’s mind. Was there really someone out there for her? Someone who would love her and take care of her and those she cared about?

  Daniel was still watching her intently. Leah’s face heated, and she glanced away. “Why don’t we… would you care to sit along the bank for a while? And watch the frogs and birds.”

  He blinked and then his mouth rose in a slow easy smile. “I would like that very much.” He removed his coat, spread it on the ground, and took her hand.

  She frowned. “I hadn’t meant for you to get your coat soiled.”

  “Better that than your dress.”

  “But—”

  “It’s fine. Besides, there’s been no rain. See? It won’t even get muddy.”

  “If you’re sure.”

  “I am.”

  She stepped in front of his coat and, while still holding onto Daniel’s hand, gingerly lowered to sit. Daniel sat down beside her, but not on the coat.

  Leah patted the coat. “Please.”

  “There isn’t room.” But his gaze lowered to her hand on the fabric.

  “I’ll make room. It is your coat, after all.” She gathered her gown close to the side of her leg and edged over so he could sit beside her. The moment his leg touched hers, warmth, delightful and sensual, seeped into her skin.

  Perhaps this wasn’t a good idea. But it was too late now.

  Daniel leaned back to rest his weight on his palms. As he shifted, his shoulder brushed hers. Heat shot through her. Much more of that and she would surely burst into flames.

  Leah stared determinedly straight ahead, not wanting to add fuel to said fire by even glancing in Daniel’s direction. How did the man possess the power to excite her so?

  “See something interesting?”

  “Pardon?” She still didn’t turn to him.

  “Whatever it is in the water. Care to share? I don’t see anything unusual.”

  “Oh… um…” Now what? Think of something. “There was a… an… something large and… blue swimming in the water.” Blue, Leah?

  “Did you say blue?”

  “Y-yes. A lovely shade. Perhaps if was more of a turquoise.”

  “Turquoise?”

  From the corner of her eye, Leah saw him raise his hand to his face. Was he rubbing his chin? I’ll not turn simply to satisfy my curiosity.

  “What do you suppose it could be?”

  She hadn’t thought that far ahead. How did Daniel come up with clever sayings on a moment’s notice? “Um…”

  “Maybe it’s jewelry.”

  “Jewelry…”

  “Some of that can be turquoise, can it not?”

  “Well, yes but—”

  “I know.” His shoulder bumped hers as he sat up straighter. “Maybe it’s sunken treasure.”

  Even though she’d promised herself not to, she whipped her head to him. “In a brook?”

  He shrugged. “Could have been a small ship.”

  “In a brook.”

  “Very tiny.” Daniel held up his hand, his thumb and forefinger only an inch apart. “Minuscule.”

  “And I suppose the captain of this ship was a brown frog.”

  His mouth gaped open. “How did you guess?”

  Laughter started in Leah’s middle, bubbled up her throat and popped out of her mouth. She couldn’t help it.

  Daniel chortled along with her. “Well, that’s only one theory, after all.”

  Leah glanced at him. He was looking directly into her eyes. Her laughter died on her lips. She should turn away. Not gaze into those beautiful eyes. When his glance lowered to her lips, she felt them part slightly, and ran her tongue over her suddenly dry lips, though she’d not consciously thought about doing so. He leaned closer, and she caught the scent of peppermint on his breath. She closed her eyes and inhaled. How lovely it would be to have him wrap his arms around her, press her close—

  As if Daniel had read her mind, he gently grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her tight. Instead of pushing him away as she normally would have, she nestled against his chest, not unlike how she’d awoken in the carriage. A deep sigh escaped her lips, and she closed her eyes. When Daniel’s fingers caressed her temple, she nearly purred.

  Daniel’s warm breath blew across her forehead. “Been wanting to do this for quite a while.”

  She widened her eyes. What in the name of heaven am I doing? She pulled away from him and smoothed her wrinkled dress. “Pardon. I don’t know what came over me.”

  “I do.”

  “And what would that be?”

  “You, Leah, have succumbed to my exceptional charm.” Daniel then eyed her fan. “Mind if I borrow that?

  She frowned. “You want the fan?”

  “If I may.”

  “As you wish.” She handed it to him and watched as he slowly swung the fan to and fro in front of his face. Tiny wisps of hair at his temples and brow barely stirred.

  The fan stopped. “This won’t do, I’m afraid.” He returned her fan.

  “Oh?”

  Daniel leaned down and removed one boot, then the other.

  “What on earth are you doing?”

  “I’m hot. There’s cool water but a few feet away.”

  He wouldn’t.

  Her eyes widened as he set his boots aside and then proceeded to roll up his trouser legs and remove his stockings.

  Leah stifled a gasp and turned her head away. The man was undressing right next to her.

  Something rustled. Muted footsteps, bare skin on dry earth, told her he had stood and walked away. Only then was she brave enough to take a peek.

  He was seated on t
he edge of the bank, his back to her. “Leah.”

  She swallowed. Had he somehow known she was watching him? “Yes?”

  “Come join me.”

  “No. I couldn’t. I have no wish to dampen my boots.”

  “Take them off. And your stockings, as I have.”

  “Take them off?” She shook her head but he couldn’t see. “I think not.”

  He glanced over his shoulder. “It feels wonderful. You must try it.”

  “I… No. I absolutely could not.”

  Suddenly, her perspiring feet, trapped inside Cecilia’s castoff cotton stockings and boots, felt as if they were stuck in embers of a fire.

  “You must. I cannot tell you how refreshing the cool water is to my bare skin.”

  Bare skin… What would it be like to see the man’s uncovered feet? More than that, to see Daniel’s— “I… Someone might see us.”

  He waved his arm out to the side but kept his back to her. “Who is there to see? We must have covered at least a mile from the house and grounds. I can’t even hear voices from here.”

  Leah cocked her head to the side. He was right. She didn’t hear anyone either. Surely it would feel divine to cool her tired, hot feet in the clear water. She glanced from side to side as if someone had snuck up on them in the last few seconds to spy. Did she dare?

  “Life’s brief. Have a little fun.”

  Yes! I’ll do it. “Don’t turn around.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it. Well, perhaps I would dream of it.”

  “Daniel…”

  “Joking.”

  She removed her boots, which in itself felt like heaven. Wiggling her toes, she then slowly lifted her skirt and began the process of unfastening her stockings and rolling them down her leg, past her knee, along her calf, and finally removing them from her feet. She repeated the process with the other stocking. “Ah…”

  Daniel chortled. “Let me guess. You decided to join me?”

  Leah hurried to the bank, plopping down in a very unladylike manner next to him. She didn’t want him to see her bare legs and quickly tugged her skirt over her until all that showed were her feet. Daniel grinned and leaned forward, but Leah thrust her feet into the brook before he could have seen very much.

  “You were correct. This is divine.”

  “See? A jester actually can have a good idea every so often.”

  Chapter Six

  Leah stood in the welcome shade of the large tree. How she wished she could be back at the brook, dipping her bare feet in the water. Thoughts of doing that with Daniel right next to her warmed her cheeks, but that heat had nothing to do with the humid day. Daniel was so easy with her, so charming and funny. Still, she couldn’t get past the fact that he seemed not serious about the future. Leah needed more than that. She didn’t want to rely on Cecilia forever. Plus she longed for a home and family of her own.

  A few women passed by, giggling and hurrying toward the house. Probably to get ready for the evening’s dance. What would it be like to dance with Daniel? Feel his strong arms around her, holding her close? He’d embraced her, but dancing was… more seductive somehow. Swaying to slow music, his hand pressed against her waist, hers on his shoulder.

  She sighed. I need to stop dreaming about him. It’s time to grow up. For both of us.

  “We meet again.”

  Leah startled at the voice and turned. “Mr. Kensington.”

  He smiled and stepped closer, reaching out for her hand. She placed her hand in his but felt almost wrong in doing it. Was it because she’d just been thinking about Daniel? That she would somehow be disloyal to him if she allowed herself to stand so close to Mr. Kensington?

  Though Leah’s body didn’t have as strong a reaction to him as to Daniel, there was something there. Attraction? Interest? What would it be like to know him better? Her shoulders relaxed, and she returned his smile.

  “It’s lovely to see you again, Miss Hunter.”

  “And you as well.”

  “I trust you’re enjoying your time here at the Bradington’s?”

  “Yes. It’s a lovely place.”

  “I do like coming to see them. They’re quite hospitable and thoughtful of their guests.”

  She nodded but had nothing to add, since this was her first time there. He was kind, but conversation with him wasn’t as effortless as it was with Daniel. Maybe she just needed to become better acquainted with him. Since she’d been taken aback the other two times she’d been with him, this was as much as she’d ever said in his presence. Still, it felt odd to simply speak up like she would have with Daniel.

  He glanced at the house and then back. “The Bradington’s do have a wonderful home.” He cleared his throat. “I, too, have a lovely home.”

  “Oh?”

  “Not as large as this, but… quite nice.”

  “I… see.” Did he truly want her to know about his home, or was he simply making polite conversation?

  He indicated the surroundings. Was he picturing his own property? “It’s set on a lovely spread of land with groves of fruit trees and a pond, where there are several varieties of fish and frogs.”

  “Frogs?” Her thoughts returned to laughing with Daniel about a small frog captaining a tiny ship in the Bradington’s brook. Leah glanced around, suddenly feeling as if she was doing something she shouldn’t. As if Daniel might come upon them any second, his feelings hurt because she spoke with another man.

  He lowered his eyebrows. “Are you… opposed to frogs?”

  She waved her hand. “No… of course not. Frogs are… lovely.”

  Lovely?

  He chuckled. “I’ve never heard them described in such a manner before. But I’m sure that the frogs themselves think they are handsome in appearance.”

  She smiled. It seemed Mr. Kensington had a sense of humor.

  “Ah…” He placed one finger beneath her chin, but only for a moment, He lowered his hand. “You have such a beautiful smile. I have no doubt that when you do it, even the flowers bask in the light of your pleasant countenance.”

  Leah widened her eyes and looked up at him. Did he mean that? Or was he only flirting with her. The first time she’d met him, several months ago, he’d not made a positive impression. Though she would admit that meeting him again the other day in Hyde Park he had seemed polite and well-mannered. Which was the true Mr. Kensington?

  She averted her gaze but stole a quick peek at him from beneath her lashes. He certainly was being on his best behavior today. Perhaps she should give him the benefit of the doubt. Everyone had bad days from time to time, didn’t they? The first day they’d met might have been one of those for him.

  Mr. Kensington swallowed, and his cravat moved up and then down against his throat as if he was nervous.

  Nervous? Speaking to her?

  He tugged on the cravat and cleared his throat again. “The other day when I happened up on you and Mrs. Radcliff…”

  “Yes?”

  “You’d mentioned that you liked cats.”

  “True.” She tilted her head. “But if I’m not mistaken, your reaction came across as perhaps you’re not as fond of them.”

  “Well, I…”

  “But you do like dogs.”

  He nodded and his eyes lit up. “I certainly do. My hunting dogs are like my friends.” His face reddened. “Pardon me. That might have come out sounding—”

  “No.” She touched his arm briefly then lowered her arm to her side. “It… I understand completely.”

  “You do?”

  “Not about dogs. I… I feel that way about cats.”

  He grinned as if they now shared a juicy secret. “You do?”

  Leah nodded. “I’ve loved them my entire life.”

  “Extraordinary.”

  “Cats? But I thought you weren’t as fond of them.”

  “Yes. No. Er… That we both value animals so dearly.”

  She smiled. Though it still wasn’t like being with Daniel, it was getting a littl
e more comfortable speaking to Mr. Kensington.

  “And you’d pointed out the bird that day at Hyde Park.”

  Leah’s face heated. She’d tried very hard to forget her silly outburst. What must he have thought of her? Some silly hoyden shouting about a black bird.

  “I, too, enjoy looking at birds, Miss Hunter.”

  She blinked. He seemed sincere and not at all like he was having sport with her. Maybe he hadn’t thought her silly that day. “Oh… yes.”

  “If it wouldn’t be too presumptuous, might we call each other by our Christian names? Call me Felton.”

  Butterflies danced in Leah’s stomach. Christian names? That was definitely taking a step forward. “You may call me Leah.”

  “Perhaps…” He bit his lip and shrugged but didn’t finish the sentence.

  Leah’s heartbeat pounded against her ribs. Had he just been about to ask her… Surely not.

  Stranger things, though. When she remembered how quickly Cecilia and Mr. Radcliff had drawn close to each other, she realized that sometimes it didn’t take long for two people to become…

  Did he have an interest in her beyond simple acquaintanceship? Could he have in mind to—

  “Mr. Kensington!”

  He and Leah turned to see who called out. Mr. Kensington frowned.

  “Do pardon me. I’m afraid it’s someone to whom I must speak. I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation. Perhaps we could do it again sometime?” With his eyebrows raised and the corners of his lips upturned, he looked so hopeful.

  “That… that would be nice.”

  He gave a bow. “Good day.”

  “Good day.”

  Leah watched him hurry toward the older man who had gotten his attention. She thought over his last request. Did she wish to speak to him again in the future?

  What would Daniel have to say about that?

  She shook her head. No reason to dwell on Daniel. Leah watched Mr. Kensington reach the other man and give a bow. Since Daniel seemed not to be a serious possibility for marriage, should she be looking elsewhere?

  Chapter Seven

  Daniel glanced out the upstairs window to his small room. Would he see Leah again today? He’d so enjoyed spending most of the previous day with her. Not many were on the lawn as they were getting ready for yet another ball that evening. Leah had said yesterday that Mrs. Radcliff planned to wear the gown they had secretly repaired. Had she noticed anything while she wore it?