“Why’s that?”
“Because maybe you were right. Maybe it shouldn’t be so difficult. Happy?”
His entire face lightened, his mouth pulling into a grin. “I’m always grateful for honesty.” His gaze held mine, and a tingling spread over my limbs. After several long moments, he pulled himself up to stand on the branch. “Poor Zander,” he muttered quietly enough that I wasn’t sure he had meant me to hear.
I let it go. I didn’t wish to speak about Zander anymore. We both let the subject drop and meandered from one topic to another.
He spent the rest of the afternoon helping me, talking with me, and teasing me. And by the time he had helped me unload my haul into the barn and bid me goodbye, I was almost certain that I was smitten.
✼ ✼ ✼
It was late afternoon. I hadn’t seen Rylan today or yesterday, and I was anxious without knowing why I was anxious. It was probably just Ella’s ruined book that had me on edge. Each day that I didn’t see Rylan made me think that he would never come back again, and if he never came back again, then I would never see the book again, and if that were the case, then I would have to explain to Ella and Gavin how I had borrowed, destroyed, and then lost their book completely. I had no desire to do any of that.
My morning had been spent helping my mother in the kitchen. I’d attempted to visit with my father in his shop for a bit, but Fynn had been there to assist. So instead of relaxing, I had to fend off his teasing. It was just as well. I wanted to straighten the barn before I brought in more fruit. I gathered a pail full of squashed or ruined fruit for Gerda before finding the broom.
I hummed to myself while I swept the leaves and twigs from the corners and herded them toward the door. My humming cut off when my broom encountered a pair of formerly polished boots. Rylan’s walk to the barn had coated them in dust.
I resisted the urge to smile and instead gave a dramatic sigh before looking up at Rylan and leaning on my broom handle. “You’re ruining my dirt floor with your pretty boots.”
He looked down and pretended to be startled by the presence of boots on his feet. “How did those ghastly things get there?” He gave a humble bow. “My apologies, Miss Kinley. It won’t happen again.” He took a large step to the side.
I let my lips rise up in amusement as I gave the little gathering of leaves a few more swipes toward the door, then set the broom aside.
“I have something for you.” He pulled his hands from behind his back with a flourish and held out Ella’s book.
I clasped my hands together and bounced on my toes. A broad smile stretched my face, and my shoulders sank in relief as I took it carefully from his hands so that I could study it. The cover and binding looked perfect and the leather had been nicely cleaned. Letting it fall open, I found quite a few pages that had been repaired. Upon further study, I realized he must have copied the words closest to the tear onto a new piece of paper before gluing that paper onto the seam in order to hold it together. It must have taken hours to make all of the words line up correctly.
“This is incredible,” I breathed.
“It’s not perfect, but I think it came together fairly well.”
I closed it and hugged it to my chest. “Thank you so much, Rylan.”
“My pleasure.”
I realized after a drawn-out moment that I was still grinning and staring at him. I looked away, trying to figure out what I should be doing next. “I should put this inside before something happens to it.”
“I’ll wait here.”
I ran to the house, quickly stowing the book under my bed before digging out the little hand mirror that Ella had gifted me two years ago. I checked my reflection, disappointed to note that my hair was not any more cooperative today than it was any other day. I could braid it, but then he would know I’d changed my hair for him. Instead I settled on retying my kerchief so that it looked neat.
On returning to the barn, I found Rylan rearranging some tools in one corner, hanging them on the pegs that stuck out from the wall. He studied the one in his hand.
“Planning on pilfering that?” I teased.
He winked at me. “Only if I’d get away with it.”
“You wouldn’t.” I took it from his hand and put it in its place. “My father used these to tend the palace grounds. Then he passed them on to Gavin when he took over. Now, it’s mostly my mother and Fynn that use them.”
“So both your father and your brother worked at the palace?”
I nodded, trying not to let my pride overflow.
“I didn’t know that. Those gardens have always been beautiful. At least from what I can remember. I’m not exactly a frequent visitor.”
I shrugged. “I’ve never been. But Gavin learned everything he knows from my father, and the gardens around his home are unbelievable.” I grabbed the pail of old fruit I had set aside and tilted my head toward the door. “Come, you must meet my warrior pig, Gerda.”
“Sounds formidable,” he said as he joined me.
“That is far too tame a word for her.”
As we walked toward the paddock, I looked around our little farm, noticing how nonsensical it appeared. The house there with the woodshed close by. The paddock far enough from the house that the smell of animals didn’t bother us, and the barn in the middle of it all. Each structure had been built and added on to as the need arose.
We reached the paddock, and I set the pail down so that I could lean my arms on the top rail and look at my little collection of animals.
“Hmm,” Rylan mused as he leaned beside me. “I’m going to guess that the pig over there in the corner is Gerda.”
I gave him a proud nod. “You are correct, sir.”
“So, why Gerda? It’s not exactly a Dalthian name.”
“I was reading a book about the Volmines when we acquired her.”
His head tipped back as he laughed. “They were a fearsome people. And what of the other animals?”
I pointed to the rooster strutting on the rail of the paddock. “That is Emperor. The he-goat is Brutus. The she-goat is Cleo. The sheep I haven’t bothered to name. We haven’t had them for long. This is our first try at raising them for wool, and I don’t know if it will be worth the trade-off.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because I would rather be tending my orchard, and Fynn doesn’t think we need any more animals. He thinks we have too many already.”
His elbow was propped on the fence, and he leaned the side of his head on his hand, smiling in a way that lit up his eyes and made him look far too handsome. “You are an interesting girl, Kinley.”
He was sweet to say it, but I had a difficult time believing it was true. “No need to flatter me. I’m certain with all your society engagements, you know plenty of people more interesting than I am.”
“There aren’t many people that I can speak with in my parents’ social circles without them thinking I am an oddity. Not that I am desperate to fit in. I’m not.”
“Your parents’ social circles? Aren’t they your social circles as well?”
“Like I said. I don’t exactly fit in, and I honestly don’t care to.”
“You enjoy shunning polite society?”
“I wouldn’t be so quick to call them polite,” he said out of the corner of his mouth. “And I don’t shun, I merely . . . avoid.”
He reminded me of Ella and her fight against her station. “I’m certain your parents love that.”
He waved that off. “My mother finds it amusing. She’s never been the type to try to force expectations on me.”
“What about your father?”
He smiled, but it wasn’t real. “I don’t respect my father’s opinion enough for his disapproval to sway me one way or the other.”
I picked up the pail at my feet and held it out to him. “So the fact that your father would be mortified that you are going to feed rotting fruit to an ugly sow doesn’t bother you?”
He took the pail, shaking his head. “If
that is meant to be a challenge, you’ll need to be more creative.” He walked around the fence, and as we neared Gerda, he pulled out an old pear and started to hold it over the fence.
I jumped forward and pulled him back. “Believe me, this isn’t a sow you want to hand-feed. Just toss it all over the fence, and we’ll leave her in peace.”
He raised a skeptical brow at me but did as I said. I grabbed his arm and pulled him away as Gerda started to heave herself to her hooves with angry snorts.
“You weren’t joking,” he said, looking back over his shoulder.
“Gerda likes her space,” I said, and hurried him along.
“Would she be able to get out of the fence?”
“I’ve never been willing to risk finding out.”
We slowed as we came to the orchard, both chuckling at the ridiculousness of fleeing from a fenced pig.
“And you claim not to be interesting,” he scoffed.
“There’s a difference between good interesting and bad interesting.”
“I promise,” he said, picking an apple and tossing it over to me. “You’re good interesting.”
I caught the apple and tossed it from hand to hand as I tried not to let his compliment make my stomach all fluttery. I tossed it back. “You’re just lucky you piqued my interest in books, otherwise—”
Rylan tossed the apple back to me. Unfortunately, I wasn’t expecting it so soon and didn’t get my hands up in time. It hit me in the face. I brought a hand to my nose as it stung with the impact.
I heard Rylan hurry over. “I’m so sorry,” he said as he wrapped his arms around me in apology. “Are you hurt? Did I throw it too hard?” He drew back and put both hands on the sides of my neck so that he could tilt my chin up and examine my face.
“Is it still the same shape?” I joked, sniffing against the pain.
“Yes, it’s still as lovely as ever. Here.” He leaned in and pressed a kiss to the bridge of my nose. “That fixes everything, doesn’t it?”
I nodded but also swallowed. His hands still rested under my ears, and he hadn’t drawn back very far after he had kissed me. He was right there, the fabric of my dress brushing against him.
“Did the apple also hit your mouth?” he asked in a teasing tone. “Because I think I’d like to kiss that better as well.”
I stopped breathing as his gaze dropped to my lips, and his teasing smile turned serious. “I—” was all I managed to get out, since all coherent thought seemed to have fled.
One hand slid behind my neck, and his head dipped closer. “Have I left you speechless?”
Yes! My mind screamed, but all I could do was stand there wide-eyed as his mouth drew closer to mine. He was going to kiss me, and I’d never been kissed before. I’d daydreamed about being kissed, but this anticipation was like nothing else. It was heavy and potent and filled me with hot and cold, fear and excitement.
Then his lips finally pressed to mine, and everything else went away. It was just him and me sharing this unspoken, wonderful . . . something. Having never been kissed before, I didn’t really know what to do, so I let him do the work, returning the pressure of his lips with my own, enjoying it for the few moments it lasted. I let it fill me up, let the feeling of being wanted wash over me.
When he pulled back to look at me, the only thing I could think to say was the obvious. “You kissed me.”
He smiled and leaned in to press his lips to mine again, causing a little noise of surprise to escape my throat. Then he pulled back and said, “Now I’ve kissed you twice.”
I opened my mouth but couldn’t form any words, so I gave up.
He dropped his hands from my neck, sliding them down my arms until he could take my hands in his. He looked down at our linked hands for a moment as his fingers played with mine, then looked up, with just a touch of shyness in his eyes.
His humility gave me courage. “Do you go around kissing all the girls who introduce you to their pigs?”
He snorted a laugh, then reached out, brushing my curls against his palm. “That’s one of the many reasons I like you, Kinley. You’re not afraid to tease me.”
My gaze dropped to his chest, his admission giving me a turn for shyness. I fingered the ties of his vest. “You’re fond of me, are you?”
“I’ve always been fond of you. Ever since you were brave enough to start asking questions about my studies. As I recall, I would ramble endlessly about whatever held my interest in the moment, and you always looked as if what I had to say was the most fascinating thing in the world.” His brow furrowed, as if confused by the memory.
“That’s because it was. I’d never heard of such things or places as what you studied. I always wanted to hear more.”
“Being able to share things with you made me want to keep learning. I think my interest may have faded if it hadn’t been for you.”
I was shaking my head before he finished speaking. “I don’t believe that for a moment. Your appetite for learning was insatiable long before I came along, and it was well known, too.”
“Still . . . ” He brought my hand up and kissed my knuckles. “My desire to impress my friend didn’t hurt.”
“Glad to be of service.” My breathlessness was a little embarrassing.
For a moment, we stood together, waiting for the other to move or speak. Finally, Rylan said, “I should probably be getting home.”
“Thank you for the book.” And for so much more.
“You’re welcome.” He bowed over my hand, and I even remembered to do a little curtsy the way he’d taught me so long ago. “Good day, Miss Kinley.”
“Good day, Mr. Baylor.”
He slowly retreated toward the road, walking backward for several paces before breaking his gaze from mine and turning away.
I let out the breath I’d been holding and fanned at my face. He’d kissed me. Rylan had kissed me. What in the world was I supposed to do now?
Chapter Ten
TWO DAYS LATER, I put on my best dress and waited for Gavin’s carriage to arrive. I had sent a note to him and Ella to ask if I could pay them a visit. They happily obliged. I wanted to return Ella’s book in person so that I could explain the damage and apologize.
I had invited my parents to come along, as I did every time I went to visit Gavin, but they had both declined. Their visits had been few in the years since my brother married. They greatly preferred having Gavin and his family join us in our home. Neither of them had ever become comfortable stepping into Gavin’s world that he had created with Ella. It was so foreign from what they knew that it left them feeling out of place. I understood the feeling, having felt that way when Gavin first married, but I was also too attached to Gavin to let something as trivial as rank get in my way.
The coachman arrived, and my cheeks heated as he bowed and helped me into the carriage. He always treated me with the same deference he showed Gavin and Ella, but I’d never gotten used to it. I settled into the seat as the horses pulled us into motion. I clutched my satchel to my chest, the edges of the hidden book digging into my arms.
When we arrived, I didn’t even make it to the front steps before Guin threw the door open and raced down the stairs. I hurried forward to catch her as she launched herself off the bottom step and into my arms.
I squeezed her tight and spun her around as Ella came out of the house.
“She’s been waiting at the window for you,” Ella said with a smile.
I touched my nose to Guin’s, and she patted my cheeks. “Have you been waiting just for me?” I asked in a conspiratorial whisper.
“Yes,” she whispered, and then giggled.
I hefted her on my hip and carried her into the house, my satchel hanging from my shoulder.
We chatted as we situated ourselves in the sitting room, and I tried to act dignified and ladylike as tea was brought in, which was a little bit difficult with Guin climbing on me. Not that I minded, and Ella’s look of contentment as she watched her daughter made it clear that she
didn’t mind, either.
Gavin came in from working in the garden, kissing me on the cheek and his wife on the lips before excusing himself to wash up. I always enjoyed being here. Their life was an exercise in contradictions. By all accounts, a marriage between a princess and a commoner should have been an unmitigated disaster, but over the years, they had managed to meld their disparate lives together so that both were comfortable. Gavin had just walked into a finely furnished sitting room covered in dirt, and Ella hadn’t even flinched.
After Gavin had returned, I finally worked up the nerve to bring up the subject of the book. I pulled my satchel onto my lap and took a deliberate breath. “I have a confession to make.”
“That doesn’t bode well,” Gavin said with a curious lift of his eyebrow.
“Shh.” Ella nudged him with her elbow.
“I’m afraid the book you let me borrow came to a good amount of harm, and I had to have it repaired.” I pulled it from my bag and handed it to Ella, who then passed it to Gavin.
“What happened to it?” he asked as he turned the book over in his hands.
“Jayden Hamlin,” I said, my voice tinged with disgust.
“Jayden is a menace,” Gavin muttered as he studied the book and how it had been repaired. “Who fixed this? Obviously you can still see the damage, but I’m impressed with how well it was repaired. How much did you pay for this?”
“A friend of mine offered to repair it.”
He raised one doubtful eyebrow at me. “How many friends do you know that appreciate books enough to know anything at all about repairing them?”
I tried to suppress my smile but didn’t succeed. “Only one that I know of.”
He looked at me with a lopsided smile. “Does this friend happen to be a man?”
I crossed my arms, then reached up and rubbed my nose before crossing them again. “Why do you ask?”
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