Love Birds: The Complete Collection

by Ruth J. Hartman

  How revolting. Leah bit her lip against a grimace. A glance at Cecilia showed her eyes widening for a second before her features returned to their normal placid appearance. Leah knew, of course, that some hunting was necessary for sustenance. She had no quarrel with that. For some people that was the difference between eating and starving. But to hunt an animal simply for sport? Poor things.

  Not really wanting to speak but desperate for a change in subject, Leah blurted out, “Look at that bird!” As soon as the words had flown from her lips, she covered her mouth with her hand. Oh no… I did not just utter something so inane in a loud voice to him in Hyde Park.

  Cecilia bit her lip as well. But not in embarrassment. Was she trying not to laugh? Leah’s face heated. With her pale complexion, her skin was sure to be as red as the roses planted by the Radcliff’s gardener each year.

  Mr. Kensington’s eyebrows were raised. “Do you… like birds, Miss Hunter?”

  Leah glanced at the feathered creature in question, the one she’d practically shouted about. She’d been so quick to point it out that she hadn’t even noticed what it was. Large. Black feathers. Some sort of crow? “I… Yes. Birds are so… pretty.” Pretty? He must think me daft.

  Wait. Why do I even care? He’ll likely brush off the encounter as amusing and I will forget it even happened after a time.

  Within a few minutes, they had once again reached the bench. Startled, Leah hadn’t paid attention to the fact that they must have gone in a circle. Either way, she was relieved it was over. Her cork-brained comment about the bird still caused her to cringe.

  Mr. Kensington bowed. “Thank you, ladies, for a lovely walk. Mrs. Radcliff, it was so nice to see you again. Please give Mr. Radcliff my regards. And, Miss Hunter?”

  Leah blinked. “Yes, Mr. Kensington?”

  “I greatly anticipate seeing you again.” He turned and left, heading toward the park’s entrance.

  Suddenly, Leah’s legs felt like pudding, as if they could no longer bear her weight. She plopped down on the bench.

  Cecilia sat down beside her. “That was certainly… unexpected.”

  “Yes. At the least.” Add to that odd, strange, and peculiar, and you might have it.

  Chapter Three

  Daniel put the finishing touches on Mr. Radcliff’s boots and stepped out into the hall. Something sounding like a small, high-pitched gasp came from a few rooms away. Had someone been injured? Hurrying, Daniel stopped in front of Mrs. Radcliff’s door. It was half-way open. Should he dare enter? It could be one of the maids having tripped or fallen. But what if it was Mrs. Radcliff? The master and his wife were supposed to have left for an all day outing, but perhaps she’d gotten behind schedule and was still in her room.

  Another sound, this one more like a wail, propelled Daniel into the room. Blast the consequences. Someone was in need.

  It was Leah.

  He bounded across the room to where she sat in a heap on the floor, a voluminous amount of pale-pink fabric strewn across her legs. “Leah? What happened?”

  She gasped as if caught stealing apples from a vendor, cheeks red, eyes wet. “Daniel? What are you doing here?”

  He knelt down beside her. Reaching out slowly as if trying to calm a frightened deer, he brushed away a tear from her cheek. “I heard you. Well, I didn’t know it was you. I thought perhaps someone had…” With a frown, he eyed her critically. “Are you hurt?”

  Leah gave a one-shouldered shrug. “I’m fine. Physically that is.”

  What did that mean? “Would you like to tell me what happened? Why you’re sitting in a puddle of pink in the middle of your mistress’ floor?”

  Mistress…

  What if someone came upon him in there? Daniel gulped and stood. Very much against his better judgment, but thinking it the smarter of two choices, Daniel closed the door and returned. If he was caught in there, so be it, but he wasn’t about to make it easy for someone to do so simply by happening past the room and seeing him there.

  Leah ran her palm over miles of pink, of which Daniel could now see was a gown. She hadn’t seemed to have registered that he’d even left her and closed the door.

  “What happened? You say you’re uninjured but…” He smoothed an errant lock of her blond hair away from her face, in the process, wiping dampness from her skin.

  “It’s terrible. I… can hardly believe what I’ve done.”

  He sat down next to her and took her hand in his. Her skin was clammy and carried a slight tremble. Was she afraid of something? Of him being alone with her? “Tell me. Maybe I can help.”

  “I don’t see how.”

  A huge sigh escaped her lips. A faint scent of peppermint floated across his face. How sweet it would feel to be closer to those lips. Press his against—

  “I’m not certain how it happened.”

  Daniel snapped to attention, yanked from his pleasant thoughts. “You’ve not told me exactly what did occur.” Rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand, he hoped to give her some comfort and reassurance, even though he knew not why she was upset.

  “You see, this gown, a new one of Ce— of Mrs. Radcliff’s was to be among her things when she and Mr. Radcliff attend the house party at Lord Bradington’s this weekend.”

  He had heard about the party, but it must have slipped his mind that it was this weekend. Would Mr. Radcliff need Daniel to attend as well? Usually he was needed for such events. He nodded. “So you were preparing the gown for her to take?”

  “Yes. It… I…” She sucked in a breath. “It was terrible. I don’t know what I’ll do. How shall I tell her? Will she be angry? What if—”

  Daniel pulled Leah into his arms to stop the question he had no way of answering. But having her pressed against him, the tickle of her hair on his face, the scent of soap on her skin and dress, caused him to close his eyes in pure joy. He lightly ran his hand down her back. “There, there. It can’t be as bad all that.”

  She hiccoughed and pulled away. “But it is. You see, as I was getting ready to lay the gown on the bed for the maid to prepare it for packing, my boot caught in the hem. A terrible ripping sound occurred and I knew — knew I had torn it. Me! I tore her lovely new gown! Whatever will I do?”

  “Can’t you explain to her that—”

  “I… Mrs. Radcliff trusts me, Daniel. Trusts me enough to be her companion. And I have let her down. How will she trust me now with her most treasured possessions when I’ve ruined something that she hasn’t even had a chance to wear yet?”

  “Perhaps it can be repaired?”

  She shook her head. “If I take it to a Mantua-maker, Mrs. Radcliff will hear of it. No. I can’t risk that.”

  “Could you… repair it yourself?”

  “I did used to repair small rents, of course, but this one… It’s such a large area of the hem. It would take me hours to repair, as the stitches must be tiny and exact. I’m not skilled at a task so large as this.”

  “What if I helped you?”

  “You?”

  “I’ve just as much experience at repairing clothing tears as you. Maybe more.” He lifted her chin with his finger, making sure she could see him when he smirked. When she blinked and smiled at his effort, his heart warmed.

  Leah shook her head. “You always do know how to make me feel better.”

  “It’s my only gift. I try to use it to the best of my ability.”

  “That isn’t your only gift. Why you’re—”

  “What?” Why did she stop? Tell me.

  She bit her lip, averting her gaze to the dress in her lap. “N-nothing.”

  Blast! Had she been about to confess something? Perhaps she admired him in some way. What I wouldn’t give to know. Daniel swallowed his curiosity. Now was not the time. But he wished it was. “Well, let me see that damage to the hem. Maybe it isn’t as bad as you thought.”

  She grabbed a length of the fabric and pressed it into his hands. “I’m afraid it’s beyond repair. At least in the time before she
’d need it for the weekend. They’re leaving in two days.”

  Daniel studied the hem, running his fingers over the tear. He’d hoped it would be only a few inches, but as he took more of the gown in his hands, it did indeed appear to be a long rip. He let out a sigh, not wanting to voice his thoughts. It really was going to be a nearly insurmountable task to fix.

  But this was Leah who was in need. The woman he’d come to care for deeply. The one he thought of when they were apart and of whom he couldn’t take his gaze from when she was near. “It can be done.”

  “Pardon?”

  “I’m going to assist you. We will repair the gown in time. Mrs. Radcliff need never know.”

  “But—”

  He set the gown down and took Leah’s hands in his. “Please. Let me help you.”

  “But your duties? Someone will notice when you’re absent.”

  “The master and mistress are to be gone all of the day, correct?”

  “Yes.”

  Daniel lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “If they’re not here, then they won’t know what we’re up to.”

  “But what of the servants? What if they tattle?”

  “If they can’t locate us, they can’t tattle on what they don’t witness.” He lifted one eyebrow.

  “What are you thinking?”

  With a tilt of his head, Daniel motioned toward the hallway. “There’s a place in the attic, a dark corner that’s hidden by old trunks and furniture. It’s not common for anyone to go up there.”

  “Then how do you know of it?”

  Daniel’s face heated. “When my duties are finished for the day and I’ve no wish to be found for a while…”

  Leah’s mouth dropped open. “You’ve been hiding in the attic?”

  “Now you know my secret.”

  “Hmmm. Something to hold over you. I like that.”

  “Do you now?” He chuckled. “Perhaps I should be frightened.”

  Leah sobered. “Did you mean it? Will you really help me?”

  “Of course. I’ve no other choice.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because it breaks my heart to see you cry.”

  Leah blinked. “You are so sweet.”

  “No, I just don’t wish anyone to know my secret about hiding in the attic.”

  She giggled and reached to swat his shoulder but he backed away.

  Daniel stood, scooped the gown over one arm, and then helped Leah to her feet. “Shall we?”

  The fabric of the gown rustled against Daniel’s coat as he and Leah hurried down the hall, around the corner, and to the attic entrance. Why couldn’t the gown be silent? It was if it wanted someone to discover their deception. Quiet down, will you?

  Leah climbed the stairs first, a small sewing kit tucked in her bodice. Daniel had told her she needed to precede him so he could make sure she didn’t fall. Actually, he wished to watch her rounded hips move side to side as she climbed. So what if he took pleasure in watching the object of his desire? He was a man, after all.

  Heat pooled in his belly and his mouth went dry. Good heavens, the woman was beautiful.

  “Daniel?”

  Startled, he glanced up. She was at the top of the steps, staring at him. Caught. His face heated again.

  “Are you unwell? You’ve gone all red in the face.”

  “Fine. Perfectly… fine.” Get a hold of yourself. You’ve a mission to accomplish, and staring at Leah’s backside won’t get it done. But wouldn’t it be wonderful… Stop it. Daniel made sure he had a good grasp on the gown and that he wouldn’t get his own boot caught in the hem to make the tear even worse.

  He reached the top, letting out a relieved breath. He hadn’t realized how much more difficult it would be to climb using only one free hand. “Here.” He placed the gown in Leah’s arms.

  She glanced around. “I’ve never been up here. But then, I have only been here a few weeks.”

  Is that all? To Daniel it felt as if he’d known her forever. He opened one of the trunks and removed a large quilt. Spreading it on the floor in the corner, he helped Leah lay the gown on the blanket. “Hopefully, this will keep the majority of dust from the dress. That way there will be less for us to clean after it’s repaired. Unless you’d like one of the maids to clean it.”

  Leah shook her head quickly, dislodging a few strands from her pins. “I don’t want the maids to know. I don’t want anyone else to know. You’d help me clean it, as well?”

  “If you’d rather I didn’t… I can always leave you to your own devices up here and—”

  “No!” She grabbed his arm and darted a quick glance around the dark enclosure. Was she fearful of what might be lurking in the corners? “Don’t you dare.”

  He chuckled. “I wouldn’t.”

  “You’re always so quick to tease. Are you not ever serious about anything?”

  “When it’s important I can be.”

  She nodded but looked away. What did that mean? Was she upset that he so often made sport of things?

  Daniel glanced down at his sleeve where her fingers clutched so tightly her knuckles had whitened. “You will have to release my arm for a moment.”

  She lowered her eyebrows. “Why?”

  “I have to retrieve a lantern, unless you want to try and fix the gown in the dark.”

  “Probably not a good idea, I’m guessing.”

  “Agreed.” Daniel reluctantly pulled his arm from Leah’s grasp. Oh that he could have her touch him so all the time. He found the lantern he kept hidden behind an old armoire and made his way back to her, the soft light now discovering secrets once hidden in dim corners.

  Setting the lantern between and slightly behind them, Daniel picked up part of the hem. “Let’s see what we have here, shall we?”

  “I already know what we have. A grand mess.”

  “Leah.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “It’s going to be fine.”

  “Thank you for… for helping me.”

  “I don’t mind.”

  “Truly?”

  “Truly. Although it might come at a price.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “In what way, may I ask?”

  “You’ll have to wait until the dress is finished to find that out.” He grinned.

  “Honestly, Daniel, a jester surely does not make more jokes than you.”

  “But you said earlier that you like it when I make you laugh.”

  “True. But…” Her gaze lowered to the floor.

  “What?”

  “Nothing. Let’s get to work.”

  Daniel nodded but wished she’d finished her thought. She liked it when he teased her. She’d said so more than once. Was there something about that, about him that she didn’t find appealing?

  “Is something amiss?”

  He shook his head to dispel his thoughts and then focused on her.

  Leah was waving her hand in front of his face. “I thought you were ready to work on the gown?”

  “I am. Here.” He reached toward her, palm up. “Hand me some pins, and I’ll start at this end.”

  Leah reached into her sewing kit, now in her lap, and grabbed a handful of pins. “Here you are. Be careful. Don’t want to stick you.”

  “Wouldn’t be good to get blood on the gown.”

  “I meant, I didn’t want to harm you.”

  “But wouldn’t you be willing to… kiss my injuries away?”

  Even in the dim light, her reddened cheeks were obvious. “Oh…”

  Everything in him longed to lean toward her, take her in his arms again, but this time it wouldn’t be to dry her tears. No, he’d peer deeply into her blue eyes, breathe in her scent, and press his lips to hers.

  But the moment wasn’t right.

  “Perhaps we should keep working.” Daniel sighed and continued to pin up the ragged edge of the torn hem. It would be a long day and sleepless night.

  Chapter Four

  Leah smoothed the wrinkles from her dress as she got situated on the ca
rriage seat. She stifled a yawn, still tired from working the whole previous day and night to repair Cecilia’s gown. Thankfully, Cecilia and Mr. Radcliff hadn’t returned from their outing until quite late. Leah and Daniel had taken a break from their labor and returned to the Radcliff’s rooms a full half-hour before they’d come back and Mr. Radcliff would require Daniel’s assistance in preparing for bed.

  Leah had spent some time with Cecilia, knowing her friend would want to tell her about her day, then she’d rushed back to the attic. Daniel had met her there a short time later. Leah knew she could tell Cecilia of her accident with the gown and that Cecilia would be forgiving of it. But Leah hadn’t wanted to cause her friend any distress. Also, since Leah had earned Cecilia’s trust, she had no wish to lose it.

  Voices came from outside the carriage. Daniel climbed inside and sat down next to her. Right next to her. She raised one eyebrow.

  “Funny how all of the Radcliff’s extra clothing has been placed all on one bench, leaving you and me to share the other.”

  “Yes. Funny, that.”

  “Why do I get the impression that you—” She pointed to his chest. “—might have had something to do with that?”

  “Leah Hunter, what kind of man do you take me for?” He widened his dark eyes, appearing the innocent.

  “Because I’ve known you long enough to realize it’s exactly the sort of thing you would do.”

  Daniel let out an exaggerated sigh. “I’m so misunderstood. Taking the blame for things about which I had no choice.”

  “You had no choice but to sit right next to me?”

  “Of course.”

  “I’m not sure I follow.” She crossed her arms.

  “You see, when I was told that the Radcliffs needed more than one carriage to transport their things for the weekend, and that you and I would be in the second carriage. I put the Radcliff’s extra items on that seat there,” he pointed, “so it was directly behind the coachman.”

  “Go on.”

  “And then to balance the weight of the carriage, you and I could sit, um… well…”

  Leah giggled. “You’re incorrigible.”

  “I can’t help what I’ve become. I suppose we could place the blame on my parents.”