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“O h, for the nerve of that man!” Sally exclaimed, shifting the basket in her arms as she and Tabitha walked toward the small, red-bricked house with white shutters.

“Honestly, Miss Tabitha, I don’t think that man will ever change.

He’ll always be so full of himself that there won’t be any room for others inside his heart. ”

Tabitha really shouldn’t have told Sally about Nic, but she desperately needed someone to talk with about it.

She needed someone to listen to her frustrations.

Of course, she swore Sally to secrecy. “He’d tried to show me that he’d changed, and at times, I thought he had.

” She shook her head. “But you are correct, Sally. Men like Lord Hawthorne never alter their lives no matter what.”

Several hours ago, this was the very idea pushing Tabitha into her aunt’s kitchen as she took out her frustrations on making pastries. She had needed something to slam against the cooking board, and since it was out of the question to use Nic’s head, she chose to use dough instead.

It bothered her that even as much as she knew what kind of a man Lord Hawthorne was, she still kept him in her mind.

Two hours of making pastries; Shrewsbury cake, bread and butter pudding with currants, and jam tartlets, she finally came to a decision.

The only way to stop thinking about Nic was to replace him.

Although she felt she wasn’t ready to find a husband, she must. It was the only way.

She climbed the porch and stopped in front of the door.

She rapped her knuckles on the hard wood, anticipating the moment the door would be answered.

She glanced at the basket in Sally’s arms. The aroma from the pastries they had made earlier still smelled heavenly.

After all, the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach…

and what better way than to make such tasty morsels?

“Do you think he’ll like these?” Tabitha asked her maid, nodding toward the house.

“Of course. This is what one would call a mouth-watering basket—not the pathetic excuse Lord Hawthorne had brought to your meeting.”

“I agree.” Although, Tabitha couldn’t come down too hard on Nic. He really hadn’t known any better.

When nobody answered the door, Tabitha frowned. “Perhaps he’s not home.”

Sally leaned closer to the door and pressed her ear against the wood. Suddenly, her eyes enlarged and she quickly pulled back. “I hear someone coming now.”

Seconds later, the door opened, and when the man locked gazes with Tabitha, his smile grew. “Miss Tabitha. What a surprise to see you.”

“Good day, Mr. Jacobs. I hope my maid and I aren’t inconveniencing you, but we made some pastries earlier, and because we had so many left over, I just had to share them.”

“Pastries?” His eyes moved to the basket and he licked his lips. “Miss Tabitha, you have a heart of gold. Please come inside.” He opened the door wider, limping as he moved.

“Oh, think nothing of it, Mr. Jacobs.” Tabitha went in first as Sally followed. “We are just happy that you’ll eat them.”

Chuckling, he shut the door. “If they taste half as good as they smell, I won’t just eat them—I’ll devour them.” He motioned his hand toward the sofas. “Would you care to sit and visit for a little while?”

“Yes, we do have some time to visit.” Tabitha sat on one of the sofas and Sally settled beside her.

Scanning the meager front room, she noticed it was cleaner today than when she and Sally had been here before.

Then again, the man didn’t have servants.

It was just him and his daughter. Once more, she moved her gaze around the room, but this time, she listened for any sounds of Joanna.

The little girl would be out of school by now. Tabitha didn’t detect any other sounds.

“Mr. Jacobs? Where is your lovely daughter? I’d hoped to see her again as well.”

His smile faltered. “Joanna has been working in the afternoons for Mr. and Mrs. Littleton as a way to help bring in extra money while I’m laid up. My leg hasn’t allowed me to work for very long during the day in my barn.” He shrugged. “The pay my daughter receives is not a lot, but it does help.”

Tabitha’s heart twisted. She knew very well how it was to help a parent earn money to put food on the table. Thankfully, though, her mother had a great employer—Lady Mathis, may she rest in peace.

“Mr. Jacobs, have you informed Mr. Woodland of your situation?”

His eyebrows arched in skepticism. “The clergyman? Why would I inform him?”

Sally glanced at Tabitha with a raised brow, looking at her as if she’d grown two heads. Obviously, Tabitha had spoken out of turn.

“To see if he knows of anyone who will be able to help you.” She folded her hands in her lap. “Forgive me if it’s none of my business, but I would think a man of God could assist you in some way. Also, he might know of others who could lend a helping hand until you’re back on your feet.”

Sighing deeply, he rubbed his forehead. “Miss Tabitha, I do appreciate your thoughtfulness, but I am a prideful man. It’s extremely hard for me to tell people of my dire situation. I’m not certain at this time whether I want Mr. Woodland knowing about my circumstances.”

“Please accept my apology then.” She smiled. “I didn’t mean to offend.”

“Oh no, you didn’t offend me at all, I assure you.”

“Then I shan’t say a thing to the clergyman, either. Unless you want me to.”

He chuckled. “No, Miss Tabitha. My knee is gradually healing and I’m sure I’ll be back to working all day in my barn very soon.”

“That’s very good to know.”

Perhaps it was wrong of her to offer the clergyman’s—Nic’s—services, but the idea merely slipped from her mouth.

Regardless, she wanted Mr. Jacobs to know she cared about him.

He was a very nice man, after all. During Aunt Clara’s birthday party, Tabitha had noticed him looking at her quite a bit.

He had talked to her a few times, almost in a flirty way.

The man was perhaps ten years Nic’s senior.

Where the marquess had dark hair, Mr. Jacobs was nearly blond.

His eyes were a deep brown, and granted, they didn’t have that flirtatious twinkle in them like Nic’s did, but Mr. Jacobs was still a fairly good-looking man.

For being a blacksmith, she half expected his body to be more muscular, but unfortunately, Nic still had broader shoulders and more muscles in his arms and legs.

What am I thinking? It didn’t matter if Mr. Jacobs wasn’t built like Lord Hawthorne. Inside a person was what mattered. So far, Mr. Jacobs had shown her a kind and loving man. Nic…well, all he’d shown her was how seductive he could be.

“Would you like to try one of my pastries?” She pointed to the basket as Sally brought it toward him.

“I thought you would never ask.” His grin broadened as he looked inside. “They all look so tasty.”

He withdrew a jam tartlet and then bit into it. Satisfaction spread across his face. Tabitha smiled, relieved that he enjoyed them. The blacksmith sighed heavily. His gaze met hers and the look in his eyes told her she had gained his favor. At least with her pastries.

“Miss Tabitha, I’ve never tasted anything so wonderful. Indeed, you are a magnificent cook.”

She laughed. “You may want to hold that thought until after you have eaten a meal I’ve prepared. I fear you may change your mind.”

“Never.”

“Well, your compliment is very kind, nonetheless, and I shall cherish it always.” She stood quickly, and Sally rose as well. “I believe we have stayed too long,” Tabitha continued. “I hope to see you again very soon.”

Mr. Jacobs scrambled to his feet, using the crutch to lean on. “Indeed you shall.” He limped toward the door and opened it. “It was lovely visiting with you, Miss Tabitha. And I thank you again for these delicious pastries.”

“You are very welcome.” Tabitha stepped outside and stopped. “I’ll send Sally back later to collect the basket. But you had better save some of those treats for your daughter, Mr. Jacobs, or I shall be very vexed with you.”

“Not to worry. I shall save her some.”

“Good day,” she said and turned to walk back toward the street.

Once they were far enough away from the house, Sally quickened her step until she stood next to Tabitha.

“Miss Tabitha, I must admit, I was quite surprised at you.”

She glanced at Sally and arched an eyebrow. “You were? Whatever for?”

“You were being mighty sweet on that man. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you act in such a way.” Sally giggled. “I was rather proud of you, in fact.”

An unlady-like laugh escaped Tabitha’s mouth, and she quickly covered it with her hand. “You were proud of me?”

“Yes. I do believe you are finally acting like a lady instead of the servant you’ve been for most of your life.”

Shaking her head, Tabitha twisted her hands, keeping her gaze ahead of them.

“I don’t think I shall ever become the lady my half-brothers wish me to be.

But I’m tired of trying to protect myself from men like Lord Elliot…

and Lord Hawthorne.” When Sally opened her mouth to talk, Tabitha held up a hand to stop her.

“I know Hawthorne is nothing like Lord Elliot, but in the same respect, he is because he enjoys breaking women’s hearts.

Nevertheless, I’m moving on with my life and away from Hawthorne.

At the moment, I find Mr. Jacobs interesting, and that’s why I acted as I did while we were at his house. ”

A light wind blew from the east, flinging a lock of Sally’s hair across her face. Swiping her finger around the curl, she hooked it behind her ear. “I think Mr. Jacobs took notice. You will see more of him, I’m quite certain of it.”