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N ic waited patiently for Mr. Jacobs to answer, but as each second passed, curiosity built inside him. Mr. Jacobs was now climbing to the top of Nic’s suspect list of being the church’s thief.

Finally, the other man pulled back his shoulders and raised his chin stubbornly.

“Mr. Woodland, I’m not quite certain what you’re asking.

I had injured my knee while working in my barn, but not too long ago, I sprained my ankle as I tried to rescue my daughter when she fell in a hole.

” He arched an eyebrow. “You were there and saved Joanna. Do you not remember?”

“Of course I remember.” Inwardly, Nic kicked himself for not remembering, but he wasn’t going to let Mr. Jacobs know.

“I had twisted my ankle at that time.” He glanced at Tabitha. “Miss Paget and her maid assisted me home because I had a hard time walking.”

“Forgive me then,” Nic said. “I didn’t realize your ankle was still sore.”

Mr. Jacobs shrugged. “It’s starting to feel better. However, whenever it’s bumped a certain way, it does sting.”

“Once again, Mr. Jacobs,” Mrs. Stiles said, frowning, “I’m truly sorry for knocking into you with my foot.”

He reached over and patted her hand. “No need to apologize. It was an accident.”

The air seemed to crackle throughout the group, and Nic realized he should start a new topic.

Tabitha wasn’t looking at him any longer, and although he wanted her attention more than anything right now, he knew it wouldn’t be wise to obtain it yet.

Not when his feelings were ready to burst from his chest whenever he looked at her.

She was so very lovely this afternoon, it was extremely hard not to stare. If only they were alone.

“Mr. Woodland,” Mrs. Burls said, finally breaking the silence. “I want you to know I’ve noticed a change about you lately.”

Alarm rattled through Nic and he froze. From the corner of his eyes, he noticed Tabitha snap her head toward her aunt, as well. If Mrs. Burls had seen a change in him, then who else had wondered about the clergyman?

“Uh…you have?” he asked the older woman as he lifted his punch to his mouth and sipped.

“Oh, yes. Of course everyone has noticed how much weight you’ve lost since you were sick, but it’s more than that.

” She narrowed her gaze on him. “I have noticed a twinkle in your eyes that hasn’t been there before.

” She grinned. “Am I correct in assuming you have finally decided to start looking for a wife?”

The drink caught in his throat and he choked. He lifted his hand to his mouth, and covered his coughing fit. His eyes watered, so he quickly blinked away the liquid.

“Are you quite all right?” Mrs. Burls asked in a concerned tone.

He nodded. “Yes.” His voice broke, so he cleared his throat. “Your question caught me off guard, I’m afraid.”

“Oh, dear.” The older woman’s cheeks reddened. “I do that sometimes. It’s my worst fault. But when a question comes to mind, I can’t help but blurt it out.”

“I understand.” He smiled. Now he knew where Tabitha got this trait.

“So?” The older woman arched an eyebrow. “Have you decided to start looking for a wife?”

Chuckling, he shook his head. Good grief, this woman was forward…or just being too curious for her own good. “Actually, I haven’t decided anything, Mrs. Burls. In fact, the thought hasn’t come to me as of yet.”

“Oh, don’t you be saying that, Mr. Woodland.” Mrs. Burls wagged her finger at him. “I’m wise beyond my years, and I can see a spark in your eyes…the kind of spark that only a woman can create.”

He grinned. “Then it must be you that creates that certain gleam, Mrs. Burls, because I assure you, no other woman can make me smile the way you can.”

She giggled, her cheeks flaring red once again. From the other side of the veranda, Mrs. Stiles even let out a giddy laugh. Tabitha, however, offered a small smile. She must have not seen the humor in the subject as much as the other two women.

Mr. Jacobs leaned closer to Tabitha and whispered something to her. Suddenly, she beamed and laughed. Jealousy ate away at Nic, making him want to march over to them and break up their little private session.

He gripped his drink with one hand and the plate with the other as irritation simmered inside of him.

How could he stop this anger flowing through him so that the older women didn’t notice his jealousy?

Tabitha didn’t want them knowing his feelings, and he did make a promise—although at this point he wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep it.

Especially after this morning. For a few brief and heart-wrenching moments, he’d thought he’d lost Tabitha.

When she started breathing on her own, his heart soared, and emotion filled his chest. He couldn’t deny his feelings for her now.

Indeed, he loved this woman more than life itself.

This was probably the reason that Mr. Jacobs’ presence grated on Nic’s nerves.

Was the man trying to win Tabitha’s hand?

And what was she doing encouraging the blacksmith’s attention?

Out of the corner of his eyes, Sally walked slowly to the buffet table.

She stirred some dishes and even covered them with lids.

Six months ago, he didn’t get to see much of her while she stayed with Diana and Tabitha at their cottage hideaway.

Sally had been abused severely by her former employer, Lord Elliot, so she had stayed in her room recuperating.

Now as he really studied the younger woman, he realized she was quite attractive.

The maid was possibly in her nineteenth year, but she had the prettiest blonde hair and bright gray eyes.

And her eyes…were constantly moving toward Tabitha and Mr. Jacobs.

Gradually, he released a sigh of relief.

Perhaps there was a way around his jealousy with Mr. Jacobs after all.

As he studied Sally, he could see her fascination with the other man.

If Nic could somehow make Mr. Jacobs aware of Sally, with any luck, the other man would turn his attention to the young maid, instead.

Nic stood and moved to the table. Sally’s gaze snapped to him before she retreated to the corner of the veranda.

He’d seen her act this way before. Once he stopped at the table, he pretended to look over the several plates of dishes as if seeing what he wanted to eat.

He peered up at her, meeting her gaze, and smiled.

“Sally, what are you doing over there? Have you eaten yet?”

Her eyes grew larger and she shook her head. “Of course not, my lo—uh, Mr. Woodland. I will eat afterward, as most servants do.”

He was relieved she didn’t say my lord, which it sounded like she was going to.

“But why? There are just a few of us, and I don’t think any of us will mind you eating now.

” He glanced over his shoulder at the others.

Tabitha watched him with a curious gaze, and the older women appeared shocked that he would suggest such a thing.

Mr. Jacobs looked mildly interested in what was going on though, and that’s what mattered to Nic.

He glanced back at Sally. “Please, get yourself a plate and come sit with us. In fact, you can sit by me.”

Sally’s face paled as her gaze darted to everyone in the group. Nobody said anything, and Nic hoped the older women wouldn’t try to talk him out of it.

“But…” the maid said softly, “I’m a servant.”

“Oh, come now, Sally. We are all equal in the eyes of the Lord.” He tried not to grin.

That line just popped into his head. Strange to think he was acting more and more like a clergyman the longer he portrayed one.

Frederick would certainly get a good laugh over this one.

Nic turned to Mrs. Burls. “Am I correct?”

“Uh…about what, Mr. Woodland?” the older woman asked with great hesitation.

“That we are all equal in the eyes of the Lord, and because of that, I think Sally should be able to eat with us this time.”

Mrs. Burls’ throat lurched as if she had swallowed something hard.

Slowly, she nodded. “I think you are correct. Sally is like family anyway, so I believe she can eat with us.” She turned her attention to the maid.

“Sally, please don’t be shy. Fix yourself a plate and come sit with us, just as Mr. Woodland has asked. ”

He glanced over his shoulder at Tabitha. Worried lines creased around her eyes and mouth as she looked at the maid.

Finally, Tabitha nodded. “Yes, Sally. Please join us.” She stood and set her plate on the chair, and then strode to the table to assist Sally.

After a few minutes, Tabitha returned to her chair with Sally following. She sat between Tabitha and Nic. He waited for her to start eating before speaking to her. Everyone seemed to be at ease, as well.

“So Sally,” he said, turning in his chair to face her, “are you from York like Miss Paget?”

She dropped her gaze to her plate as her cheeks turned red. “No. I’m actually from Mayfair.”

“Oh, what a nice place. I know a few people from there, too.”

Shyly, she glanced at him before her gaze fell to her food again. “Indeed, it’s a very lovely place to live.”

“Are you enjoying yourself in North Devon?”

She bobbed her head. “Immensely.”

“Well, you picked the perfect host to stay with. Mrs. Burls is one of the sweetest women I know.”

Beside him, the older woman laughed. “Oh, Mr. Woodland. You are such a charmer.”

Nic noticed that Mr. Jacobs had his focus on Sally now. Of course he was also paying more attention to the conversation as well.

The other man nodded as he met the maid’s gaze. “I must agree with Mr. Woodland. Mrs. Burls is a wonderful woman. Both she and Mrs. Stiles are very generous. You are truly fortunate to be staying with them.”

Sally’s face darkened with a blush, and Nic held himself back from grinning. Indeed, he was correct when assuming the maid had taken a fancy to the blacksmith.