Page 13 of His Unforgettable Bride (Bride Ships: New Voyages #4)
Thirteen
Nothing marks the gentleman so soon
and so decidedly as quiet, refined ease of manner.
S tanding before the church, the one downtown with the pretty stained glass, Juliet discreetly covered her yawn with her hand, trying her best to appear ladylike. Thoughts of Ruby’s arrival yesterday had crawled through her mind nonstop during the service, and she’d barely slept last night.
Gray stood beside her and raised a brow. “Bored beyond belief?”
“Heavens no.” She glanced around, hoping nobody overheard his comment.
Livy and Tabitha conversed with friends closer to the wide front steps and in the shadows of a giant fir tree. Soon, they’d all trek back up the hill for the noon meal.
Juliet drew the fresh Sunday morning air into her lungs.
Gray did likewise. “Not that I was studying you, but you appeared a dozen miles away during the sermon. Some might say two dozen.”
“I have much on my mind, I suppose.” She couldn’t tell him about Ruby but wished to confide in someone. Too bad her bride-ship friends lived elsewhere.
She raised her eyes to heaven. Then toward a noisy group of women on the front lawn, where the sun beamed brightly on their yellow, green, and pink dresses and hats. Juliet smoothed down the folds of Tabitha’s borrowed garment without drawing attention to herself. Snippets of the ladies’ conversation reached her ears— tearoom , grand opening , dance , and can barely wait .
Gray leaned closer and whispered, “You are distracted again.”
“No, I’m not.” Daydreaming was ill-mannered, according to Tabitha. The sooner she steered Gray’s thoughts away from her, the better. “Do you think Mr. Kelly can teach you all you need to know about carpentry?”
“Based on my conversation with him before bed, I believe so. But we shall have to wait and see.”
Cy had been relieved and overjoyed when she’d returned to him yesterday and invited him back to the house. The sisters met with him in the drawing room for a while before finally coming out and announcing they had hired him for room and board.
“Quite the shame his gout kept him from church this beautiful morning.” Since Cy’s ailment prevented him from climbing the staircase, Gray had temporarily relocated to Tabitha’s bedchamber after much deliberation. And Tabitha moved into the empty room next to it, placing herself between Juliet and Gray. “That was quite the debate yesterday, trying to determine which upstairs room to assign you.”
He chuckled, then lowered his voice. “I was surprised Tabitha did not employ a yardstick to measure the distance from doorway to doorway before reaching the decision.”
“It is all ridiculous, in my opinion, though I believe Livy is less concerned about keeping you and me apart.” From the corner of her eye, Juliet caught Livy drawing closer, the young pastor at her side. Her monstrous fur-trimmed hat almost smacked the poor clergyman’s head.
Most likely, Reverend Channing was five years older than Juliet. Freckles dotted his full cheeks and the bridge of his nose. She dubbed his hair an auburn hue, and someone had cut his locks incredibly short. If he stood taller than her, it was only by a whisper.
Livy gestured to her companion as they stopped before her and Gray. “Juliet Dash, please meet Reverend Channing. He is new to town, like you. And Reverend Channing, may I present Miss Dash. Although she is in our employment, she’s practically part of our family already.”
Juliet’s eyes widened. Practically family? What a kind but outlandish thing to say. Somehow, Juliet found her voice. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Thank you for your lovely sermon this morning.”
He smiled, displaying a straight row of teeth. “A distinct pleasure to meet you, as well, Miss Dash. Knowing what part of God’s message appeals the most to my flock is helpful. Can you pinpoint something specific?”
“Yes, Juliet.” Gray was smirking. “What did you find most illuminating?”
She shot him a narrowed look. “All of it, I believe, especially the ending. I mean the prayer…at the end.”
Either Gray coughed or laughed, his eyes full of merriment. If she could legally throttle him, she might.
Livy slapped his back as if she believed he had choked. “And this young man, Reverend, is our nephew, Alex Sherwood. He’s kindly helping us renovate our tearoom.”
The hatless reverend cupped his hand over his brow, avoiding the direct sunshine. “The upcoming event is the talk of the town. Like everyone else, I’m excited to attend, since I relish a good cup of tea most evenings.”
After nodding, Gray shook hands with the reverend. “Good morning, Reverend.” He didn’t bother to correct Livy by stating he might not be her nephew. It was probably easier than kicking up a complicated discussion on amnesia. “I, for one, particularly appreciated your message on truthfulness.” Gray’s expression was overly serious, except for his eyes, which still teased her.
Laughter bubbled up in Juliet. This time, she was the one coughing or choking to hold back her humor. And Livy moved to her and slapped her back. “There, there, dear. It’s the humid air after so much rain. It makes me cough sometimes, too.”
Juliet cleared her throat, trying to hold back more laughter. She needed to get away before she embarrassed herself and the sisters. “If nobody minds, I’ll return to the house to check on Mr. Kelly.”
“Of course, Juliet.” Livy beamed. “You’re always thinking of others.”
Oh, she was thinking of others, all right, namely Gray. And how she’d like to give him a swift kick. “Excuse me, please.”
As she turned to leave, Reverend Channing called, “I hope to see you soon, Miss Dash. You as well, Mr. Sherwood.”
What? Was Gray returning home, too? Her heart sped as she strolled away from the church, crisp leaves crunching underneath her shoes.
In no time, he reached her side and extended his elbow. “May I escort you back to the house? A proper young lady always accepts a gentleman’s invitation.”
Snakes alive, she longed to roll her eyes. She gripped his elbow instead. “You’re quite the tease.”
“Thank you.” He sounded proud of the fact.
She chuckled as a gray squirrel crossed their path, its cheeks full of nuts for the winter. The sun beat on her brow, and she lowered her shawl off her shoulders.
With one hand, Gray unbuttoned his boxy knee-length overcoat, another castoff from the late Mr. Sherwood. “Who do you think taught me manners?”
“My first guess is nobody,” she jested.
“Touché, which is French for point taken.”
“Parents or a governess, I suppose. It must be hard not to recollect your past.”
He peered at her, his gaze thoughtful. “And also difficult to recall too much, I assume.”
A rush of warmth spread inside Juliet, catching her by surprise. Why did he notice things others didn’t? Had God poured an extra dose of goodness into his heart? Most likely. “What a twist that I long to forget a chunk of my memories, and you desperately crave to recall your share.”
As they strolled up the hill arm in arm, they chattered and bantered the whole way. Juliet’s heart grew lighter with each step until it almost felt like it might float away.
Her life now was everything she wanted, wasn’t it? That’s what she’d told Livy about her goal on her first day in Everly—something about having a roof over her head, feeling safe and secure, and holding a steady job.
But deep inside, didn’t she desire more?
Of course, she’d imagined someday getting married if the right man came along. But truthfully, she’d always put off the idea for one reason or another. Even with the fellas who’d come calling on her when she’d lived in Victoria, she’d had excuses for why she didn’t want to court them.
Was she afraid of getting married and possibly having children? Afraid to allow herself to dream that she could have a future filled with her own family? Afraid that she’d lose everything again?
That was silly. But Ruby’s threats certainly weren’t. Juliet shook her head and then stumbled.
In the middle of recounting something funny Livy had done yesterday, Gray tightened his grip on her arm, keeping her upright and tugging her closer to his side.
As she regained her balance, their hips bumped.
He halted his story mid-sentence.
Suddenly, she was keenly aware of the long, hard length of his body against hers, the grip of his fingers on her arm, and the slightly labored breaths he was taking. She could almost feel his warmth and strength, stirring the memory of their encounter yesterday in the carriage house when she’d dropped her scarf.
She closed her eyes briefly at the remembrance of the dark heat in his eyes and the warmth that had seared through her, making her breathless with a strange wanting. It was a wanting she’d never felt before but liked.
And that wanting rippled through her again.
“Are you all right?” he asked, slowing his steps to match hers.
“Yes, I think so.”
“Rest steady, for I shall strive always to keep you safe.”
Had anyone ever spoken something similar to her before? Not that she recalled. Nor had she ever expected anyone to do so. Yet, she didn’t hate Gray’s concern for her welfare. Likewise, she intended to watch out for him. “Thank you, sir.”
He dipped his head. “My pleasure.”
Although she preferred not to ponder the matter, she couldn’t stop wondering if he had a woman waiting for him somewhere. Nobody would want to lose a man like him. The sisters said their nephew wasn’t married, but that didn’t mean someone special hadn’t caught his eye.
Gray ambled even slower. “I think the reverend may set his hat for you.”
“Don’t be…absurd.” There had been a glint of matchmaker in Livy’s eyes, though.
“If I recall, you mentioned wanting a husband who is decent, kind, and stable.”
“Did I? Well, those are admirable qualities.”
“The reverend certainly has them all from what I could ascertain.”
“Perhaps he does.” Should she be more interested in getting to know the reverend? Because she wasn’t.
“Not at all unstable like someone we both know.” Although Gray spoke the reference to himself in a light voice, he grew morose.
And suddenly, a gloominess embraced her, too. There was no denying an attraction was blossoming between them, but clearly, they both understood it could never go anywhere. Not even a little bit of anywhere.