Page 17 of Love Beyond Reach (Morna’s Legacy #11)

“ P sst …”

It was only mid-morning, still too early for Father to leave on his ride. So I sat in the garden watching Elspeth prune her beloved flowers as I heard the noise for the second time.

“Psst...”

Turning to look for the source of the noise, I found Jerry peeking around one of the garden’s tallest bushes. He waved me toward him with one finger while he quietly called to me.

“Come here, lass. I wish to show ye something. Ye willna wish to miss it.”

Making my excuses to Elspeth, I hurried after him. He latched onto my hand and quickly pulled me away from the garden the moment I reached him.

“What is it? Why are we running?”

I lifted my dress with my free hand so I could keep up with him. We ran together all the way to the small woods just opposite Kip’s stables. Jerry said nothing until he pulled up short behind a wide tree.

“It may take a few moments, but we canna miss it. Lean over and watch, but doona let Kip see ye. He willna do it if he knows he’s being watched.”

My curiosity was piqued. I lay my hands against the tree trunk for support and leaned far over to my left. All I could see was the side of the stables.

“What am I watching for?”

I stilled as Jerry’s hands touched the trunk on either side of my waist. He leaned forward, his front pressed against my back, his cheek just a hair’s width from my own as he waited and watched with me.

“Ye’ll know the moment ye see it, I’m certain.”

It seemed as if days passed before Kip left the stable and moved where we could see him.

All the while Jerry remained with his arms around me.

I was so aware of his breathing that I didn’t notice how my own had escalated until I glanced down to see my bosom rise and fall with humiliating speed.

Inhaling deeply, I tried to forget about how it felt to have Jerry so close and focus on the scene in front of me.

Kip paced the length of the stable, muttering something to himself that neither of us could hear. After three full lengths of pacing, I saw Mary approaching, and my heart nearly stopped.

“Do ye mean? Does Kip mean to?”

Lifting his left arm from the tree’s trunk, Jerry placed his finger against my lips to silence me. The warmth of his breath against my neck caused me to shiver all over.

“Shh lass, just watch.”

Mary looked shocked to find Kip standing outside the stables, but it didn’t take long for her to fall into conversation with him.

I watched with joy as Kip fidgeted nervously from foot to foot. I was certain he wasn’t hearing a word Mary was saying—he was too busy trying to gather his courage.

She didn’t realize what he meant to do at first. Even as Kip reached for her hands, Mary continued to chatter away as if nothing were odd about his behavior.

The moment she realized what Kip was doing, her hands flew to her mouth and she started to cry.

Even unable to hear the words that passed between them, I knew her answer by the way her arms flew around his neck.

The moment they kissed, I turned away, not wanting to intrude on their private moment. Unthinking, I turned right into Jerry’s wide arms.

I couldn’t move without touching him, and he didn’t pull away as I stood with my nose level with his chin.

Desperate to decrease the tension between us, I began to chatter away incessantly.

“Thank ye for bringing me here. I canna believe Kip finally gathered the courage. Mary will be so happy. They’re suited nicely, I think. I…”

His breath still warm against my ear, Jerry spoke. “Hush, lash. They’re still here. Do ye wish for us to be found out?”

Why didn’t he step away? I hated how nervous I felt in front of him.

I responded in a whisper. “No, o’course I doona. Is this what ye spoke to Kip about?”

He nodded. “Aye.”

“I wouldna have thought ye a romantic, Jerry.”

He leaned back just far enough so that he could look down at me. His eyes lingered on my lips. I desperately wanted to duck and move away from him.

Just as I was about to run, he pulled away.

“They’re gone now. I’ve a heart for romance when it comes to others. I’ve no interest in it myself.”

I knew little of love, but I knew every word Jerry said was a lie. If my own discomfort hadn’t been so evident, I had no doubt Jerry would’ve kissed me.

“Is that so? Do ye not worry that ye will be lonely?”

His voice was colder than usual when he spoke. The intimacy between us only moments ago was gone, and that Jerry was now replaced with someone distant and dismissive.

“Do ye believe marriage means ye willna be lonely? I’ve known many who were far more lonely once married than they ever were before.”

Although I found the notion depressing, I suspected it to be true.

“Mayhap so. Did ye know I’ve another suitor arriving tomorrow?”

His brows lifted in surprise. The thought of another man coming here with the intent to marry me bothered him. His jaw clenched and his hands bunched into fists as soon as I told him. His actions and words were at complete odds with one another.

“Why are ye telling me that? I doona believe yer father will wish me to dine with all of ye again. Even as much as he likes me, now that I am castle staff, there is no place for me at the table.”

“I only thought ye should know so that ye willna be surprised if I doona have as much time to devote to my magic.”

Huffing, Jerry turned and began the walk back to the castle.

“Lass, I’d wager ye will spend more time in yer basement once he arrives. This fool will bore ye just as much as the last.”

I hurried to follow after him.

“Why would ye say that? Ye doona know him.”

“I doona need to know him. I know ye. Any lad yer father picks willna suit ye.”

I was inclined to agree with him.

“Jerry, if I dinna know any better, I’d say ye were jealous of me spending time with someone other than ye.”

Keeping his back toward me, he increased his speed.

“’Tis good that ye know better then. I’ll not be coming to the spell room today. Let me know if ye find anything.”

Grinning, I went in search of Mary to congratulate her.

Whether he realized it or not, Jerry was definitely jealous.