She held it more closely to her, tucking the handle around her elbow. “Yes. I fetch the post every Thursday. I enjoy the walk.”
“Do you often sit under a tree to read your letters?”
Was that actually a teasing tone he used? It seemed foreign coming from him. Butterflies appeared in her stomach and she couldn’t stop a slight blush. She looked down into her basket and nodded to the crumpled letter. “I received a letter from my brother today. Adam serves as a midshipman on the HMS Explorer along the Barbary Coast. His letters can be infrequent and I was eager to read his news.”
“No wonder you were so engrossed. Are you close to him?”
Sara shook her head. “Not particularly. He is several years older than I and was always rebellious. He caused my parents a fair amount of grief. He was always out of the house, doing as he pleased. The Navy has been good for him, though. I look forward to his letters.”
“And your parents? Do you see them often?”
She glanced at him, wondering at his inquisitiveness. Was he genuinely interested or merely making small talk? “No, they both passed away some years ago.”
“My condolences.”
“Thank you.” Sara pointed out another path, one narrower than the rest. “That path leads along the side of a rock face and up a steep climb, coming full circle close to here. It is safe, but one must be cautious. That large rock that looks like an old man is the marker. I recommend walking it; there is a beautiful view of the countryside and a waterfall at the top.”
“I will keep that in mind. Tell me more about the school. How is the teaching divided? Do you have individual students to focus on, as with governessing, or do you teach according to subject, as in university?”
She was grateful for his continued interest. She had not known how to respond or interpret his earlier comment on their ambition. Sarcasm seemed inherent in this man. “We teach according to subject and age. With the younger children, their education consists primarily of basic literacy, numeracy and etiquette.”
“Ah yes, the foundations of our esteemed society.”
There was the sarcasm again. She risked another glance at him, but quickly averted it.
“You have stopped speaking again. You do that frequently.”
Sara forced herself to speak. “I apologize.” They were nearing the end of the path; the light was increasing and she could hear cows.
Mr. Grant stopped and put a hand on her arm, stopping her as well. The contact was light, but Sara felt his touch vibrate all the way to her bones. Shocked, she pulled away.
He dropped his hand to his side. “You do not need to apologize. It is clear that I keep saying something to cause you distress. If you tell me what it is, I can avoid upsetting you in the future.”
She looked in the direction of the clearing, wondering how to answer him.
Mr. Grant shrugged and gave that sardonic smile of his. “If you don’t say anything, I will simply assume that you are a poor conversationalist.”
Her eyes flew to his and he chuckled. “A reaction. Now tell me what the matter is.”
“I do not know what you mean,” Sara blurted out. Shocked by her audacity, her hand flew up and covered her mouth. Disrespectful girl!
He chuckled again. “That is more like it. Tell me what’s on your mind.”
Sara shook her head, her hand still over her mouth.
He reached and gently pulled her hand away. He kept her hand in his and Sara could feel her skin prickle where he touched her. The prickles swam up over her skin, drawing all of her attention to where his skin met hers.
Mr. Grant shifted until he stood so close that she would have to move to see around him. He held her chin up, forcing her to meet his eyes. The prickles now danced around her chin and she instinctively parted her mouth.
“There is nothing to fear,” he murmured. “It is just you and me and there will be no judgment for speaking your mind. Just tell me what you want.”
Sara stared into his eyes. The ice blue orbs began to warm, giving a soft glow that pulled her in. Looking that deep into his eyes, something welled up in her, a sense of security and assurance. He said there was no judgment and she believed him. No harsh reprimand, no chastisement awaited her.