His lips turned upward as she walked across the grass. Her slender hips swayed under the yellow muslin dress. His smile turned into a large grin as he noticed her beautiful blond hair was put up into a loose chignon. Tendrils blew across her heart-shaped face. His heartbeat increased the nearer she came.
“Are you ready?” she asked once she’d reached him.
“Not really,” he admitted.
“They will be pleased to meet you.”
He assisted her onto the mare and then climbed on his horse. “If you say so. I am not quite certain they shall all be happy to see me again.”
They started at a slow trot. “You might be surprised. The key to getting to know your tenants is listening. Put away your fears and just hear what they are saying. Most of their issues are with the upkeep of their homes.”
If their homes were anything like his own, he could understand their irritation with him. He would have to talk to his steward and get the needed repairs done on the tenants’ homes to appease them.
They arrived at the Pattersons’ home first. Colin looked up at the house in the daylight and could see the repairs needed on the thatched roof. After he helped Selina down, they walked toward the house. Little Mary opened the door before they reached it and ran toward him. She launched herself into his arms.
“Thank you,” she said as her chubby arms latched around his neck.
Surprised at the warmth suffusing him, he held the little girl tight against his chest. “What is this about?”
Mary pulled back and looked at him. “Davie said you saved Miss Molly.”
“Miss Molly?”
“My doll,” she said with a giggle.
“Mary, you are getting to be such a big girl,” Selina said. “It’s almost your birthday, isn’t it?”
Mary’s brown eyes sparkled. She lifted her hand and put up four fingers. “Four.”
“Very good,” Colin remarked. Slowly, he put her down and instantly missed her.
“Is Davie at home?” Selina asked.
Mary nodded. “He’s in bed. Mama told him not to move.”
Colin could only imagine the pain that caused the boy. Nothing would stop him from getting outside when he was a lad. Mary took his hand and led him inside.
“Mama, he’s here.”
“Who is here—” Mrs. Patterson stopped and curtsied. “Your Grace.”
“Mrs. Patterson,” he said with a nod. “How is Davie this morning?”
“He’s mad that I won’t let him out of bed.”
“I’ll go take a look at him,” Selina said and then left the room.
“Can I get you some tea, Your Grace?”
Even though he didn’t want tea, he didn’t wish to insult the woman. “Yes, that would be lovely.”
“Please sit down,” Mrs. Patterson said as she put the kettle on to boil.
As soon as he sat, Mary clamored up on his lap. She stuck her thumb in her mouth and rested her head against his chest. He smiled down at the little cherub, again wondering what it would feel like to have his own child sitting on his lap.
“Looks like you made a new friend, Your Grace.”
“She told me Davie admitted the truth.”