Laura's Second Chance (Widows of Virginia Book #2)(6)

But while the building might have seen better days, the inhabitants seemed cheerful and warm. Arthur’s mother – both a housekeeper and a cook – instantly grew fond of Laura.

“He’s inside, Mrs. Bennet,” Arthur joined her inside and jerked his head towards the end of the hallway and the big door. Light fell through the upper half made of tinted glass capturing the dust floating in the air.

“Thank you.” She smiled at the boy, knocked gently and cracked the door open.

Robert’s office reflected his personality – weathered, but artistic. He sat behind a large oak table, an island of clean space in an otherwise cluttered room. Her eyes wandered from bookshelf to bookshelf, from painting to painting, until they settled on her host again.

Robert looked up as soon as Laura entered.

“You must think me a dreadful host.” He smiled and waved at the paperwork stacked in several piles in front of him. “I leave for a few weeks and there you see… Some of the matters were quite urgent.”

He cleared his throat and rose from his seat.

“But I didn’t want to miss a chance to have a chat. And surely even a busy man deserves a tea break.”

He walked up to her and gestured to a small, round table near a large window overlooking the garden. Plates were already set and the sight of a large pile of treats made her mouth water.

“How’re you faring?” He asked pulling back a chair for her. Such a gentleman…

“Quite all right,” she said sitting down. “It’s a lot to take in. But it was nice to stretch my legs after all the travel. I wondered how I could make myself useful here. After all I don’t want to be a burden on you.”

“You could never be a burden Laura.” He took a bite from a muffin.

“Maybe…” she ignored his remark, as the way he glanced at her made her blush. “Maybe, I could tend to the garden?”

Robert chuckled. “Right, that’s a great idea. I have to admit I didn’t know what to do with it since my mother died.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Robert. Maybe I shouldn’t have brought up the garden.”

“Don’t worry.” He reached for another treat. “It’s been a while.”

Robert poured them some tea and handed her a cup. He leaned back in the chair opposite Laura and sipped his tea.

“We haven’t had the chance to talk,” he finally said in a more serious tone.

“Aren’t we talking now?” Laura smiled, a shiver running down her spine, as he looked at her unblinkingly.

“No. I mean really talk.” He leaned forward, placed his cup on the saucer and sneaked a glance at her, before continuing. “You – you haven’t changed much since last I saw you.”

“Oh?”

“Still as beautiful.”

“Oh, come now. You’re being too nice,” she said, cheeks burning. “I have aged... As have you.”

“Really?” He looked down at himself and coughed into a closed fist. “Well, I hope it’s not too bad.”

Laura choked on her tea. She set the cup down on the table. “Now Robert, don’t be so modest. I’m sure women have batted their eyes at you more than once. What with your fine physique and… and…”

Realizing what she had said, Laura stopped, a reddish color spreading across her face. She cleared her throat.

“Now, would you stop with the flattery? I’m too old to fall for that.”

“Age is just a number. What matters most is the heart and soul. And yours don’t seem to grow old.”

She couldn’t help but smiling, he always had a way with words.

“With that smooth tongue of yours, it’s hard to believe you’re still unmarried.”

He shook his head, chuckling.

“Don’t you laugh now, Mr. Smith.” She wagged her finger at him. “I remember how easily you wooed my friends with your little tricks. And then you left them hanging and heartbroken.”

“Those were the old days,” he said with a clouded expression in his eyes. “I was young and foolish, and I regret having made some of them cry. They certainly didn’t deserve having their hearts broken by a scoundrel like me.”

Even though she had joked, and even though she knew he knew, he still felt the need to clear it up. That serious note in his half-joking tone made her pause.

“And then you just had to leave for Europe. Travel with your father… See the world,” she teased.

“But my heart never left,” he said. “It chose to stay.”

His statement and the look on his face stole her breath away.

“Do you wish to know where I left it?” Robert continued, peering closely at her.

Yes. She wanted to know. But she was also afraid.

“Robert…”

He knelt in front of her, and she gasped. This can’t be happening! Not on my first day…

“Here.” He reached for her hand and clasped it in his. “This is where I left it.”

“Please don’t do this now.” She couldn’t look him in the eye. His touch sent chills down her arms.

“And I wish to know if my heart will be welcomed – or crushed.” He turned his bright eyes at her.

“I can’t give you an answer right,” she blurted out and immediately snatched her hand away. She looked away from the disappointed look on his face. “Please, you have to understand. This is all a bit sudden.”