Winterberry Fire: A Silver Foxes of Westminster Novella (Winterberry Park Book 2)(11)

He’d been so accommodating to her. He’d tutored her diligently, teaching her so much more than reading. She’d learned maths too, and a bit of history and how the government worked. She’d enjoyed staring at him while he wasn’t looking, memorizing the strong lines of his face, his deep, dark eyes, and the slight dimple in his cheek.

But he’d never been forward with her. He’d never taken advantage of her interest. Her woman’s intuition told her he harbored tender feelings toward her too, but he’d always been professional, never crossed the invisible line of propriety.

She shifted again, looking up at the blank wall as sleep continued to elude her. Did he really have those feelings for her? Or was it all in her imagination? Perhaps she should accept Tad’s offer to take her to the dance.

She flopped to her back, staring at the ceiling and letting out a sigh. No, even if Tim wasn’t madly in love with her, she couldn’t lead Tad on. He wasn’t for her. But she had no idea how to let him down easy.

The question was still rattling around in her brain as she got up, washed and dressed, and went downstairs to start her mountain of tasks for the day.

“Good morning, Ada.”

Tad’s voice startled her out of her thoughts as she buttered her toast at breakfast. She jumped in her chair and turned to give him a tentative smile. “Good morning, Tad.”

She waited, darting her eyes around the table, where the rest of the bleary-eyed staff was trying to eat and wake up. No one was watching her, which meant that Tad would surely try to pry his answer out of her now. She held her breath and waited.

But Tad took a seat at the other end of the table, sending her another smile. She smiled back, then quickly bit into her toast so he didn’t read too much into it.

“The weather is nice, so we’ll start with the carpets today,” Mrs. Musgrave announced from the foot of the table. Mr. Noakes gave her an approving smile from the head. “Ada, I’ll need you to go into town to purchase two more carpet beaters this morning.”

“Yes, Mrs. Musgrave,” Ada said, relieved beyond measure. An errand into town would mean she had time to think. It might even give her a chance to run into Tim. She wouldn’t dare ask him outright if he had plans to invite her to the dance, but at the very least, she could hint about it.

She finished her breakfast quickly, fetched her cloak and winter things from the pegs by the door, and started off for Lanhill as soon as she could.

“Do you want company walking into town?” Tad called after her as she started across the kitchen garden for the lane.

His question set her teeth on edge and brought a blush to her face. “Uh, no, thank you,” she called back to him. Now was the time. Surely he would ask for her answer now.

“All right, then. I’ll see you when you return.” Tad raised his hand to wave before marching on to whatever he was doing, whistling as he went.

Ada frowned as she walked on. Why hadn’t he asked for her answer?

She decided now was not the time to worry about it. Mrs. Musgrave wouldn’t be happy if she dawdled on her errand. The only reason she was asked to go into town instead of the other maids is because she’d proven that she wouldn’t be distracted by gossip or linger to gaze into shop windows.

That didn’t stop her from engaging in conversation when it came to her, though.

“Ada. You’re looking a bit troubled today,” Clara Fallon said as Ada passed in front of the parsonage.

Ada paused, unable to resist fawning over the Fallon’s four toddlers, who were spread out over the winter grass of the vicarage’s yard like puppies set out to play.

“It’s nothing,” she said, smiling at the babies. One of the older ones, either Bonnie or Amelia, Ada couldn’t tell, waddled over to her. She scooped the girl up and cuddled her.

Clara rested a hand on her hip and studied Ada. “That doesn’t look like nothing to me. And squeezing one of these little angels isn’t hiding how troubled you are.”

Ada sent her friend a sideways look. She missed working side-by-side with Clara, like they had when Clara was employed at Winterberry Park. Clara always knew when something was bothering her.

“I’ve had an invitation to the Valentine’s Day dance,” she revealed.

“Did Mr. Turnbridge ask you at last?” Clara’s face lit up.

It fell when Ada shook her head and said, “No, Tad, the footman, asked me.”

“Oh.” Clara’s shoulders fell. “That doesn’t sound right.”

“It doesn’t. I wouldn’t have thought Tad had it in him to ask. Besides which, I wasn’t aware he had any sort of tender feelings for me. At least, not until just recently.”

“Has he made advances toward you?” Clara looked worried.

“Not exactly,” Ada sighed. “Though he has stared more lately.”

“Stared?” Clara burst into laughter. “Young men are so ridiculous sometimes.” She paused. “Unless it was an inappropriate stare.”

“No. That’s what’s so puzzling. He never showed me much interest, but now he looks at me like he ought to.”

“Ought to?”

Ada sighed. “It’s hard to explain. Regardless, I couldn’t possibly accept his invitation to the dance.” She finished her statement, then her face pinched as she questioned herself.