“Should, yes, though I tend to avoid tasks that include the words ‘should’ or ‘must’ if you understand my meaning.”
“Why?” She watched him, noting how he looked like a young boy who’d been told to finish a mathematical lesson, a task he clearly didn’t want to do.
He shut the book with a thud, earning him a glare from a nearby clerk. “I leave such things to my steward. He’s far more adept at it than me.” He smirked, but Millie saw something else in the depths of his eyes. Could it be hurt?
“I don’t think that’s true.” When he sent her a questioning look, she shrugged. “You are an intelligent person. I have no doubt you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to.”
“Intelligent?” He moved to another table of books. “What makes you say that?”
“Eliza says so for one, but I’ve seen evidence of it myself. You have an excellent memory for cards as I’ve watched you play. You stay abreast of current affairs based on your conversations with others. And you are a good listener proven by how well you remember what others tell you.”
He blinked as if flummoxed by her list.
“Should I go on?” she asked.
Winston cleared his throat. “No need.” He almost looked embarrassed, which she found adorable.
“If you chose to take more of an interest in your estate, I have no doubt you would improve it significantly.” She slowly moved along the rows of books.
“I can only imagine what my steward would say to that.”
“Perhaps it’s time for a new one. A good steward should welcome your involvement and ideas.”
“How do you know such things?” he asked with a curious look.
“My uncle has a steward, and I’ve heard many of his conversations with my father on the matter. It seems to me that no one person can know everything.” She gestured toward the farming book he’d left behind. “New developments are made frequently, even in farming and estate management. Just because something has always been done one way doesn’t mean it is the best way.”
He smiled slowly, a light of what might have been admiration shining in his eyes. “How did you come to be so smart?”
She scoffed. “I am also a good listener.”
“You are being far too modest, although I do admire your listening abilities. So few people bother these days.”
“Another quality we have in common,” she said with a smile and a lingering look before she turned away to continue down the aisle, moving around another customer.
Millie drew a quick breath, hardly able to believe her boldness—or Winston’s response to it. She couldn’t have hoped for more than the interest gleaming in his green eyes.
She paused to look at another book, and he joined her. They discussed the merits of one book after another, and she realized he liked to read more than he admitted.
A pleasurable half hour passed. Winston spoke briefly with another customer he knew but quickly returned to her side as if determined to spend as much time as possible with her. Looking at books had always been enjoyable, but today, it was doubly so.
“Have you read Captain Shaw’s mystery?” Millie asked as they neared the back of the shop where the tall shelves lent an intimacy to the space. No one else had ventured down that particular aisle, allowing them a small measure of privacy.
“I have. Quite clever.”
“Agreed. Tibby is so proud of him.” She smiled at the thought.
“She should be. He should be, as well. He’s an excellent writer.” He pulled a book from a shelf. “Have you read this one?”
Millie stepped closer to look at the book he held, the subtle scent of his cologne catching her notice. Bergamot again. Her knees weakened when she brushed against his arm. “I don’t believe so. Have you?”
She looked up to find him watching her, awareness glittering in his eyes. He shifted to face her, his back to the entrance to the aisle, blocking her from view, and leaned nearer. As if it were the most natural thing to do, she lifted her mouth toward his.
He bent his head and captured her lips. She reached to hold his arm to steady herself, her world tilting as the kiss deepened. Before she could fully appreciate the moment, he drew back, glancing to the side as if he’d heard something.
The action served to remind her of where they were. The moment alone was more than she had hoped for. Another kiss was a dream come true. How could she not have realized how greedy she was, wanting even more time—and kisses—with him?
Winston’s smile eased her angst, and she managed to return it. “I would like more of those,” he whispered.