“Deserve?” she said, rather breathlessly.

“Deserve,” he replied firmly. He slipped the shoe over her foot, then did the same with the other one.

Harriet held her feet before her and regarded the shoes solemnly. “They’re quite pretty, aren’t they?”

“They’re beautiful.” He met her gaze and smiled. “You have lovely ankles as well.”

Harriet’s heart skipped a beat. She’d been having a horrid day up until then. She’d awoken late, her hair wouldn’t stay in its braid, she’d hit her shin on a stool, and the knob to her wardrobe door had broken, which was why the door had been standing ajar. Added to that, her blasted boots had been determined to stay off her feet.

She looked at the delicate slippers, so incongruous against her faded skirts. “They fit so well. As if made for me.”

He glanced up at her, his eyes shadowed by the fall of hair over his brows. There was a hint of mischief in his gaze, something seductive and wild. Harriet’s heart leapt as if in response. “I—I—” She what? She loved the shoes? Loved having him sitting so close? Loved the feel of his hands on her ankles?

Heat flooded her face, and she cleared her throat. “I suppose everyone is waiting on me.”

“We can’t be long. Derrick seemed to think you’d returned to get the lunch basket.”

“And you were going to carry it for me? I’m honored.”

He grinned. “Don’t be. I just wanted to steal some cheese before Derrick could get to it.”

“He’s a growing boy.”

“He’s a greedy menace.”

“That too.”

He stood. “May I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Why do you work so hard?”

She blinked. “Because there are so many things to do and so…I do them. Besides, work is good for the soul.”

“Perhaps it is,” he said musingly. He reached down and took her hand, then pulled her to her feet. “What would you do if you weren’t tied here, to Garrett Park?”

“I don’t consider it tied. I love my home. But if I had the money, I suppose I’d like to travel.”

“Where?”

She thought a moment, her gaze finding the tips of her slippers. “To London.”

He raised his brows. “That’s not that far from here. A day’s journey, if that.”

“I know.” She held out one foot and then the other. “I always thought to take these with me for my season, but by then, Father had overspent the investment funds and there was no money for such things. But one day…”

“One day?” he prompted.

She caught his gaze and smiled. “One day I shall wear these shoes and dance with—” She broke off, her cheeks heating.

“With?”

“With someone other than my brothers.” She chuckled. “Neither one can dance at all. Stephen is forever stepping on my feet, and Derrick forgets he is even dancing and frequently comes to a complete stop.”

Chase looked down at her, amazed at her spirit. Even through her wistfulness, there was an air of contentment, of satisfaction with who she was and what she wanted. More than he, who’d had every luxury, every advantage, had ever felt.