Moonwitch

She caught the flicker of pleasure in Kyle’s eyes as he joined her. Since that morning in Natchez-Under when Kyle had claimed that he preferred her hair loose, she had worn it down in the daytime. Now it was dressed simply, pulled back from her face with combs.

He surveyed her with appreciation, then unwrapped the linen napkin and applied himself to his meal. They chatted amiably while he ate, and when he was done, Kyle put his hands behind his head and lay back on the grass with a contented sigh. “Those apple tarts were the best I’ve ever tasted. I can’t believe they came from Montrose’s kitchens. Not even Martha can cook like that.”

“It was my mother’s recipe. I showed Martha how to make them.”

“Your talents are limitless, Moonwitch.” Glancing up at her, Kyle flashed her a slow grin. “I didn’t realize what a bargain I was getting when I married you.”

It was said in a teasing voice, but it made Selena’s heart ache. She wanted to do more for him than bring him apple tarts. “Kyle,” she said gravely, “do you remember when we talked about Natchez needing a regular steamboat service?”

“Um-hmm.”

“If you were to establish one, how would you go about it?”

“Hypothetically? If I had the necessary capital, I’d commission a shipwright to build a couple of steamboats after Shreve’s design. Then I’d get the legislature to grant a charter and hire a commission agent to handle the business of arranging cargos.”

From his ready answer, she knew he had already given it some thought. “How much capital would it take?” she asked.

Kyle frowned up at the oak branches above his head. “I’d guess about a hundred thousand dollars. But I don’t have that kind of money on hand.”

“What about my dowry?”

“The money from the sale of your plantation? I couldn’t use that.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’d feel like a blasted fortune hunter, that’s why.” He shook his head. “No, if I wanted to start my own steamboat service, I’d sell one of my ships and try to come up with the rest from private investors.”

“Wh

y, if your ships are making a profit? And wouldn’t private investors demand a say in how the service was run? It would be better if you were solely in control.”

“You have a point.”

“Then why don’t you use my dowry? It’s rightfully yours, anyway. You could treat me as an investor, if your conscience won’t let you act otherwise.”

Kyle’s eyes widened in mild shock as he turned his head to stare at her. “You’re really serious.”

“Yes. It would suit you far better than being a planter, wouldn’t it?”

“Of course it would.”

“So why don’t you do it?”

He shrugged uncomfortably. “Because, I’m needed here.”

“It would be necessary to hire a factor, of course, but Rufus is capable of seeing to the harvest, and I can handle the accounting.”

He stared at her a long moment before he slowly began to chuckle. “You’ve been waiting a long time to propose this, haven’t you, Moonwitch?”

The color in her cheeks deepened, but her blush only confirmed Kyle’s suspicion. Shaking his head in amazement, he reached out to take her hand and carry it to his lips. “Do you know the surprising thing? A month ago I would have jumped at the chance to become involved in such a venture, but now… No, Moonwitch. I greatly appreciate your offer, and I may take you up on it someday, but not now.”

“Why not?” Selena queried, disconcerted by the gentle touch of his lips, by the bemusement and affection in his hazel eyes.

“Because I’m just now beginning to make progress with the plantation. With your help, I’ve remedied some of the damage Whitfield caused—and even made the operation better than it was under my father’s rule. There’s a kind of pride in that…” Kyle shifted his glance, gazing thoughtfully up at the sky again. He hadn’t released her hand, and the pressure of his fingers was friendly and warm.

“It isn’t as onerous as I expected,” Kyle said seriously. “Running a plantation isn’t so very different from commanding my ship or dealing with my crew. You’ve made me see that…” He laughed softly then and slanted a glance up at her. “Next you’ll be turning me into a farmer. Imagine, me a farmer.” His eyes danced with rare delight as his gaze locked with hers. “Is there anything you can’t do?”

Yes, Selena thought silently. I can’t make you love me. And I wish with all my heart that I could.