Dropping the trowel she had been using to plant a tray of fresh pansies, she approached him. He had been away from the plantation a great deal in the past few days, which had created a perpetual knot of anxiety within her soul. Although he was equally capable of issuing commands, not to mention being aroused by her humiliations, Gabriel’s presence continued to serve as a strong counterbalance to Preston’s cruel amusement and Kruin’s contempt. Lydia dusted dirt from her hands as she climbed the veranda steps. Something inside her calmed as she met his warm, green eyes. He poured a glass of lemonade from a pitcher that rested on the veranda table and held it out to her. Lydia accepted the glass gratefully and took a long swallow, closing her eyes as the sweet, tangy liquid flowed down her throat. “You’ve all been gone quite a bit lately,” she remarked, drawing her fingers across her lips to wipe away lingering drops of lemonade.
