Mary took Anna's advice and tried not to let that strange moment affect her relationship with Tom. She was determined that the two parent their children and co-manage the estate as if nothing had happened. Except that they were rarely alone together. Whenever they were, Mary tried to fill the silence with talks of the estate. Barely twenty-four hours after the picnic Mary and Tom were at the agent's office, going over the budget for the new year.
"With the new tenant at Yewtree farm, we can expect roughly the same income we had from the Drewes," Tom said. Mary gave him a look. "I know, I know, but it was the right thing to do."
"Very well," she said. "No changes to the budget in that direction. Where are we with the cows at the grange?"
"I've spoken with Palmer and he's rebuilding the fence. And how much longer are we going to talk about cows and pigs before we discuss what happened yesterday?"
Mary fixed him with a stare. "Do we need to discuss it?"
"So your plan is just to pretend it never happened. Well, that may work for you, but it won't work for me," he said, leaning against the desk.
"Alright," she said calmly, "I'd be interested in an explanation, if you have one."
Tom chuckled a little at her stature. She was so proud and proper, the way she spoke she might be addressing parliament, rather than asking her brother-in-law why he'd kissed her. She raised an eyebrow. "Something funny?"
"For once in your life, Lady Mary, will you lighten up?" he said as he stepped towards her. "I mean, yes, I kissed you. And no, I don't really have an explanation for it, but is it really the end of the world?"
In spite of herself, Mary smiled. "I was upset," she admitted. "And confused. But it's not fair of me to place all the blame on you. You kissed me, but I kissed you back."
"Yes, I noticed that too," he said, walking over to the bookcase where she stood. He leaned against it. "And that moment was perfect. The one after it was not," he laughed, "but that one moment was perfect." Mary smiled and met his eyes as he came nearer. He thought for a moment and they both studied each other. Finally he started to lean towards her. She tilted her head back. Their lips inched together...
"Excuse me," a voice came from the office door. They both stopped and turned towards it. Mr. Mason stood there, holding a small basket of vegetables. "I wanted to thank you – and the staff at the abbey – for allowing me to have the farm," he said. Tom stepped away from Mary and greeted the man with a friendly smile. Without blinking he accepted the basket and started to talk to him about the pig farm.
Mary's mind was racing. They had very nearly kissed a second time! And much to her own amazement, she had wanted it to happen. She had been in such a daze since he had first kissed her, and yet she wanted him to do it again! What was happening? Was she actually starting to fall for her brother-in-law?
Tom watched her even as old Mason talked to him. He privately smiled at her exasperation. She was torn by impatience and embarrassment. She waited for a break in their conversation and politely excused herself. She left the office and walked out into the afternoon sun. Tom called after her but she went anyway.