A Country Affair Read Online Free PDF

smiled.
    "You thought I had forgotten you, and it would serve you right if I had. But, as you can see, I have returned."
    Now, if the cow would only behave, Selina could finish making the soup before she was too tired to stir it.
    She settled herself back down on the stool and held the bucket between her feet. Clarissa, perhaps feeling contrite for running her mistress off, stood perfectly still this time; and, as her milk squirted into the bucket, and her warmth encompassed them both in a sweet-smelling cocoon, Selina's mind began to wander.
    It did not have to wander far to light upon Mr. Lint.
    His appearance, after they had given him up for lost, would have been welcome at any time, but it had come as a pure blessing today. If they could secure Lord Webb as a customer for their trees by impressing his steward, then other customers should follow. Selina only hoped that Caesar's antics had not ruined their chances of winning him over.
    Mr. Lint did not seem to hold the incident against them. Nor had he seemed too discomfited by the notion of conducting his business solely with her. In fact, he had behaved more considerately than she could possibly have wished. Just as he had seemed more the gentleman—and a taller gentleman at that—than she could ever have dreamed.
    For a moment, Selina allowed her thoughts to drift back to her first view of him: tall and straight, woolen breeches hugging a pair of strong legs, an elegant jacket fitting his broad shoulders to perfection. Then, when she had stood, she had seen a lean, handsome face, a hint of humor in his blue eyes. And a spark of something else . . . .
    There, she chastised herself as she stood to pick up the bucket. She must not go thinking he had admired her looks. He had not gawked, at least. She was used to rude reactions to her height, and to ignoring them. Nothing could be done to change her size, and it had come as an advantage under their impoverished circumstances. With no men about, other than Lucas, who was far too old for most chores, it was fortunate she had grown so tall.
    All the same, it had been a novel experience to have a man gaze at her so. A man with intelligence, manners and wit, and not one of the country bumpkins she had grown so used to. Selina sighed. It was almost surprising how elegant he was, but then, a great aristocrat like Lord Webb would naturally have an exceptional man for his steward.
    Selina hauled the bucket into the house and covered it, leaving the milk to be skimmed later. That was something Augustus could do. She would miss his help when he was gone. And him.
    Not allowing herself to dwell upon that sad day, still in the murky future, she turned to her soup with a will. One beneficial thing about working as hard as she did was the appetite it raised. No matter how exhausted she felt, she could usually summon the energy to make supper. And the stranger's offer to mend the fence had given her enough lift that she hardly felt tired tonight.
    By the time Mr. Lint and Augustus had finished setting new rails to the enclosure, Selina had finished the soup and cut and fried great slabs of bacon. Before seeking out the laborers, she retreated upstairs to her room and, ignoring the chill, changed her gown. Her fresh one was as old and as out-of-date as the last, but at least it was clean, and she knew its warm colors became her. She brushed the straw out of her hair with a wicked stroke, then tied it back with the yellow ribbons she had bought at the last fair.
    She had never had an occasion to wear the ribbons, but Mr. Lint was an important customer and she must do what she could to impress him, she told herself.
    With this virtuous thought in mind, Selina walked back downstairs and, needing a lantern now, carried one out to the barn.
    The sound of male voices, and the clang of metal being scraped, helped her to locate the objects of her search. Augustus was cleaning mud from the tools, while laughing at something his companion had