Carola Dunn by Christmas in the Country Read Free Book Online

all tenants. Why?” He frowned. “I suppose the Felversham people will be your—”
     “Oh no, I should not dream of nosing about before....” Cecily’s cheeks grew hot again. “It is just that Mama told me not to ride beyond the estate. She meant the park, I daresay, but that is not what she said.”
     “Fortunately it is not my business to see that you follow Lady Flint’s orders, express or implied! However, it looks like rain.”
     “A wetting will not melt me, I assure you.”
     Iain studied her face. The ready blush had faded, leaving the roses of good health in her cheeks and slightly parted lips. Great blue eyes, an incredibly dark shade, looked up at him appealingly. Glossy brown curls peeked from beneath that ridiculous little hat.
     Jasper was a lucky devil, and he didn’t even seem to know it.
     “I daresay you won’t take a chill,” Iain said gruffly, yielding to temptation, “as long as you change out of wet clothes quickly. Come with me if you wish, but first promise you will not enter where I suspect infection.”
     She promised. He cupped his hands to throw her up into the saddle, where she sat with the ease of a practised horsewoman though the dapple mare danced a little in her eagerness to be off.
     “You ride well,” he said, mounting Hippocrates and turning the gelding’s head towards the village. “It is truly the fox’s fate which deters you from hunting, then, not a dislike of the exercise.”
     “Oh yes, I love to ride. I grew up in the country, and one of the frustrations of spending so much time in Town this past year has been the lack of a place for a good gallop.”
     “I can imagine. In my hunting days, it was the ride I enjoyed, not the pursuit.”
     “The Duke must be disappointed in you for dropping out of the hunt. I am afraid I sadly shocked him,” she added with a saucy smile.
     “Prodigiously, though you recovered his esteem with the chess game. You must not suppose, because he is obsessed with hunting, that my uncle is a bad landlord. Felversham and its farms are in excellent condition, and he takes good care of his dependents. With his example to follow, I’m sure Jasper will become an admirable duke.”
     “No doubt,” Lady Cecily murmured, not noticeably impressed by his attempt to boost his cousin’s standing in her eyes. “He seems to like to spend a great deal of time in London.”
     “And you do not care for life in Town?” Iain asked, unable to stop himself though he ought to be trying to reconcile her to Jasper’s preferences. “You spoke of frustrations.”
     “I do not mean to complain. I enjoy balls and parties and the theatre and concerts and everything. Only not every single night! And to be constantly changing one’s dress, and endlessly standing still to try on new gowns—well, you cannot conceive how tiresome it is. I like pretty clothes, but I am sure I could do very well with not half so many.”
     “That’s a most becoming habit you’re wearing,” he said, seeing not the habit but the slender, rounded, pliable figure within it. Hastily he raised his eyes to her face.
     Their gazes caught and held. Which was the first to look away, Iain was not sure. Lady Cecily burst into speech.
     “I daresay residing in London is pleasanter when one is not making one’s come-out. As a married lady, I will surely be able to spend an occasional evening quietly at home!”
      “Undoubtedly.” But would Jasper stay at home with her? Doing his best to sound convinced and convincing, Iain went on, “Very likely my cousin will choose to spend more time at Felversham once he is wed.”
     “It is charming country,” she said, looking round distractedly, as if she had scarcely noticed where they were.
     The muddy lane led downhill between leafless thorn hedges. On one side a still muddier ploughed field stretched to the further hedge. On the other, dank, dun grass surrounded a lightning-blasted oak overgrown with dismally