Charming the Vicar's Daughter by Aileen Fish Read Free Book Online Page A

nothing in Neil’s past to concern any potential father-in-law.
    “He is a minister. Can you blame him for keeping a close watch over his daughter’s reputation?” Mrs. Lewis offered him a look that said her point was obvious.
    So, it was true. There must have been some damage or threat to Miss Cookson’s reputation before Neil arrived on the scene. She didn’t appear to be a wild or flirtatious sort of girl, so he couldn’t imagine she had brought any shame upon herself. Whatever the scandal, the entire town seemed to know of it. Why hadn’t her father married her off to protect her from further speculation? The entire situation left Neil with more questions than answers.
    This was none of his affair. Quite possibly, he wouldn’t return to Bridgethorpe Manor for several years, so he wouldn’t have reason to stop in the village. It mattered not to him whether Miss Cookson ever married. Once he reached London, his thoughts would be occupied by more pressing matters, such as who he could most easily beat at cards.
    If he could only put her from his mind, Miss Cookson would soon be forgotten.  
    When he felt he’d been there long enough, he rose. “Thank you for the tea, Mrs. Lewis. I must see if I can pressure the blacksmith into finishing sooner, so I may be on my way.”
    Mrs. Lewis rose and walked with him to the door. “If your questions are well-meant, Miss Cookson, or her father, is the ones you need to ask.”
    That surprised him. Her pleasant expression didn’t reveal her thoughts, so he wasn’t certain whether she excused her own silence or pushed him toward making that contact. “I will remember that. Good day.”
    Walking down the lane, he debated stopping at the vicarage, but it was in the opposite direction. Paying a call on either the vicar or his daughter would imply an interest he didn’t possess, one far beyond mere curiosity. He proceeded straight to the blacksmith.
    As Knightwick had said, Neil couldn’t change the town in one day, and any more attention from him over the way Miss Cookson was treated would only do the girl more harm than good.
    Turning the corner, he stopped short of knocking down a young woman. His thoughts must have conjured her, for before him stood Miss Cookson. “Good day.”
    Her head snapped upwards and she stared at him, her lips slightly parted. The way her hair and bonnet framed her heart-shaped face emphasized her round cheeks. She looked even prettier than he remembered. Perhaps it was the lack of irritation directed at him in their last meeting that had her glowing in such a peaceful way. “Mr. Harrow. I understood you’d be gone by now.”
    That stung. While her tone was all politeness, the words had a sharper edge, as though she’d been relieved to know he was going. “My horse is at the blacksmith’s. I will be leaving shortly.”
    She flinched at something he said, although he couldn’t understand what would upset her. Moving to step around him, she motioned to her housekeeper. “I hope you have a pleasant journey.”
    He turned to walk beside her and the servant followed. “Thank you. Are you on your way to the vicarage?”
    “I am.”  
    “I will walk with you, if I may.” His head told him to run to the blacksmith’s, but like a bee to honey, he was drawn to be near Miss Cookson. If his cousins saw him, they’d accuse him of having an affection for her, but he knew that was not the situation. He was merely intrigued by her and the air of mystery surrounding her. Once he knew her whole story, he could focus clearly again on setting up his household in London. Reaching for the basket she held on her arm, he added, “May I carry your purchases?”
    Miss Cookson sighed. “You may. I have one more stop to make. Mr. Bellows has added a subscription library to his shop, sponsored by Lord Bridgethorpe. I am eager to see what books he has available.”
    Neil opened the door of Mr. Bellow’s shop when they reached it, and allowed Miss Cookson to