Nothing to Commend Her by Jo Barrett Read Free Book Online Page A

opened his mouth to inquire about its purpose, but decided to remain silent on the subject. Quizzing her was not the way to begin, and yet he wanted to know everything about her. He cursed himself for not courting her properly, learning about her likes and dislikes, but that was in the past.
    He strode out the door behind her and climbed into the saddle. Mr. Skylar assisted her onto her horse and with a nod she fell in beside him as they made their way down the lane. Her gaze was on him, he could feel it, and was thankful she rode along his left side, his scars facing away from her.
    She took a deep breath, and said, “It's a lovely day."
    He looked at her and nodded, then could not look away. The sunlight danced in her hair tied in a neat bun at the base of her neck, showing streaks of dark amber. Her cheeks pinkened from his stare and he forced himself to look back to the road.
    "Please tell me about the estate—unless you wish to ride in silence,” she added quickly.
    Taking a steadying breath, he vowed not to look at her as he spoke. She would only distract his thoughts, and then he'd likely say something he'd regret. Like how desperately he wished to kiss her full rosy lips.
    He cleared his throat. “It's a rather large estate,” he began, then listed the holdings, the people, the crops, as if he were explaining it all to a new estate manager, which he did not have. He preferred to handle things firsthand without interference. Once he completed his dissertation, he looked over to see her smiling.
    "Thank you,” she said softly.
    He shrugged, somewhat puzzled as to why she would thank him for his long boring oration, but for whatever reason, she seemed pleased, and that pleased him.
    "I'd like to walk for a bit,” she said. “Do you mind?"
    "Not at all."
    He dismounted and moved to assist her from her horse, but she easily slid down. He tried not to take her actions as a slight, she did seem to be a bit of an independent sort, yet it rankled just the same. He took the reins of their mounts and they began to walk, the horses lumbering along behind them.
    She pulled a notebook from her bag and scratched something inside, but he refrained from asking what she was writing. If she wanted to tell him, he had no doubt she would. She voiced her opinions when she liked, he'd had firsthand experience of that at Crittenden's ball. And yet, she'd kept quiet for the majority of their ride and was a bit tentative at breakfast. Perhaps his snipe at her regarding her duties had stolen her tongue. If only he could retract his words, but her question had struck him deeply. Innocent though it was, he knew why she'd asked about her duties. They were not a typical pair in a typical marriage, not even by the ton's standards.
    She bent to the ground and dug at the dirt.
    He moved closer. “Did you lose something?"
    "Oh, no. I was just—curious,” she said, her face warming.
    "About dirt."
    "Um, yes. It's, um, rather dry. We've not had much rain in the area.” She rose, putting her notebook away, and dusted off her hands. “I enjoy gardening and was, um, curious as to the condition of the soil."
    "I see,” he said, but in truth did not. The soil in the fields would be vastly different than the enriched soil in the gardens near the house. But so as not to hurt her feelings, he didn't mention it.
    They returned to their horses and she allowed him to give her a hand up without recoiling, but he'd noted her shaking. There was no doubt she was still afraid of him, but at least she was attempting to endure his presence. He was grateful for that, and yet hated himself for putting her in such an uncomfortable position in the first place.
    He directed them toward one of the crofts, and a family who'd had rough goings. Although the children were afraid of him, Alvin Spry and his wife were congenial.
    "Who lives here?” she asked as they came to a stop in the small yard.
    "The Sprys.” He dismounted and said, “I'll not be but a