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

moment."
    "Might I join you? I'd like to meet the people who work the land."
    "I'm afraid Mrs. Spry will not be up to receiving visitors. She has been ill of late. She lost a babe some weeks ago."
    "Oh, the poor dear. In that case, I insist.” She turned to slide from her mount and this time he caught her about the waist.
    The shock on her face had him pulling back quickly. “You shouldn't jump down like that. You're liable to twist your ankle,” he grumbled.
    "I am not fragile, my lord."
    He noted the flush of her cheeks and the faint trembling of her hand as she adjusted her spectacles, and sighed. He shouldn't have touched her.
    She glanced away and tugged firmly on her gloves, her lips pulled tight. “I am rather—sturdy and have perfectly good ankles."
    He wasn't quite sure if the remark was meant to keep him from assisting her again, or merely a bit of female modesty. Although she was not fragile, she was a woman with succulent curves he longed to explore.
    "I would never describe you as sturdy,” he said.
    "Why not? It is the truth, after all."
    "Not my truth."
    She lifted her gaze to his and his heart lurched at the hopeful warmth pouring from the depths of her eyes.
    Daft. He had to be if he believed that is what he saw. He spun on his heels and strode toward the cottage before he acted on his imaginings and did the unthinkable.
    Like kiss her.
    Alvin Spry opened the door before he could knock. The older gentleman's features were worn, but more with worry over his wife than the years of hard work. Magnus noted the children huddled across the small cottage, as far from his as could be. They'd no doubt watched him arrive through the window.
    "How is your wife?” Magnus asked without preamble.
    "Not much better, your lordship, but I thank you for asking."
    Agatha appeared at his elbow. “My wife, Mr. Spry, Lady Leighton."
    "Good morning, your ladyship."
    Magnus noted her gaze dart around the small cottage. “It's nice to meet you, Mr. Spry. I understand your wife is in poor health."
    "Yes, your ladyship. She lost a babe a few weeks past.” The man blinked away the sudden damp from his eyes.
    Agatha reached out to clasp Spry by the arm. “I am truly sorry for your loss. If you would allow me, I would like to help."
    "Help, your ladyship?"
    She glanced up at Magnus and made some sort of decision, he could see it in her eyes.
    She jerked off her gloves and crossed into the house, a determined stride in her step. “Help, Mr. Spry. To begin with, this house needs a good scrubbing from top to bottom. And you lot,” she said, grinning at the children easing out of the corner. “You each look to me like you could use a bath."
    All four pairs of eyes widened in terror and Agatha giggled. “And directly after, a large slice of cake. No bath, no cake."
    "But your ladyship—” Mr. Spry said, his voice barely a squeak.
    She clasped her hands together and looked about the room. “Now children, we shall need brushes, rags, and a bucket of soapy water to start with."
    Magnus blinked for several seconds before realizing what a unique woman he'd married. She was kind, caring, and considerate. And yet she would never abide his touch.
    Forcing his ever present problem from his mind, he signaled at the oldest of the children. “You there."
    The boy snapped up straight, fear in his eyes, but determined to not show any sign of weakness in front of his father or siblings.
    "Go to the house and tell Cook to send a few maids to assist Lady Leighton,” Magnus ordered.
    Agatha spun and looked at him, her gaze searching.
    The boy scrambled to the door and Magnus caught him by the arm. “And a large basket of food...including cake,” he added.
    A slow grin spread over the lad's face then he darted out the door, his fear gone.
    Magnus met Agatha's smile with a small grin.
    "Well,” she said, rubbing her hands together. “If you gentlemen will assist us in removing the furniture so we may scrub down the floors, it would be a