Storm by Jayne Fresina Read Free Book Online

differently in London, Duchess. You'll have to forgive this country boy who never learned society manners." Smiling across at her, Storm tried his best with the charm again, but she looked down at her plate, those admired lips tightening rather than loosening. He shifted, tapping his fingers on the table. "Although, we're not in London, are we? So that means you ought to abide by our country customs and rules. In which case, I can look at your lips to my heart's content. Fair game since I found you on my land, remember?"
    Her gaze snapped up at him again, the jade color afire with scorn, as if she might take a lump out of his flesh if he made the wrong move.
    "Good lord, Duchess," he muttered. "You needn't be afraid of the Bumble Trout; it is they who should fear you."
    Suddenly hearing hooves in the yard, he looked over at the door, expecting his plowman. The rain had eased. It was nothing now but a fine mist hovering in the air. A thin, early sun, struggling to make itself shown and felt through the lingering clouds, reached over his doorstep with tentative fingers, and through this light came a figure he did not expect.
    "Deverell, I want a word with you."
    He got up immediately, chair legs scraping loudly across the flagged floor. His neighbor, Joss Restarick, stood in the doorframe, feet apart, fists at his sides, eyes angrily assessing the interior of the farmhouse.
    "You and your—" Joss stopped when his dark gaze alighted upon the woman sat there. His eyes widened and then slyly narrowed again at once. Storm could almost hear the man's mind ticking over as he measured the attractiveness of the strange female.
    "What's your business here, Restarick?" He moved to block the other man's view of his housekeeper, extremely possessive suddenly when he'd never suffered the sensation in his life before.
    "I see you've got company. I'll come back later."
    "Not necessary." He gestured toward the yard and then followed the other man out.
    * * * *
    Kate didn't like to eavesdrop, but their raised voices were hard to ignore.
    "I just heard you mean to bid on the Putnam place, Deverell. But I'd advise you and your father to stay home, save your time and your coin."
    "Thank you for the counsel, Restarick, but I'll see you at the auction tomorrow. Wouldn't miss it for the world."
    "Aren't you farming more than you can manage now? I've got my brother to help me, and one day soon I'll have sons."
    "Have to get a wife first, don't you?"
    "I'll have no trouble doing that. Unlike you, I'm not afraid of marriage. I'll find a good, strong, sturdy wench before too long."
    "I wish you luck with that." Deverell chuckled.
    "Don't need luck. I know what I want and I can set my mind to it. Your problem is you've got a wandering eye. You'll grow old, all alone, with no sons to help you on the land. Should have settled with Sally White."
    "I appreciate your concern for me. Go home, Joss, while you still have one to go to. Before the bank calls in your debt."
    "Been listening to nasty rumor again, eh? I suppose it makes a change for you to hear gossip about a family other than your own. Who's the petticoat sharing your breakfast then? Doesn't look local."
    "She's not."
    "Sally won't think much of you taking up with a fancy town lass."
    "Sally can think what she likes."
    "Where did you find her then? She's a sweet piece. A bit dainty and ladylike for you."
    Realizing that Flynn was listening to the men too, Kate snapped hurriedly, "Eat your breakfast. It's none of our business."
    The boy nodded and she got up to wipe his chin with her handkerchief. Although she assured herself that she wasn't interested in their debate, she looked out through the open door anyway and had a clear view of the two men standing with a puddle between them.
    "Mind you don't break her," the one called Restarick continued, choking with laughter. "I daresay she's accustomed to the hands of a gentleman, not the great clodhoppers of a clumsy plow horse."
    The reply was a