The Lady's Disgrace by Callie Hutton Read Free Book Online Page B

out to the valley. A low stone wall surrounded the village part of the area, with the emerald green hillside dotted with sheep, goats and cows. A large space was enclosed by a wooden fence where about twenty horses grazed.
    “Do you think you will be happy here? Away from the excitement and bustle of London?”
    Abigail turned toward him, a sad smile on her face. “After three Seasons, London had already become tiresome. In fact, I had suggested to Redgrave that once we were married we cut the Season short and return to his country manor.”
    “And?”
    She shrugged. “He didn’t want to leave Town. Said he had too many obligations there. I guess I know now what those obligations were.”
    Joseph reached across the space and took her hand in his. “Please try to put that all behind you. The man is a worthless cur.”
    “Oh, look. Someone’s pig got loose!” Abigail giggled as they watched two young boys attempting to capture the animal, which was having none of it.
    “That’s John and Matthew Dinger,” Joseph said. “The Dinger family has five children, most of them more than ready to start school.”
    “Oh, dear.” Abigail’s hand flew to cover her mouth.
    Running down the road, apparently attempting to help her big brothers, little Agnes Dinger, no more than perhaps three years, joined the chase. As they watched, the pig stopped and snorted. He turned and started back toward the little girl, who came to a halt, wide-eyed, her feet seeming to be frozen to the ground.
    Joseph tapped on the ceiling of the carriage to notify the driver to a stop. He flung open the door, both he and Abigail jumping out. “Get back inside,” he shouted at her.
    Ignoring his command, she sped to the left of the road, while Joseph took the right side. The pig continued to give chase, and finally the little girl spun on her little legs and ran toward her house. But the pig was faster.
    Joseph began shouting and waving at the pig, trying to chase him in another direction, but he continued on his path toward Agnes. He picked up a few stones and tossed them, but the animal ignored them, focused as he was on his prize.
    Agnes spotted Abigail and turned, her chubby legs trying very hard to run to her. Joseph continued to call out to the pig, casting a few more pebbles. The brothers were getting closer to catching the animal, but the beast was too close to Agnes for Joseph’s liking.
    Abigail sped up, reached the little girl, and scooped her into her arms. Joseph’s heart almost stopped when the pig crashed into Abigail’s legs, sending both her and Agnes sprawling on the ground. Then in the way of animals, the pig stopped, grunted a few times and wandered away.
    “Abigail!” Joseph was nearly out of breath when he reached her side. Agnes was crying, her little face scrunched up.
    Joseph pulled Agnes from Abigail’s arms, then after giving her a quick once over, handed her off to her brother. He dropped to his knees and turned Abigail over. “Are you all right?”
    Her face revealed numerous marks where gravel from the pathway had scraped her skin. “I’m fine. How is the little girl?”
    “You are not fine. Your face is all scratched up. I told you to return to the carriage.”
    She groaned as she started to stand.
    “Agnes is fine. Well, she’s a little frightened, but her brothers took her home.”
    “And the pig?”
    Joseph helped her up, clutching her to his side as her steps faltered. “The pig decided to return home as well.”
    Abigail stumbled again, and Joseph lifted her into his arms and headed to the carriage.
    “For heaven’s sake, put me down. I can walk.”
    “You do not follow instructions well. I told you to go back into the carriage.”
    “And if I had, the little girl might have been hurt.”
    “Nonsense. Between me and her brothers we would have rescued her.”
    Abigail crossed her arms over her chest and snorted. “Hardly. I was the closest to her.”
    Joseph climbed into the carriage, still