The Rakehell Regency Romance Collection Volume 2(37)

"Did your sisters come down?"



"No, but they have many children, and Jonathan and his wife were going to visit them anyway, so there seemed little point in them journeying so far, and at such great inconvenience to themselves."



"I see. All right, but I won't lie if I'm asked directly," he said in a firm tone.



"No, of course not. I wouldn't expect you to. I'm not ashamed of anything I've done."



"Still, people might take it amiss," he remarked.



"What?"



"Living with me unchaperoned."



"I don't care. I'm old enough, and independent. I can live the way I like," she said bravely, though she suffered a few inner pangs for her brother even more than for herself. A vicar's family was supposed to be above reproach. But was she really doing anything so wrong? She was simply helping a disabled man.



"Opinionated, aren't you?" he said with a grin.



"I just don't believe that every woman, left to her own devices, will make bad choices or fall prey to a marauding male."



He laughed heartily at that. "A good word, marauding."



"You don't strike me as the type."



"Thank you, I think," he replied, patting her hand.



She laughed. "No need to sound insulted. I simply meant that you seem to respect women. I have met men who do, and men who don't. You're definitely in the former category, so I feel safe with you."



"I don't know, Sarah. If you keep stuffing me with food like a Christmas turkey, I shall most definitely be fit to maraud. Or at least be fit to chase you," he teased.



She giggled happily and hugged his arm to her. "I think I'll take my chances. You look a great deal better than you did yesterday, after only a couple of good meals. I'd better get started on those new clothes for you soon. You won't be able to fit into Jonathan's much longer at this rate. You're obviously so much more muscular when you're at a normal weight."



Alexander was pleased with the way she seemed so aware of his body, but remained silent, not wanting to say anything which would betray his manly interest in her.



It would be only natural to be attracted to a female he was living in such close proximity to. She had a wonderful character and was a joy to be with. But there was no point in being too hasty. She was happy to have him stay with her whilst he got back on his feet. He hated being so dependent upon her, but it also gave him plenty of time to get to know her better, make certain of her character.



Fall in love...



He felt almost suffocated by the thought. It was like stepping off a cliff into a deep, dark void.



But with Sarah's arm in his, suddenly the prospect did not seem so frightening. She seemed to buoy him up with her little hand whenever he needed her help. He might well fall in love with her, but he was sure she would lift him to the loftiest heights.



The question was, could he do the same for her? His body wasn't exactly capable of rising to any challenges at the moment, though he had been hoping ever since he had started walking again that he might also regain the use of all parts of his anatomy, not least of which would be his eyes.



But even in the bright sunlight he could feel beating down on his face, there wasn't a hint of shadow, or the outline of a tree or wall. All was black. He tried not to let the gloom penetrate his soul, and asked her for a description of the countryside they were walking through as they progressed.



"Oh, it's lovely country, lushly green and rolling."



"I can hear cattle, and sheep. Smell them too."



"Oh, yes," she confirmed, and began to describe them in detail to keep him entertained. She had seen his grim looks, had sensed him withdrawing into himself, and was determined to chivvy him along lest he grow despondent.



She led him down the road to the schoolhouse and dropped off the basket. She introduced Alexander to the new schoolteacher Mr. Baxter, and they spoke about Jonathan's wedding for a brief time before heading on to the Millers' house.



Mrs. Miller was a kind soul with a vast number of children and a very ill husband. She was out working in the garden, but it was heavy labor for such a small woman.



"What are you digging?" Alexander asked, hearing the sound of the shovel in the soil.



"A potato drill."



He stripped off his coat and jacket and took the implement from her.



"But Alexander-" Sarah began to protest.



"Go inside and have a little visit with Mrs. Miller, Sarah, dear. I'll be finished shortly."



The women both tried to talk him out of it, but to no avail. Sarah worried about him out in the sun by himself on such uneven ground, and also hoped he would not dig up any of the existing crops. When Sarah could stand the suspense no longer and peeked out, she saw a perfectly even and straight trench.