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She stood up in a brusque movement. “You are outrageous!”
He lifted his magnificent body from the chair calmly, as if a gentleman standing because the lady did.
“I understand you have spent all your energy in the estate.” He tried to slow the tone. “Now you could spend a little on you.”
“I will not lower myself by answering to this!” She turned. “Good night.” Marching to the door, she opened it dryly and left.
In her room, Aurelia closed the door and let loose an arrested breath. She sat at her secretary, face in her hands. How was he able to read her with so much accuracy? Or was it just experience with women? Either way, he came too close to her innermost reflections. She had to leave the dining room for fear he saw more of her.
Isolated? Definitely not! She had friends in the village, in the neighbourhood and among the tenants. She lifted her head, eyes resting on a ledger, absent. At this time of year, socializing did not figure among her priorities, in fact. When she had less work to do, she visited with her friends and received friends over for tea and a conversation, no doubt. She usually attended dinners and balls at her neighbours, even if she tended to decline house parties, for she should not be away for long. There was the detail that her neighbours travelled to town during the season. Then the country would be quieter. Her friends in the village and among the tenants remained though.
He clearly meant another type of isolation. The lonely type. He, the man who left her alone for three years. She got used to it. Used to it she would continue. Safer. More sensible. Surer.
Better stop thinking about this nonsense and get down to work.
Chapter Six
The hardest part of spring came to an end not a week later. The sowing, the calving, the lambing, the pigging finished. Those animals tended to their young, and the tenants did not have to stay up all
night to assist them in birth. Neither must Aurelia oversee it. The orchard, the vegetable garden in order, awaited the fruiting. A pause in country life allowed for the spring fair which would be happening in the village, with dance in the evening.
Aurelia loved the fairs! They gave her opportunity to rekindle friendships, meet new people and experience the novelties brought by the vendors. From when she was just a little girl, the fair enchanted her. She did not fail to show when it happened.
She decided to go to dance tonight and leave the visit to the fair for the whole next day. After dinner, she put on one of her ball’s dress from the time she got married. A violet muslin model, she had tried to update with a touch here and there. The dress fell on her like a glove, highlighting her breasts and narrow waist, without exposing too much.
In the motion of climbing up the carriage, she perceived movement in the front porch. Conrad. Damn! Would he never keep to himself, so she could ignore his unsettling presence? He climbed up, sitting in front of her.
He looked irresistible, for a variation. High black boots, breeches and a dark brown coat, all showing off his soldier’s body.
She ogled him inquisitive. She thought he would be smart enough to give her a modicum of space. It appeared he did not undertake such precautions.
“Hughes showed extreme kindness in informing me of your plans for tonight.” He half-smiled sardonic to her, his thin, discoloured lips attracting her attention.
“What? You’re eager to convey the image of an attentive husband?” She pierced him with a contemptuous glint.
“I hadn’t thought of that, but the idea is not bad!”
Barely able take his eyes off her, in a rather old-fashioned dress, she embodied temptation itself. His eyes toured her demure neckline, revealing the smoothest skin he had ever tasted, her covered bosom, where the fabric pushed her delectable breasts forward, her narrow waist. Her rosewood hair recoiled on the top of her head, let ringlets fell around her perfect face. The vision of her stirred him uncomfortably.
He wondered how stupid he had been not to have noticed her from when they got married--or before it. Upon remembering his three years with her in his lonely Indian nights, he started to value what he had and lost.
“Ha! And you imagine anyone will buy it!” She made a dismissive gesture with her hands and he saw her delicate fingers callused by work. “Everyone knows what a lousy husband you are!”
Were, he corrected mentally. He possessed not a shred of intention of going back to old habits. “Surely, my actions will change their minds?” He did not give a damn to what people thought! He wanted to enjoy her company, however much chance came his way.
She shrugged, her face contorted with mistrust. “They can change their minds as much as they want. As for me, I sampled three unpalatable years to be misled.”
“Once bitten, twice shy, as they say.” He mumbled nonchalant. He would not scare her away; let her believe what she wanted.
“Poor answer, my lord.” She crossed her arms over her alluring bosom. “I call it lessons learned.”
“So be it, my lady.” He retreated, unwilling to start a row, when he was aware she loved the fair and did not rest a minute in the last weeks.
The remaining of the journey to the village elapsed in giddy silence.
The market place stood in full swing when they arrived. It seemed the whole village and the people from the estates around came to have their fun after the hard spring work.
Conrad helped her down the carriage and offered her his arm. She took it as she would not make a scene in front of the whole village. People from all social stands came to talk to her, and she tried to give everyone equal attention. They conversed politely with Conrad, but their real enthusiasm directed to her.
