Married For His Convenience. Eleanor Webster

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СКАЧАТЬ followed, his feet squelching in the mud as he placed the basket on the bank. What—

      He stared. The basket rocked as if possessed and a yipping, scratching noise emanated from the wicker slats.

      ‘What on earth have you got in there?’ he asked.

      Miss Martin flushed. Sebastian bent, cautiously peering under the lid. He closed it quickly, stepping away.

      ‘It’s a fox,’ he said.

      ‘Albertina.’

      ‘You have captured a fox?’

      ‘They would have killed her,’ she said.

      ‘What?’

      ‘The hounds.’

      ‘That is the point. And what a fool thing to do. You could have been hurt. It could have bitten you,’ he said.

      ‘No. I wear gloves and follow a strict procedure to prevent injury. I do not approve of fox hunting.’

      He saw no hint of apology or regret in the stubborn lines of her face.

      ‘You ruined the hunt.’

      ‘I saved Albertina’s life. It is a cruel practice. Moreover, their population has been decimated.’ She put her hands to her hips and thrust out a surprisingly full bottom lip. ‘Albertina is a creature that wishes to do no harm.’

      ‘Tell that to the chicken farmer.’

      She opened her mouth as if to argue, hands still at her hips. ‘But—’

      ‘Enough, enough. I refuse to debate the merits of fox hunting while freezing to death on a riverbank.’

      ‘I’m not cold.’

      ‘I am.’

      ‘If you are feeling the chill, there is no reason for you to remain. Indeed, I should go. I must get Albertina away before they spot us.’ Miss Martin spoke quickly, already bending to pick up the basket.

      ‘Leave it. I’ll carry it wherever you are going.’

      ‘I can manage.’

      ‘So far you have managed only to half-drown yourself.’

      ‘I was not in any danger. The stream is not deep, although faster than on previous occasions.’

      ‘You make a habit of this?’ He felt incredulity, irritation and an uncharacteristic desire to laugh.

      ‘Not a habit exactly.’

      ‘You’ve done it before?’

      ‘Yes, but really there is no time for questions.’ She frowned, giving a worried glance towards the ridge.

      ‘Very well. Where to?’ he asked, bending to pick up the basket.

      ‘Just beyond those trees. We’ll be hidden there. Oh...’ She paused briefly. ‘I just realised, you must have been part of the hunt. I hope you are not too disappointed?’

      ‘A rather belated sentiment, but, no, not overly. I’ll be able to get back to London sooner.’

      ‘You do not enjoy country weekends?’

      ‘Not particularly.’

      ‘Are the others leaving as well?’ she asked, a little wistfully.

      ‘I do not know. Had you stayed for breakfast instead of embarking on this fool enterprise you might have ascertained this information in a civilised manner.’

      ‘You think I am ill-mannered?’

      ‘I think you are peculiar.’

      A grin lit up her face. ‘That is an established fact.’

      He felt again a reluctant, unfamiliar tug at his lips. How Edwin would tease and even Elizabeth would giggle if they could see him squelching through mud, accompanied by this bedraggled woman while carting a fox within a basket.

      Or they would have done.

      Before.

      Any desire to laugh deserted him, leaving behind that familiar dull, empty feeling. Forgetting always made remembering worse.

      The wind blew cold. He shivered in his sodden clothing. Now he wanted only to see this woman was safe and waste no more time on foxes.

      ‘Is this suitable?’ he asked abruptly, placing the basket on the ground.

      They’d entered a copse, darkly cool and scented with bark and moss and mushrooms.

      ‘Indeed, and please do not trouble yourself further,’ Miss Martin said. ‘I’ll take her to the barn, once I get Albert and the coast is clear.’

      ‘You’ll what? You are planning to capture a second fox and take them somewhere—’

      ‘Yes, I have a basket back—’

      ‘That is the most foolhardy plan!’

      Sebastian made a sudden decision. Bending, he pulled loose the string of the basket. It rasped through the clasp as he tugged it free, kicking open the lid.

      The fox scuttled out, disappearing within a second.

      ‘Why did you do that?’ Miss Martin turned on him, her pale face suddenly flushed and her straight, thick eyebrows drawn.

      Because it felt so damn good to do something! Because it was a hell of a lot better than waiting.

      Of course, he did not say this. Instead, he spoke in calm, level tones. ‘It is foolish to introduce a fox to a farm or wherever you live.’

      ‘Of course, I do not introduce them. I release them once the hunt is done. I certainly do not wish them to become habituated to human interaction.’

      ‘You could have fooled me.’

      ‘I do not aim to keep them as pets if that is what you are thinking. I aim to save a species which we are likely to drive into extinction.’

      She spoke with surprising dignity for someone dripping wet from head to toe. Tendrils of dark hair had loosened from her bun, dangling about her face. He saw also that, under the folds of clinging cloth, her figure was not as nondescript as he had imagined.

      ‘Well, extinction is postponed for another day,’ he said curtly. ‘The hunt is likely done. Now, I will take you home or to Eavensham before you catch your death.’

      ‘Your further assistance is entirely unnecessary.’ She placed her hands on her hips.

      ‘It is entirely necessary and I have every intention of delivering you to safety.’ He whistled for Jester who immediately stepped across the stream and headed up the bank towards him.

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