Belles & Beaux by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9798985587425
Publisher: Bluestocking Belles

Declan sat across from Jonah Mullins in the cozy kitchen, let the fire’s warmth seep into his bones, and sipped Jenna’s hot chocolate, while the hum of excited children recounting The Great Snow War to their mother filled the air.

He listened to Jonah with half an ear. His eyes, his mind, and a growing piece of his heart occupied themselves entirely with the woman who sat in the corner cuddling baby Samuel. Maera’s serenity and joy filled his soul. The kiss had teetered on disaster. When he leaned in to peck her check he meant only to tease, but desire overwhelmed him and froze him in place. He thanked whatever angels guarded fools that he came to his senses before he embarrassed the woman in front of the children.

“Has he not spoken to ye?” Jonah’s conversation deserved all of Declan’s attention, and he pulled his mind from the soft curve of an arm around a little one to the man across from him.

“My brother has spoken to me of little except the drainage in the lower fields, the one area where I am of some use.”

“We’re going to dam the burn, then?”

“Not dam it; divert it, and set up a drainage pond. That will keep that strip of land you hold beyond it from flooding, and give several tenants more arable land as well. I’m proposing a bridge to enable you to bring in the crops with less trouble too. Come out with me when I check my calculations, and see if I’ve missed anything.”

“He’ll raise the rents.”

Again. The word hung in the air. Mullins farmed the same bit of Alworth land his father and grandfather had. His father and Declan’s dealt fairly with one another, and the Mullins family prospered. Since Rod assumed the title five years ago, relations had not been the same.

“Probably. Let’s hope higher yields make up the difference.” There was nothing Declan could do about it in any case except try to improve the land when asked. Maera nodded over Samuel’s head, and he realized with a start she had been following the conversation. Her approval gratified him.

“It’s that sorry we are you’re gone to Glasgow, Mr. Declan. You are sorely missed,” Jonah said.

“Will all your boys want to farm, Jonah? Or will you send one to apprentice with me in time?”

“Me, Da!!” Jake interrupted. “I want to be a builder.” At nine he was yet a bit young but it wouldn’t be long. Declan wondered if Jonah could spare him.

“Someone has been appropriating all my snuggle time,” Declan said rising to his feet. He reached for Samuel, and she gave him over without objection. The boy had grown in the past month.

Declan rubbed his nose in Samuel’s hair and then bumped nose to nose. The baby reached up and grabbed the scarf tied loosely around Declan’s neck. “Oh no, you don’t,” the man said, repeating his words in a silly voice until he drew a smile and a giggle from the boy.

Maera pretended upset. “Fickle.

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