The Bluestocking's Whirlwind Liaison by Bronwyn Scott

Author:Bronwyn Scott
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-04-26T15:51:39+00:00

* * *

The cider press was held in the big barn on the Hall’s property, with the press at one end, manned by her father and the local men, the food at the other end and dancing in the middle. The barn smelled of hay and apples, not an unpleasant smell on a cold autumn night, and was filled with the sounds of people enjoying themselves. Becca couldn’t help but smile the moment she stepped indoors, her spirits lifting at the sounds of music.

She spotted Jules with her father and the other men at the cider press. He was dressed in tight-fitting buckskins and his shirtsleeves were already rolled up. He was laughing with them, her father slapping him on the back, and her heart gave a queer, wondrous flip at the sight of him amid the neighbours and people she’d known her entire life. He looked as if he belonged here, as if he were one of them.

He’s a city man. Be honest with yourself, Becca. Deep down inside, he’ll want his comforts. He wasn’t made for a place like this. He would tire of Haberstock eventually.

She pushed the reminder away. Her conscience meant well, but she didn’t want to hear it tonight, didn’t want to speculate on other things attached to those thoughts. If he tired of Haberstock, how long would it be before he tired of her? When would walks to Indigo Falls and spun sugar sunsets lose their ability to entrance him? When would stolen kisses beneath autumn leaves no longer inspire his passion? She didn’t want to find out. Best, then, to end on a high note, to make tonight the culmination of their friendship. She would make it clear to him that he needn’t feel obligated to continue it outside a business partnership. What happened in Haberstock remained in Haberstock.

Jules looked up as she approached, his face breaking into a grin. ‘Haberstock has a talent for cider.’ He passed her a tin cup. ‘I’ve been telling the gentlemen how they should be selling this abroad in the cities, Manchester, London, York, instead of keeping it to yourselves.’ His face got a thoughtful look as he reflected on that. ‘On second thought, if you did keep it to yourselves, it would be a good draw for tourists, bring them up from London. Seventeen miles by train is nothing these days. Day trippers could come up for the autumn harvest and indulge their fantasies for country living. You could probably even have them pay for the privilege of running the press for you.’

‘Once your brain starts moving it never stops, does it?’ Becca laughed. ‘Maybe we won’t need people to run a press. Perhaps I can automate it.’

‘Where’s the fun in that?’ Jules set aside his cup and grabbed her hand. ‘Come dance with me, I’ve been waiting all night to dance with you.’

‘Just all night?’ she teased.

I’ve been waiting all my life for a night like this, a night where I felt like I fit

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.