The Country Wife by Temple Hogan

Author:Temple Hogan [Hogan, Temple]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Historical Romance
Publisher: Resplendence Publishing, LLC
Published: 2013-09-02T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

“Don’t fret, lass, they’re of a like mind, the whole lot of ‘em,” the woman at the next cart called out.

“Who?” Lilli asked caught off-guard.

“Why, men, lass. Have you not been wed long enough to learn their ways, yet?” She was a plump, cheery sort with two little ones running about her skirts while she quickly set up her wares of woven cloth and brown eggs. “My name’s Addie and these are my two littlest ones, Patty and Wynn.”

“I’m Lilli, but I’m not—”

“Aye, you’re a new wife. ‘Twill take you time to figure them out, but you will then you can set the tone of what you want in your marriage. Remember, lass, a man may think he’s the head of the household, but ‘tis the clever woman who lets him believe it.” She spied Rose and leaned over to coo at the baby. “Ooh, you’ve a bonnie, wee bairn. You wasted no time. They’re a wonder, they are.”

The woman spoke so rapidly jumping from one topic to another that Lilli gave up trying to follow or even respond. Taking out a clean white cloth, she spread it over the back of the cart and displayed her cheese and milk.

For the next hour, she was busy and her store of cheese quickly sold. As she poured out the last of the milk into a waiting pail, the sound of approaching horsemen brought a shiver of alarm. Absently taking the coin, she added it to those already jingling in the bottom of her pocket and watched the riders approach. They ogled her as they rode past. The farmers ducked their heads and busied themselves with their carts and wares. An ominous air had settled over the assembly. The riders dismounted and swaggered along the row of carts, stopping now and then to sample the goods, uninvited. Their leader remained astride his horse, laughing at the antics of his band. No one uttered a word of objection, but their jaws set with resentment.

“‘Tis Owen Waite and his riff-raff,” Addie said and hurried to her own cart to push her unsold goods into baskets.

Lilli gazed at the mounted leader with growing dread. He meant nothing but trouble for her. Grateful she’d sold all her milk and cheese, she quickly hid the potatoes and the half dozen eggs she’d traded for. She’d just carefully packed the eggs in hay and bent to pick up Rose when she heard a sneering voice.

“So, Lilli Hardy, this is why you were sent away,” the man said. “Your father tried to hide your shame.”

Lilli risked a glance over one shoulder then ducked her head, trying to avoid the outraged gaze of the burly man.

“Here now, you’re not Lilli Hardy!” His broad face turned red and ugly.

“Aye, I am,” she declared while casting an anxious gaze toward the pastures. There was no sign of Callum. She’d not seen him since he’d stalked away when they’d first arrived. Perhaps he’d left after her ungracious remark. Her heart sank. That meant she was on her own facing this bully.

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