Scoundrel With A Noble Heart (sequel of Disgraceful)

Chapter 10

"How rude!"
Arabella sat up straight and glared at the peasant man, but before she could make a suitable reprimand, Matthew had already shushed her, urging her out of the vehicle. Sending them a black look, the farmer walked off and climbed back to his seat. Before he could spur the horses on, Arabella hurried across to stand in front of the cart.
"Wait, you can't leave us out here. We're in the middle of nowhere!"

In a flash, Matthew stepped over the scene and pushed Arabella to the side.
"Please let us come with you, Sir. I will work in exchange for the ride."

The farmer regarded him with a doubtful look, but he seemed to consider the idea.

"Please, Sir. I'm a good worker, I believe I can be of help."

"I'm getting loads of timber in the next town. Do you think you can handle that?"

"Sure. I can do anything, Sir. You can count on me."

"All right, chap. I'll take your word for it. Now hop on."

A couple of hours later, in the frontyard of a cabin, Matthew heaped the rough-sawn planks in the back of the cart while Arabella stood watching with a displeased frown.
"Now the cart is packed with all this stuff, where are we going to sit?"

"We can sit on them, I guess."
He carried on piling the planks without pausing to look at her.

On the porch of a cabin several yards away, the farmer lounged on a bench with a cup of ale, watching his new helper loading up the cart. Emptying half of the cup at one gulp, he put one stretched leg up on the table and called out to Arabella.
"Hey you, lass. Come here and give my foot a nice rub."

Turning her head toward the man, Arabella threw him a contemptuous glare.
"When hell freezes over, old man."

Sitting up straight, the farmer banged his cup down on the table. The cheap liquor slopped over the rim onto the worn surface.
"Tell you what, useless chit! I won't have a freeloader, no! Not even a pretty one!"

Again Matthew had to break into the scene.
"Forgive my sister, Sir. She is a spoiled brat, but I promise she could be of help."

The farmer snorted.
"I don't see how she could be of any use. She can't lift heavy loads, she won't rub my feet. She is a good-for-nothing!"

In desperate search of an acceptable solution to the problem, Matthew swept his gaze around, and his sight fell upon the horses tethered on the fence. He turned to the vexed farmer with a wide smile.
"It seems your little fellows could use a bath."

*****

"What a brilliant idea."
Arabella sneered as she brushed the dirt off on the horse's side.

"You're welcome."
Matthew placed the last plank on top of the piles and jumped out of the cart, wiping his sweaty face on his sleeve. With light, quick steps, he crossed over to help her bathe the horse.

"Careful, you don't want to upset him." Matthew pushed her hand aside when Arabella reached over to wash the horse's face.

"Most horses are sensitive about having their face washed, so you have to be very gentle. Don't use the brush." He took a rag cloth and dipped it into the bucket, squeezing the excess water before gently wiping the horse's face.

When he shifted his gaze to her several moments later, he noticed that she had soapsuds in her nose. Without thinking, he reached out to wipe it off, and stopped short as their gazes locked. Again, he was captured in the bottomless depth of those beautiful eyes.

He started back when suddenly she smeared the suds across his stunned face. Taken by surprise, he stepped back a pace.
"Hey! What's that for?"

"Spoiled brat, ha?"
She scoffed, stepping threateningly toward him with a mass of lather in her hand.
"You're wrong if you think I'm going to let it go."