Belong To Me (book 4) (The Fielding Brothers Saga) by Marie Higgins Page B

dirt.
    Wheels from a buggy crunched on the gravel nearby and he snapped his head toward the sound to his unwelcome visitor. The sun glared in his eyes, but as the buggy grew closer, it blocked the sun’s brightness. When he focused on the intruder in the vehicle, he blinked, certain his eyes were deceiving him. A woman was driving the buggy?
    He rubbed the sweat away from his eyes, but when he focused again, there sat a vision in gold staring at him. He waited for her to scream at his deformity, to turn her horse and head back the way she came. But she didn’t. Brave woman.
    For the sake of propriety, he quickly spun around and grabbed his shirt to hide his naked chest. When he turned, she stopped the vehicle and smiled. It struck him funny to see such a reaction when he was used to women fainting when they first looked upon him. But the lady didn’t even flinch. Certainly out of the ordinary.
    “Good afternoon,” she spoke with a heartwarming voice.
    What were her true intentions?
    “I hope you don’t mind my intrusion,” she continued, “but I thought I’d be neighborly and come to make your acquaintance.”
    A grin tugged at his mouth, and he wanted to laugh. Neighborly? His nearest neighbors were miles away, and he knew she wasn’t one of them. “You live close by?” he asked, trying to hide the scratchiness in his voice.
    “Well, not really, I live inside the city, but my husband is an acquaintance of yours. That is the reason I decided to come.”
    He drew his brows together. Putting his weight on his good leg, he limped closer to the buggy and gazed up at her. “I know your husband?”
    “Yes. Mr. Ian Fielding.”
    “Indeed, I know your husband,” he mumbled in irritation.
    Her gaze wavered slightly and her hands gripped the reins. Quickly, he put the pleasantness back on his face before he caused her scream and faint dead away.
    “You don’t look too pleased,” she said.
    He shrugged and hobbled to his small pile of dirt, his awkward steps slowing him. “Perhaps it’s not your fault for your husband’s mistakes. It’s true I don’t care for the man, but,” he said glancing back at her, “I’ll try and be polite for your sake.”
    “Pray, what has my husband done to make you this way?”
    He laughed harshly. “What hasn’t he done?” He shook his head and held up his hand. “No, I won’t say more. I shan’t degrade the man in front of his wife when he’s not here to defend himself.”
    She fidgeted in her seat. “Would you mind very much if I introduce myself?”
    He smiled. “I wouldn’t mind at all.”
    She made a move to climb down from the buggy, so he limped over and assisted her. Hesitantly, she placed her hand in his gloved hand until she was on the ground, and then he stepped back. But still, she didn’t scream in horror. This brave woman interested him.
    “Thank you,” she said. “My name is Mrs. Charlotte Fielding.” She held out her hand in greeting.
    He took it, bowed slightly. “Adam Newton, the Earl of Thatcher at your service.”
    “It’s certainly a pleasure to finally meet you, Lord Thatcher. My husband speaks of you often.”
    He chuckled and shook his head. “I wonder if anyone has told your husband it’s not polite to speak ill of people behind their backs.”
    “Oh, no. He hasn’t spoken ill of you at all. In fact, he claims you as a friend.”
    Adam lifted his eyebrows. “Indeed? That’s strikes me as humorous because I don’t think I could do the same.”
    She lowered her gaze for a brief moment, wringing her hands against her stomach. “Well, will you claim me as your friend?”
    He laughed. “But alas, how can I? You are married to that scoundrel, Mr. Ian Fielding.”
    She cocked her head. “Tsk, tsk. You’re speaking badly of him again in front of his wife. I thought you said you weren’t going to do that.”
    He grinned. “I’m sorry. It’s so hard to keep the words from falling over my lips, but I’ll try harder.” He studied