Tracie Peterson by Bridal Blessings Page A

suddenly quite enjoyable to be a bit more barbaric herself. Almost guilty for her thoughts, Amelia’s head snapped up and she searched the room for Logan. She knew he wouldn’t be there, but for some reason her conscience forced her to prove it.
    “So how will you get about the place?” the earl was suddenly asking and all eyes turned to Amelia.
    “I beg your pardon, Papa?”
    “How will you travel about to gather your flowers and such? Will you have a guide?”
    Amelia felt the ham stick in her throat as she tried to swallow. She took a long drink of her tea before replying. “Mr. Reed has offered to act as guide, but I told him it wasn’t necessary.”
    “Nonsense,” her father answered. “If you are to undertake this project, do it in a correct manner. There is a great deal to know about this area and you should have a guide, what?”
    “I suppose you are fair in assuming that,” Amelia replied. “But I hardly think Mr. Reed would be an appropriate teacher on flowers.”
    Mary Lewis had entered the room to deposit two large pies on the table. “Logan’s an excellent teacher,” she said, unmindful of her eavesdropping. “Logan led an expedition of government people out here last summer. He’s got a good education—a sight more than most of the folks around these parts, anyway.”
    Everyone stared at Mary for a moment as though stunned by her boldness. “It seems reasonable,” the earl said, nodding to Mary as if to dismiss her, “that Mr. Reed should direct you in your studies. I’ll speak to him this afternoon and make certain he is reasonably recompensed for his efforts. Perhaps this evening at dinner we can finalize the arrangements.
    Amelia said nothing. In truth, she had already decided to speak to Logan about helping her. She knew herself to be a prideful woman and what had once seemed like an admirable quality now made her feel even more of a snob. Lady Bird had lowered herself to even help harvest the crops of local residents. How could she resist the help of Logan Reed and possibly hope to justify herself? But just as her feelings were starting to mellow toward the man, he ruined it by joining them.
    “Looks like you did pretty good for yourself, Amhurst,” Logan said, taking a seat at the table.
    Mary Lewis entered, bringing him a huge platter of food. “I saved this for you, Logan.”
    “Much thanks, Mary.” He bowed his head for a moment before digging into the steaming food.
    Everyone at the table looked on in silent accusation at Logan Reed. Even Mattersley would not presume to take his meals at the same table with the more noble classes. Logan Reed seemed to have no inclination that he was doing anything out of line, but when he glanced up he immediately caught the meaning of their silence. Rather than give in to their misplaced sense of propriety, however, Logan just smiled and complimented Mary on the food as she poured him a hot cup of coffee.
    “Will Jonas be taking you out again tomorrow?” Logan asked as if nothing was amiss.
    Amelia saw her father exchange a glance with Lord Gambett before answering. “Yes, I suppose he will. I understand you have offered to assist my daughter in gathering information for her book. I would like to discuss the terms of your employment after we finish with the meal.”
    Logan shook his head. “I didn’t offer to be employed. I suggested to Lady Amhurst that I act as a hiking guide and she refused.” He looked hard at Amelia, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes and his mustached twitched in its usual betraying fashion.
    “It seemed improper to accept your suggestion,” Amelia said rather stiffly.
    “Nonsense, child. The man is fully qualified to assist you,” Lord Amhurst stated. “I’ll make all the arrangements after dinner.”
    Amelia felt Logan’s eyes on her and blushed from head to toe. The discomfort she felt was nothing compared to what she knew would come if she didn’t leave immediately. Surprising her family,