“Assistance? Have you been chopping more wood?” she exclaimed. “Need I remind you that you are also a guest.”
“Not a courting guest,” Caleb clarified.
Oh, if only he were…Lucinda didn’t allow herself to finish the thought. If he were interested in courting her, Mr. Copeland would have joined the other gentlemen. Instead, he avoided everyone.
She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. Was he simply being polite now? Did he not care for her and was that the reason he hadn’t joined them for meals?
“I’d like to thank you for ridding us of Lord E.”
“That, most assuredly was my pleasure.” He stopped and turned to her. “He did not harm you, did he?”
The intensity and concern in his green eyes nearly took her aback. “No, though he may have smarted when…he was injured in a manner that would make most men cry and ended up on the floor in the parlor.” Her face heated. She shouldn’t really speak of how she had attempted to maim her assailant.
“Good for you.” Mr. Copeland grinned. “My brothers and I have taught our sisters to do the same if found in a similar situation.”
At least he’d not frowned on her unfavorable response. “How many siblings do you have?”
“Five brothers and four sisters.”
“Goodness,” her eyes widened. “Your family is larger than mine. I’ve six brothers and three sisters.”
They stopped as the dairy maid rushed forward carrying buckets of milk. She paused and offered a quick curtsey to Lucinda then smiled at Mr. Copeland. “Thank you again, Mr. Copeland. I would still be milking if you hadn’t helped me.”
“It was my pleasure, Agnes. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Her eyes widened and she glanced to Lucinda. “I did not ask him, my lady. He just showed up in the dairy barn and started milking.”
“You’ve nothing to be worried about, Agnes. I, like you, appreciate the assistance Mr. Copeland has offered, given we are so short of staff.”
The dairymaid offered another quick curtsey then hurried to the door leading to the kitchens.
“First chopping wood, now milking cows,” Lucinda muttered.
“And I thank you for allowing me to take my pleasure where I will.” He grinned at her.
“I don’t believe I’ve ever considered milking cows pleasurable,” she teased.
“Then you must have never milked a cow.”
She hadn’t, but there was no reason why she shouldn’t.
* * *
Caleb was enjoyinghis visit to Forester Hall. While his great-aunts visited with Her Grace and chaperoned Lady Lucinda and her lords, he’d been free to chop wood, muck stalls, care for horses and milk cows, and for the first time since he’d come to England, he had a purpose.
“Lady Lucinda, you mustn’t be here!” Agnes cried.
“Why ever not?” she asked, her voice laced with a humor that Caleb had come to associate with the lady. It was as if she were always in good spirits, except when forced to endure the lords, that is.
“It’s a dairy,” Agnes exclaimed.
Lady Lucinda laughed. “I am well aware, and I’ve come to help milk the cows.”
Caleb grabbed a pail and stool. “I’d be happy to teach you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Copeland. I’d like that very much.”
“First Mr. Copeland, now Lady Lucinda, I’m going to be sacked for sure,” Agnes mumbled as she wandered to the next cow in need.
