Free Tenacious Trents 02 - A Perfect Gentleman by Jane Charles Page B

the side of the cow. What am
I going to do ?
    Methodically she went from one cow to the
other, filling pails and leaving them by the entrance for delivery
later this morning.
    “I knew you would probably be up and about
already.”
    Grace straightened and looked toward the
door. Audrey Montgomery stood at the entrance; the morning sun
glimmered off of her golden hair. A smile pulled at Grace’s lips to
see her friend. “Does your mother know you are here?”
    “Heavens, no.” Audrey dismissed with a wave
of her hand. “I doubt mother is even awake yet.” She walked toward
the stall and hopped up on a table not far from Grace.
    Grace admired her dark blue riding habit with
the perky, matching velvet hat. Not even a hair was out of place
and Grace knew her friend had ridden from the other side of the
village. Chances were she was unescorted as well, which meant the
visit would be a short one. Mrs. Montgomery insisted her daughter
behave the lady at all times, which meant Audrey should remain abed
until at least eleven and when she did take her chestnut out, a
groom should accompany her. “How was London?”
    Audrey shrugged. “Not as I had hoped.”
    “Well, the little Season was almost over
before you arrived.” Grace reminded her.
    “There were still a number of people there.”
She sighed and toyed with the rope beside her. “I had a chance to
go to balls, soirees, and picnics.”
    “It sounds wonderful. What was a
disappointment?” Grace glanced down at the full pail of milk. She
patted the cow on the side, grabbed another bucket and moved to
another cow.
    “I much prefer the people here than those in
London.”
    Grace lifted her eyebrows. “Don’t let your
mother hear you say that. She has high hopes on you marrying a lord
of some kind.”
    “I know.” Audrey groaned. “My aunt introduced
me to several bachelors but I cannot imagine falling in love with
any of them.”
    “What did your mother say?” Grace was almost
afraid of what the response would be and suspected she already
knew.
    Audrey pursed her mouth, her mother’s usual
expression and started wagging her finger at Audrey. “Love has
nothing to do with marriage. Once you get that silly notion out of
your head you will be able to find the perfect earl, marquess or
duke.”
    Grace laughed. “I am so sorry. At least you
don’t have to return until March.”
    “Even that will be too soon.” Audrey
grumbled.
    “Well, your mother expects you to marry
within the year. It is her plan after all.”
    “And there are few choices around here.”
Audrey sighed but perked up a moment later. “What of the new
vicar?”
    Grace’s throat tightened. Why should she care
if Audrey was interested in Vicar Trent? She wouldn’t be surprised
if he became smitten the moment the two met and it did not set well
with her. Since they were fourteen, boys, and then men when they
grew older, had been attracted to Audrey with her golden curls,
creamy complexion and soft brown eyes. Why should Vicar Trent be
any different?
    Grace must have pulled too hard for the cow
lowed an objection and stepped to the side. Grace patted its back
and apologized before she went back to milking with a more gentle
touch. “You saw him on Sunday, didn’t you? What did you think?”
    A blush stained Audrey’s cheeks. “I didn’t go
to church. For two days mama went on and on about how I must
impress the man and by the time Sunday arrived, my head pounded
from the pressure. I stayed in bed all day.”
    Grace chuckled. “He is a nice man, though I
am sure his opinion of me is not the highest.”
    Audrey leaned forward, her eyes bright with
excitement. “Tell me. What did you do?”
    “It is really not all that much, just poor
first impressions,” she answered before telling her about the
instances when she had encountered Vicar Trent. “But, he is patient
with Papa and is going to help him when we go before the
magistrate.”
    “Magistrate?” Audrey jumped down and