Free The Country Wife by Temple Hogan Page A

objection, but their jaws set with resentment.
    “‘Tis Owen Waite and his riff-raff,” Addie said and hurried to her own cart to push her unsold goods into baskets.
    Lilli gazed at the mounted leader with growing dread. He meant nothing but trouble for her. Grateful she’d sold all her milk and cheese, she quickly hid the potatoes and the half dozen eggs she’d traded for. She’d just carefully packed the eggs in hay and bent to pick up Rose when she heard a sneering voice.
    “So, Lilli Hardy, this is why you were sent away,” the man said. “Your father tried to hide your shame.”
    Lilli risked a glance over one shoulder then ducked her head, trying to avoid the outraged gaze of the burly man.
    “Here now, you’re not Lilli Hardy!” His broad face turned red and ugly.
    “Aye, I am,” she declared while casting an anxious gaze toward the pastures. There was no sign of Callum. She’d not seen him since he’d stalked away when they’d first arrived. Perhaps he’d left after her ungracious remark. Her heart sank. That meant she was on her own facing this bully.
    “Go away. I have nothing to sell,” she said and settled Rose into the wagon. Instantly, the baby began to squall.
    “Tell me why you claim to be someone you ain’t?” Waite bellowed.
    “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about. Please pass on and leave me be.”
    “Pass on and leave you? Are you puttin’ on airs, now?” He leaned from his saddle to curl a strand of her hair around a stubby finger then around his fist until she was caught. He gave it a vicious twist, causing her to cry out. “I’ll go when you tell me your true name for you’re not Lilli Hardy.”
    “Aye, I am,” she said, trying to pull away but the movement brought pain searing along her scalp.
    “Nay, wench. Lilli Hardy was comely enough but not like you.” He ran a finger along her cheek, his eyes glinting with something ugly and dangerous. “Are you like the girl you claim to be? Do you tease and torment a man then cry innocent when he makes his move? Are you a relative pretending to be Lilli? If so, you don’t have Thom Hardy to protect you this time.”
    He fingered a scar along his cheek, and his glare turned murderous. “Thom gave me this, he did, and afterwards he sent off his daughter as if I was the devil himself, like I wasn’t good enough for her.”
    Lilli wished for the unknown Thom Hardy’s strong arm now. The unpleasant glare in Owen Waite’s eyes showed he still bore a grudge. Lilli remembered the serving girl’s words upon hearing of her father’s death and repeated them now in the hopes of diverting Waite from her true identity.
    “Aye, Thom Hardy’s not here now as well you know since you cowardly ambushed him in the woods with all your companions to back you up.”
    For a moment, her words caught him unprepared. His face flushed, and he struggled for something to say then he recovered and glanced around to see who might have heard her. His men had gathered around him, which seemed to embolden him.
    “You can’t prove it.” He smirked. “I have an alibi for the time Hardy was killed.” He looked over his shoulder at the motley crew of men who sniggered in return. Encouraged by their presence, Waite guided his mount closer so she was neatly trapped between the cart and a tree.
    “Doesn’t matter to me that you’re not who you claim to be,” he said with a sly twist to his voice. “You’re bonnie enough for me.”
    “I have no need of a man like you.” She took off her curtch and flapped it in his mount’s face causing it to rear and back away.
    Waite was nearly unseated and grabbled for the reins. The guffaws among his friends were quickly smothered at his scowling glance.
    “You bitch,” he shouted at her. “Slut!”
    “Leave me alone, or I’ll—”
    “You’ll what?” he sneered and leaped out of his saddle, sullen intent evident in his glare.
    She understood readily enough why he’d stayed mounted when his