Free The Earl's Christmas Delivery by Susan Gee Heino Page A

as Carole felt.
     

Chapter 6
    The foal stood on spindly legs, wobbling perilously as his tiny hooves sought purchase on the straw-covered floor, but he kept himself upright. The mare nuzzled and nudged him. She seemed very nearly as proud of her efforts as Myserleigh was of his.
    By God, he'd helped birth a horse! And he'd done a fine job of it, if he did say so himself. Miss Meriwether could relax, could breath once again knowing her pony was safe and that he, someone who usually had servants to tend to all the difficult and unpleasant tasks of life, had a hand in making this beautiful tableau.
    He could only hope his generous efforts with the pony might help to make up for his deplorable behavior prior to the birth.
    By God, he had kissed the girl like a man who had every right to do such a thing. He did not, of course. If not for the interruption of the shepherd and the impending birth, he could only imagine what further liberties he might have allowed himself to take with Miss Meriwether. In her cold, exhausted state it had been most unfair of him to press his advantage.
    He liked to think, of course, that she had welcomed his advance, but from the way she had avoided eye contact and spoke only when necessary to him, he could be sure she did not. Why would she, after all? He'd done very little all day to give her reason to look favorably upon him. To drag her into an uninvited kiss when her resources were spen t and her nerves were beyond frayed... well, he knew there were words to describe men who treated women that way.
    None of them were complimentary.
    What could he do to make things right? He doubted there was anything. He may have entertained doubts about Miss Meriwether's character when he first found her this morning, but after a full day in her presence he could do nothing but credit her entirely respectable. Clearly she'd endured some difficult times, but she was fully a lady, nonetheless. She deserved to be treated that way but instead he'd treated her shabbily. He could not blame her one bit if she refused to forgive him.
    He'd best simply remove himself from her life as expeditiously as possible . Once his brief Christmas visit with Estelle's family was over he'd be headed back to London and his bachelor quarters there. Miss Meriwether would be happy to see him go. She would go on with her life in Estelle's household and probably not ever think of him again. Surely he'd not think of her. Occasionally, perhaps, but not often.
    The shepherds had helped tidy up the stall and then gone back to their sheep. It was well into the wee hours and their one lone lantern flickered in the drafty stable, casting crooked shadows that quivered and trembled against the stall walls. Myserleigh tried not to think about how chilled the dusty air was, or how warm Miss Meriwether had felt in his arms. It was foolishness to let his mind wander in that direction. Miss Meriwether was taking extra care to keep plenty of distance between them.
    It was not a large stall, however, so even though she tried to busy herself at the other side of it, talking sof tly to the pony and stroking its velvet, gray head, she was still only feet away. She might not be looking at him, but the earl could certainly look at her. Recalling the feel of her soft curves when he had pulled her up close against himself gave him a new appreciation for her muddied, rumpled clothing and the rough, shapeless blanket she had pulled over her shoulders.
    "The foal seems to be healthy enough," she said.
    He knew it was more from an effort to convince herself than to actually engage him in conversation, but he was happy to hear her voice. He would take care to keep his reply civil and perfectly respectful.
    "He's a beautiful colt. Estelle's children will be beyond thrilled."
    "Do you suppose it will be safe to transport them tomorrow? Perhaps I should remain here with them while you go on to the Bexley's."
    So she was eager to be rid of him, was she? It shouldn't