Read Online Another Country by Kate Hewitt - Free Book Online Page A

the
carriage.
    “No... no.” Despite her cumbersome skirts Caroline
managed to exit the carriage with both grace and speed. “My uncle
is a very busy man. It is better for me to see him alone.”
    Eleanor wasn’t sure how these two statements
related, but she could see plainly that Caroline was a mass of
nerves when it came to her guardian.
    A butler had emerged from the house, a long scar
running down one cheek, and had already directed someone from the
stables to take care of Caroline’s trunk.
    “Miss Reid,” he said politely. “Your uncle
awaits.”
    “Are you sure we should not go in?” Ian asked
dubiously. “Your uncle no doubt will want to know who brought you
here. He might think us all manner of ruffians.”
    Caroline laughed and pressed her hand to Ian’s.
“Surely not! Besides, I am determined to extend an invitation to
you when we are all settled properly. You must let me know your
address. My uncle will certainly want to thank you in person.”
    “Very well.” Ian took his leave of Caroline with
obvious reluctance, and Eleanor was forced to curb her own
impatience. She was dusty, tired, and hot, as well as eager to know
her own accommodations.
    Finally the carriage rumbled on. Ian gazed pensively
out the window at Caroline’s slight form retreating into the grand
house. “It seems a bit awkward, her uncle not even coming out to
greet her, don’t you think?”
    Eleanor shrugged. “She told me more than once what a
busy man he is, and he must be to have a house like that!”
    Ian pulled a face. “I’m afraid my own accommodations
are meager in comparison. Do you mind terribly, Eleanor? I’ve been
living in a set of rooms, but in expectation of your arrival I’ve
rented a small house in the South End. It’s respectable, but
nothing like this. If you wanted something more comfortable, you
could stay with Margaret and Henry. They’ve offered, and their
house is certainly far grander than mine.”
    Eleanor shook her head. “I’ve been the third wheel
in too many homes as it is. I want nothing more than to live in a
place I can at least halfheartedly call my own.”
    “You may certainly do that! I haven’t even employed
a housekeeper yet.”
    “Then don’t,” Eleanor said firmly. “I shall see to
all the mundane details you needn’t trouble yourself with.” She
liked the idea of taking over the housekeeping. She’d once dreamed
of her own home, filled with her own family.
    Now that John was dead, such a prospect seemed
unlikely. This would have to do for now, and as she leaned her head
against the carriage cushions, Eleanor decided it was more than
enough.
     
    The sun broke from behind the clouds and Harriet
lifted her face gratefully to the warmth. It was August, and the
wet days had finally given way to sunshine.
    The MacDougalls were gathering together at Mingarry
Farm to help bring in the wheat, an effort that included nearly
every member of the family, as well as some neighbors.
    George brought tin pails of water to the men as they
cut the wheat with sharp scythes, and Maggie helped Harriet and
Betty tie the stalks of grain into sheaves. Others had come to help
as well, and that evening when everything was safely packed in the
barn, there would be food and dancing in the swept barnyard.
    “It’s a good thing you’ve already got your crop in,”
Betty said as she and Harriet tied the bundles of grain together.
“What, with Rupert’s help.”
    “He’s been a wonderful boon to us.” Harriet smiled.
“Although the rain has made the wheat crop modest, at best.” Still,
she’d enjoyed the summer, with Rupert’s fun-loving company. A
letter had come for him from Henry Moore, his sister Margaret’s
husband, and Harriet had been burning with curiosity as to its
contents. Rupert was clearly planning something... but what?
    Stars studded the sky by the time the wheat was
finally in. Rupert and Allan had brought out long tables now laid
with sliced meats and summer’s pies, all