Read Online Summer Siege by Samantha Holt - Free Book Online Page B

wasn’t sure.
    Unable to confront
such emotion, she sighed. “I am weary. Let us return home.”
    Tristan watched her
with concern but said no more, frustrated by her denial of his feelings and
mostly her denial of him.
    ***
    The next sennight
was taken up with rediscovering her township and coming to understand her
duties. Her father had devoted little time to instructing her in the ways of a
noble lady and thus she was little prepared for the tasks that befell her.
While most young girls would be preparing for an advantageous marriage and
readying themselves for running a busy household, Madeline had either been
cosseted away or blindly ignored, depending upon the whim of her father. 
    Tristan proved to
be a knowledgeable and patient teacher, guiding her through each task - from
the accounts to dealing with neighbourly disputes. It became obvious to
Madeline that he thrived in such a role and Ashford would most fortunate when
he took over his father’s role. Certainly, Woodchurch had not suffered for his
presence.
    As he led her
around the fief on horseback, the villagers greeted her pleasantly and she
wondered when she would truly feel at home. Over the previous days she had
gradually become accustomed to being in Tristan’s company. Not that she was
exactly relaxed around him, for he still created a humming tension within her,
but they had a pleasant routine and she drew comfort from the constancy.
    Reining his
destrier to a stop, Tristan waited for Madeline to draw up beside him as he
motioned to the fallow fields, currently being ploughed. Hay making and sheep
shearing had just begun and the small village was bustling with activity. Aware
the industriousness of the settlement was all Tristan’s doing, she determined
that she would ensure to thank him for his work.
    Madeline smiled to herself
as he animatedly explained the work done, and she could not help but admire his
commitment. Oh yes, he would make a fine lord.
    A slight pain
struck her heart as she recalled the dream of a different life - a dream in
which she would have been his lady.
    Trailing off as he
noticed her sudden melancholy, Madeline questioned how it was that he was so
attuned to her feelings. Particularly when she considered herself so practiced
in the art of concealing them.
    “Madeline, what
troubles you?”
    His concern almost
undid her and she fought the temptation to tell him all, to unload all her
fears and doubts upon him. But she maintained her silence, knowing little could
come of such revelations and unwilling to burden him with her foolish troubles.
    Instead she smiled
reassuringly, “Oh, naught. ‘ Tis a warm day, it not?”
    He accepted the
diversion, likely knowing her words were just that. He was too astute not to.
    “Are you too hot? I
would seek you some shade if you wish.”
    “Nay, I am well
enough. Pray let’s continue.”
    Tristan considered
her for a moment, before giving a brisk nod. “As you will.” He motioned to a field nearby. “Many fields were left fallow by your father.”
    She stiffened
slightly at the mention of him. “Aye…it seems I was not the only one to suffer
neglect by my father’s hand. Will the harvest see us through the winter?”
    “I know not. We
have had to work hard to make up for your father’s negligence, but I think that
if we are careful it should see us through. At least the fields can be fully
planted through the next two summers, for there will be no need to leave them
fallow for the next crops.”
    Madeline observed
as the villagers tended the hay, turning it so that it would dry. “You have
done much for Woodchurch. I find I have great deal to thank you for.”
    “Pray I do not
expect your thanks, Madeline. ‘ Tis my duty. My father has no wish to see the villeins starve
any more than I do.”
    “Still
‘tis more than most would do.”
    He shook his head
and ignored her as she rolled her eyes at his modesty. “I’ve also introduced
bees to Woodchurch,” he revealed with