Page 29 of Gallant Waif
She glared at his handsome profile, in two minds about his bossiness. He had no business interfering with her work. On the other hand, he kept saving her from chores she hated. It was very confusing. Papa and the boys never minded what she did. Jack Carstairs was almost a stranger, and yet he was oddly…she could only call it protective.
That reminded her. “Er…Mr Carstairs,” she said diffidently.
“What the devil do you want now?”
“I…I want to thank you.”
Jack’s head whipped around in amazement.
“Yesterday I found Carlos in my room.”
Jack’s brows snapped together.
“He said it was on your orders.”
Suddenly Jack knew what she was going to say. “Oh, that,” he mumbled gruffly, and turned to go.
Her hand on his arm stopped him. “He was there to clean away all the cobwebs and kill any spiders. And I believe you told him to do the same with all the other rooms. It was a very kind and thoughtful gesture and it would be remiss of me not to thank you, and I do so, very much.”
Jack felt a rush of warmth as he looked down at the sweet face. He gazed into the clear eyes and felt the soft pressure of her hand on his arm. He could smell that faint elusive scent she had, unlike any lady’s perfume he knew of, but oddly familiar, nevertheless.
“Whatisthe name of that perfume you wear?” he asked abruptly.
Kate dropped his arm and stepped back a little. Jack was annoyed to see a faint trace of wariness in her eyes.
“I wear no perfume. I cannot afford it.”
“But I can smell it whenever I stand close to you, some faint fragrance.”
Kate blushed slightly. “It’s only rosemary.”
“Who?”
“The fragrance you have noticed. It is rosemary, a herb. I make a rinse of it for my hair, and put sprigs of it in my clothes to keep them fresh. It grows plentifully and is free and I am very fond of its scent. Obviously I am too lavish with it,” she said defensively. Definitely too lavish, she thought, if he could talk to her about the way she smelled.
He stared at her thoughtfully. “No, not too lavish. It’s very nice.”
“Carlos. That farm you visit,” said Jack later that afternoon.
“Farm?” said Carlos cautiously.
“The one you visit so frequently. The one with all the daughters,” said Jack impatiently. “I want you to go there at once.”
“Sí, Major Jack.” Carlos brightened visibly.
“Bring back a couple of girls.”
Carlos goggled at his employer.
“Wipe that ridiculous look from your face, you fool! I want those girls to come here to work.”
Carlos hesitated. “To scrub, you mean, sir?”
“Yes, and whatever else needs doing. Miss Farleigh cannot do all the work that she seems to think necessary.”
A grin split the dark face. “Sí, Major Jack! I will fetch them at once!” Carlos moved with alacrity.
“And, Carlos—” His master’s voice halted him. “There will be no fraternising with the wenches while they are employed here, understand?”
