Tempting Miss Allender (Regency Rakes 3) Read Online Free Page A

animals,” she added.
    Paul snuffled at that.
    “I’m glad I did not wear my good boots,” Charles muttered as he leapt nimbly over a pile of excrement.
    “It’s hard to believe you were raised in the country, brother,” Patience teased him as she looked around. She saw no familiar faces, and it was not likely she would. This was not a place to be ‘seen’ by those who frequented society. “At least here I am also unlikely to bump into him.”
    “Pardon, Patience?”
    “Nothing, Charlie,” Patience said, waving her hand in the air.
    She had thought about Lord Belmont last night as she lay in bed. Thought about how her body had once again betrayed her in his company. She had loved that man desperately once, the silly, foolish love of a girl who had not yet reached womanhood, and he had dashed that love during her first season by treating her with cool disregard. That had hurt, even knowing where his behavior stemmed from. Losing his brother had devastated him, and to enter society so soon after the mourning period had, to her mind, been unwise. He had done so anyway, and had broken her heart. Age had excused him in her eyes, and also strengthened her resolve to never allow her heart to rule her head again.
    “Shall I find something for you to stand on, Miss Allender?”
    “Not to worry, Paul. I shall get us to the front.” Patience tapped a man on the shoulder and ignored her brother’s groan.
    “Excuse me,” she said with a wide smile.
    As he turned, she pushed in front of him, dragging Charlie with her, and then again as she nudged two other men aside. Ignoring their disgruntled ripples of surprise that there was a women in their midst, Patience made her way forward until they were standing before the wooden pen. She could feel Paul making his presence known at her back, while Lenny would remain at the rear, watching for any dangers should they present themselves.
    “What’s the world coming to when a woman comes to see pigs?”
    “My sister has as much right to be here as you,” Charles said to the man who had spoken.
    “It’s all right, Charlie.” Patience patted his shoulder. “Look in the pen,” she said as she urged him forward.
    “Ohhhh,” he cried as he saw the five piglets that were all milling around the sow. Even he was not immune to such a display.
    Patience had two loves in her life, other than her siblings: farm animals and poetry. The first her family was well aware of, as she always looked after sick animals and had spent the majority of her days outside tending their stock when they were in the country. The second was her private passion.
    “Welcome to Advances in Animal Husbandry. My name is Squire Rawlinson.” A large, raw-boned man leapt nimbly onto the railing Patience was leaning against. “ Shortly I will be joined by a colleague who is at present achieving a great deal of success in this field.”
    “’Ere, Harry, you better watch your language. We have a lady present!”
    Patience squeezed Charlie’s shoulder to reassure him that she did not mind the comment. Why was her presence such a shock? Surely she should be allowed to listen like everyone else.
    “I assure you I am here to listen and observe like everyone else present, sir,” Patience said. “Pray do not let my presence deter you.”
    “T’aint right, is all I’m saying,” another voice said.
    “Don’t you fret, miss. It’s lovely to have a pretty face to look at when usually I have ugly ones,” the squire said, giving her a wink before he continued.
    Charlie played with the piglets and scratched the sow as she listened. Paul moved forward to stop him from tumbling over the wood and into the pen while Patience took it all in and then asked a few questions as Squire Rawlinson’s speech drew to a halt.
    “And now I will hand you over to a friend who will talk to you about his success in this field.”
    Patience stood on her toes to see who was approaching and then felt her stomach drop as Mathew