Gallant Waif by Anne Gracie (best ereader manga .TXT) 📕

“A lady would never have been in the kitchen in the first place!”

“Oh, so I’m a lady now, am I? Pity you didn’t think of it earlier.”

“My grandmother told me about you.”

“And you’re prepared to take your grandmother’s word on it, are you?” she said dryly.

“Are you calling my grandmother a liar?” he said in the soft tone that would have been a warning to anyone who knew him well.

“She’s undoubtedly a kidnapper, so why not a liar?”

It was a complete facer, Jack had to admit it. His grandmother had confessed to kidnapping Kate without a shred of self-consciousness or guilt. He called down a silent curse on all women, particularly those currently under his roof.

“We will not discuss my grandmother,” he said with dignity. “The fact remains that it was your behaviour which led me to assume you were a kitchen maid and treat you as such.”

“Oh, so it’s perfectly respectable to insult honest kitchen maids, is it? Pray forgive me for not under-standing the finer points of a gentleman’s code of conduct!”

Jack’s hands clenched in frustration. “Of course it isn’t, you little shrew! How in hel— Hades was I to know you understood Spanish?”

“Oh, so that makes it my fault too, does it?” Kate had been unsuccessfully trying to twist her hair back into its usual simple style; she tugged at the knot in frustration, bringing the rest of her hair tumbling over her shoulder.

“Then perhaps I’d better warn you that I also speak Portuguese, French, Latin and Greek, in case you ever find yourself wishing to insult me in those languages!”

“I didn’t mean that and well you know it!” snapped Jack, his gaze following the glossy tumbled curls. Her hair smelled of that faint fresh fragrance that so eluded him, but her comment had put him in mind of another grievance. “And how did you learn to speak those languages in the first place?”

“I told you!” said Kate.

“You told me some faradiddle about working for some eccentric old gentleman—”

“My father!” snapped Kate. “And it was no faradiddle! Everything I told you was true.”

“Including the nonsense about being a poor little kitchen maid?” He leaned forward over the table.

“Well, no,” she admitted, “I was my father’s housekeeper. I never told you I was a kitchen maid—you jumped to that conclusion. I merely did not contradict your assumption.” A gleam of pure mischief shone in the green-grey eyes. “Besides, it was quite entertaining. I simply couldn’t resist.”

He suddenly lunged forward across the table and caught her hand before she knew what he was doing. She struggled to snatch it back but his grip was firm. He turned her hand over and examined it, gently rubbing a red mark caused by the scrubbing brush.

Kate, embarrassed, tried again to pull her hand away. “I know I don’t have a lady’s hands. I never have. In fact, as I told your grandmother, I doubt very much I can even be called a lady. What I allowed you to believe wasn’t so far from the truth. Soon I will indeed be the maid you took me for.”

His grip on her hand tightened. “Nonsense!”

“It is not nonsense,” she said quietly. “Now, if you would please release my hand—again.”

He dropped it as if it were a hot coal. “So, what do you intend to do?”

“Finish washing the floor,” said Kate, ignoring his real meaning.

“For the last time, girl, you will not scrub that floor!” He thumped a clenched fist onto the table.

Kate shrugged. “I refuse to cook in a pigsty.”

“You’re not going to do any cooking at all! Good God, woman, don’t you ever do what you’re told?” said the harassed erstwhile Major of the Coldstream Guards, running a hand through his unruly dark locks.

“Not when I’m told such foolish nonsense,” she answered composedly.

Calm grey-green eyes met fiery blue ones.

“Tell me, Mr Carstairs, who is to make luncheon for your grandmother if I do not?”

Jack’s mouth opened, then closed. Kate’s eyes twinkled.

“Exactly. Stale bread and cold meat will not do for her ladyship. On the other hand, neither my father nor my brothers ever had any cause to complain about my culinary skills, therefore I will prepare luncheon for your grandmother and, of course, the rest of the household. But I will not cook in such dirty surroundings, and so…” She bent gracefully to pick up the dish of water and the scrubbing brush.

“You will not scrub that floor! Carlos will do it. It’s bad enough that I must accept your offer to prepare luncheon for my grandmother, but I won’t allow you to sully your hands any more with such menial and degrading tasks! Don’t argue with me, girl!” he growled, seeing her mouth open.

“I’ll see to it at once!” He stormed to the door, which opened on to the courtyard. “Carlos!” he bellowed. There was no answer, so with a muttered oath Jack stepped outside, preparing to search for his servant. Then he halted, remembering something. He stood for a moment, seemingly a little embarrassed.

“My. . . er… grandmother is… er… in need of some hot water… Could you please. . .er…would you mind setting some on to heat?”

“Of course,” said Kate. He closed the door behind him. Kate turned to fetch the water. She jumped as the door crashed open again.

“And don’t even think of carrying it up to her, you hear me?” he roared at her.

Kate stared at him in surprise.

“I’ll take it up. It’s too heavy for you,” he mumbled, and left again.

“I cannot stay here in these primitive conditions,” Lady Cahill announced.

Jack repressed a jubilant grin. He’d hoped to be rid of her and it seemed that his prayers were about to be answered. “I did warn you, Grandmama, that this house is not fit for guests.”

“No need to sound proud of it, boy,” she snapped. “I have directed Smithers to get my things ready. I will stay a sennight or so at Alderby, before returning home.”

“Well, if you wish to reach Alderby