‘Move up nearer Rosa’s neck, and I’ll get in the saddle behind you. It’s downhill for her now, and she won’t mind taking us both the last mile. I must admit, the pain is beginning to tell slightly.’ Adam led Rosa, with Lucy still astride her, to some mounting steps next to a working worsted mill. The noise of the weaving machines from within the tall four-storey mill was deafening, as Adam made his way up the steps and eased himself snuggly into the saddle behind Lucy.
Lucy breathed in and felt her heart flutter, as Adam placed his arms around her to take the reins. She could feel his breath on the back of her neck, and could smell the soap that he had used to wash and shave in that morning. It was a comforting smell, and a million miles away from the smell of the flay-pits men. His strong arms wrapped themselves around her, and she felt his knees squeeze the side of Rosa, to make her walk on.
‘We should be thankful we are not at work, like the poor buggers in that mill. Just look at the dust flying out of the windows. God knows what it would be like in there, working on those looms all day. There’s something to be said for being your own man,’ Adam said, trying to make Lucy feel more comfortable with being so close to him, as she sat rigidly in front of him.
Lucy looked up at the blue sky, at the mill windows that were open above them, and at the fluff flying up into the air like fairy wishes. She bent her head backwards and nearly put her head on Adam’s shoulder in doing so. She’d never been so close to a man before, and she quickly sat forward after looking into his deep-brown eyes and seeing mischief in them, at the thought of her being so familiar with her master.
‘I don’t bite, you know,’ Adam said as she quickly apologized. ‘Don’t worry, we will soon be in Keighley and then the journey back will be more acceptable to you. Perhaps you’d have been happier staying at home?’
‘Oh no, I’m enjoying my day away. I just didn’t want you to think I was flirting. After all, you did lecture me about it the other day,’ Lucy said quickly.
‘I think you know better than to flirt with me, Lucy, so don’t you worry about that,’ Adam whispered in her ear. It had been a long time since he’d been so close to a woman himself, and he’d forgotten how good it felt and secretly wished she would flirt with him.
Lucy smiled to herself and enjoyed the rest of the ride into Keighley. She knew she shouldn’t even think about flirting with Adam, but her feelings were beginning to get the better of her, when it came to the perfect gentleman seated next to her. Although she knew that Adam being a gentleman was something she should be grateful for, many gentlemen still took advantage of their maids, but Adam was different and had never looked and treated her in that way. All too soon, in Lucy’s eyes, the small horse took them onto the bustling streets of Keighley and Adam pulled on the reins to stop Rosa in her tracks at the head of Church Green. The tall tower of the parish church stood at one end of the street, while down its cobbled streets were various traders and shops, selling whatever goods were required.
Adam slid down off the horse and offered Lucy his arms to help her dismount. She looked down at him and put her hands on his shoulders, as he held her by her waist just for the briefest of seconds, before quickly gathering his senses and noticing her blush.
‘Right, to business! Here’s some money – there should be enough for you to buy whatever we need for the house. You’ll have a better idea than me, and I can be a bit staid in what I eat, so you buy something for a change that you think I’ll enjoy. There will not be a lot of money left, after you’ve done that and bought this list of staples that I wrote down, but what there is, you should keep for yourself. Treat yourself to one of those fancy cream cakes and a cup of tea.’ Adam nodded in the direction of the tea-room, where people were sipping their drink elegantly in the window, while the rest of the world walked by, impoverished. He passed her a list and some money for the things that were needed.
‘That’s a bit too posh for me. They’d not look the side I’m on, if I walked in there, but thank you, sir,’ Lucy said and looked up into his face, then put the money and list in her pocket.
‘They bloody well should, because you are just as good as any of them, as far as I can tell.’ Adam looked awkward. ‘Well, I’m off to the stables and carter’s first and then I’m walking down Russell Street – it’s where the sheep fair is held. You’ll find me there within an hour’s time. Do you want to meet me there, and then we will collect the goods for home on our return journey in the new donkey-cart?’
‘Yes, I can do that. I’ll find you, won’t I? I don’t like to think that I’ll be left in Keighley on my own,’ Lucy shouted, and stood for a second watching Adam as he set off down the cobbled street.
‘Yes, I’ll be there. I’ll not go anywhere without you,’ Adam shouted back and then went on his way, leading Rosa to the carter’s, before quickly paying another visit – hopefully his last – to the pharmacist. The pain in his leg was healing, along with the hurt in his heart. Perhaps it was because he was home and content, or perhaps it was because he’d found somebody he was growing quite fond
