‘Alright, if you wish, but I’d have done that for you.’ Adam looked briefly at Lucy as she made her way out of the door.
‘I’ve never got round to telling you, Adam, but I’ll be returning tomorrow,’ Ivy said. ‘I’ll not be staying as long as I would have liked. I didn’t feel it right that I left my newly-wed husband on his own for too long, bless him. It was good of him to trust me to stay with a single man, and one with whom I have a lifetime’s friendship. Besides, I don’t want to outstay my welcome, now that we have caught up and I know that you are in safe hands.’
‘That’s disappointing. I was looking forward to you staying longer and to hearing more about the reformation that your husband has made in your life. You must love him dearly, from what I’ve heard about him and your new lifestyle. The next time you visit me, you must bring him with you. I’d like to meet the man who’s tamed you.’ Adam grinned.
‘You’ll meet him, as I expect us both to be asked on your wedding day.’ Ivy smiled back at Adam and leaned back in her chair.
‘Now you are expecting too much too soon. I’ve not even said that I’m going to make my feelings known to Lucy yet.’ Adam looked out of the window and saw Lucy bringing the cow into the shed to be milked, as he replied to Ivy.
‘Oh, you will, now that you’ve faced up to them.’ Ivy watched as Adam stood up from the table. ‘Go on, do it now – put the poor girl out of her misery and make your life complete.’
‘You have a lot to answer for, Ivy Thwaite. If you’ve read this wrong, then I’m about to make an absolute fool of myself, and the whole of the Worth valley will know about it.’ Adam looked back at Ivy as he opened the door and made his way to the cowshed, where Lucy was starting to milk the cow.
‘I’d have brought her in for you. You’ve enough on, looking after my guest. Ivy can be quite demanding, and she’s a devil for speaking her mind and poking her nose into other people’s business.’ Adam ran his hand along the back of the docile milk-cow and looked down at Lucy, as she sat on the milk stool, busy at work. He felt awkward and didn’t quite know how to approach her, concerning the way he felt. He looked at the cow munching happily away on the hay, which she had been given to keep her occupied while Lucy milked her dry.
‘Yes, she certainly doesn’t hold back in her thoughts.’ Lucy stood up, her bucket full of creamy, frothy fresh milk as she placed it to one side and wiped her hand across her brow, moving a piece of stray hair out of her eyes.
‘Is she right, when it comes to us two? Do you feel something more for me than just your master – do you have feelings for me? Because damn it, Lucy, I know I shouldn’t, but I’ve been finding you more and more attractive by the day. But until Ivy decided to interfere with our lives, I had resolved to say nothing.’ Adam looked down at the blonde-haired milkmaid, whom he now knew himself to be in love with.
Lucy stood silent for a moment and then decided to tell Adam the truth. ‘Yes, she’s right. I’ve tried not to show it, either. I know it to be wrong. My mother says I’ve to behave myself and look elsewhere, but I don’t want to. Every time you brush past me or look at me with those hazel eyes, I feel my heart miss a beat. I can’t help it. I’ll leave, if you want me to, because I know I’m not right for you.’ Lucy dropped her eyes from his gaze and felt tears beginning to well up in them.
‘You will do no such thing!’ Adam stepped forward and held her tightly in his arms. ‘I’ve wanted to do this for days now, but I didn’t realize you felt the same way.’ He looked down into Lucy’s eyes and tilted her chin up towards him, then kissed her tenderly and passionately.
Lucy closed her eyes and felt her heart about to burst. She couldn’t believe that Adam felt the same way as she did, as he kissed her again and again and whispered loving words to her. It didn’t matter that they were in the cowshed, and that Ivy was waiting for her host to return. The words she had only dreamed of hearing were being said to her. She’d never wanted a young lad who only boasted and flirted with every glance. This was the man she had wanted. Lucy ran her hands through his dark, thick hair and whispered back words of love. She would never let him go now, no matter what folk thought or said.
‘Milking a cow takes a bit longer than it used to.’ Ivy grinned. ‘And it takes two pairs of hands. I’d take that bit of hay out of your hair, Adam, else I might think you’ve been up to something you shouldn’t.’
Adam reached up for the piece of hay that was telling tales on him and Lucy, and shook his head at
