“Your governess isn’t going to get in trouble, is she?”
She laughed. “My parents will not be home to find out, though they wouldn’t care even if they were. All that matters is that I came and was seen. I was, I made sure of that.”
“By the mayor’s son?”
“By the mayor. He’s who I truly need to please.”
I swallowed, trying to hide the jealousy bubbling up inside of me. Whoever she was, I’d already decided she belonged to me, and anyone who got in the way of that was a problem that needed to be fixed. Pronto.
The sexy smirk from the other day returned. “Are you jealous?”
“Would you think less of me if I said yes?” Our eyes locked. “Forgive me, I know we just met. However, it’d be foolish of me to deny an attraction to you. I’m sure any man whose eyes fall upon you will feel the same way. So yes, there is a bit of jealousy. However, I’m not a mayor’s son, so I’m sure my qualifications are not enough to woo you.”
She shrugged. “You have a cart, and the most amazing potatoes I’ve ever tasted. That’s plenty to make me happy.” She lowered her voice into a sultry tone. “In my opinion, you are far more qualified to make me happy than a man who spends his time flaunting that he has a lot of fancy pieces of paper. Because that’s all money is. Paper.”
How could I not fall for her? Every time she spoke, she blew my mind. I’ve always considered myself a sapiosexual oriented individual. Those who don’t know what that word means, probably would not be compatible romantically with me.
“What’s your name?” I asked in a whisper.
She whispered back, “Lucretia Delorne.”
“Lucretia,” I echoed. “My name is William Hermanson, and it is a pleasure to know you. Come, let me and my loyal steed return you to your humble abode.” I offered her my hand. She took it with a coy smile.
Together, we walked to my cart where my donkey, Hercules, patiently waited for me to finish loading up, so we could get out of there. He didn’t like the marketplace. I didn’t either. We were like peas in a pod, him and I. When Lucretia stroked the side of his neck before getting in the cart, he brayed happily. I hated when she let go of my hand. The cool from the absence of her touch just didn’t belong. I knew I had to always feel her warmth.
“A mile away,” I said, climbing into the seat next to her. I picked up the reigns and signaled Hercules to head out. “That’s not too far. You dress like you live in a mansion. I’m guessing you live on the hill.”
“You’d be correct.” She shifted as though she were nervous. “My family recently moved into Purchase Point.”
I whistled. “Wow, I didn’t know it was up for sale! That house has been owned by the Purchase’s since the beginning of time.”
“Pretty close to it,” she muttered. Her gaze moved to the side. She didn’t want to look at me.
“Something wrong?” I asked. Like I said, I was perceptive.
Lucretia pressed her lips together. “My name is Delorne, so I’m sure it’s clear that I am not a member of the Purchase family. Their reign over this town has ended.”
“Good.” The word flew out of my mouth without a thought. I should have been more cautious. The Purchase family might have moved out of the house, but that didn’t necessarily mean they were gone from the town. I thought about back peddling, then I decided I’d stick to my truth—for better or worse.
She giggled, so I couldn’t have screwed things up too terribly. “Not a fan, I see.”
“Hard to be. I tend to dislike anyone who treats those who work hard for their wealth poorly, though.” I smirked. “I might be a farmer, and a simple peddler of vegetables upon appearances. In truth, my family has more than enough to go around. We just don’t like to show it off.”
“Because it’s just paper.”
I smiled. “Paper that we put into fixing the schools and the streets. The fact that this road isn’t quite as bumpy as some of the others is thanks to yours truly.”
“Now you’re bragging,” she teased. She moved a tiny bit closer to me. “Perhaps I should be working on wooing you instead of the mayor’s brat.”
It took everything within me to not burst out laughing. “You sound like my grandma.”
“Grandmothers are wise.”
“Keep talking like that, and I might just offer up a marriage proposal to your father as soon as I drop you off at the house.”
She winced. “A shame he won’t be there, remember?”
“I was joking anyway,” I said it a bit too quickly. That time, I did back pedal. “Not that I wouldn’t want to marry you. You’re a beautiful woman, but I would prefer to court you a bit before making a huge decision. If we’re going to be stuck together for life, I should at least be able to tolerate you for long periods of time. Maybe like you. Preferably love you.” I winked, trying to keep it playful and lighthearted rather than creepy. Last thing I needed to do was freak her out by coming on too strong.
Hard not to, though.
She sighed. “That’s what I would like as well. Unfortunately, things don’t always work out that way.” She glanced over at me. “That being said, I am not against trying to take my future into my own hands. My family will respect that method. It’s how we
