Jude grunted as he slid beneath the carriage, tightening the bolts of the left-hand side back wheel. It had rattled slightly when they had been returning from the house party the family had attended last evening. Barnaby had told him to look at it first thing in the morning and now here he was, sweating slightly with the effort, despite the coldness of the day.
He frowned as he studied the bolts. The problem was it was hard to grip them properly in the position he was in. It was the angle. He was just trying to figure out how to position himself properly in order to complete the task when he saw feet approaching the carriage, stopping only inches from where his head was.
“Jude,” said a feminine voice, which he recognised as belonging to Sally Potter.
He cursed beneath his breath. He stifled a surge of irritation. Apart from the fact he was trying to avoid the kitchen maid after that impulsive kiss they had shared at the village dance, he was busy. He had to tighten these bolts before Evelina needed the carriage to journey to Charingworth for pantomime rehearsal today. Why was Sally seeking him?
With a sigh, he slid out from under the carriage, standing up. Sally was standing there with a sandwich in her hand. He saw it was a slice of thick ham, smeared with mustard, between two slices of bread. She handed it to him.
Jude gazed down at the sandwich. “Thank you,” he said, in a puzzled voice. “But why are you giving me this?”
Sally flashed him a smile. “I noticed you didn’t break your fast this morning,” she said. “You can’t put in a good morning’s work on an empty stomach, Jude.”
He looked down at the sandwich. While he appreciated the gesture, he felt uncomfortable with it. He didn’t want Sally to be tending to him like this, paying such close attention to his wants and needs. She was acting in a proprietorial way with him, which suggested a relationship they didn’t have and he was trying to avoid.
“Relax, Jude,” said Sally, with a short laugh. “It is only a sandwich. It is not going to bite you. In fact, you are supposed to biteit.”
He couldn’t help but laugh with her. He was probably overreacting. Itwasa kind gesture, and he truly was hungry. In his haste to get the task done before Evelina needed the carriage, he had decided not to go into the kitchen at all this morning. And he probably wouldn’t get luncheon either, as he would be ensnared with the pantomime rehearsal.
Sally watched him as he devoured the sandwich in three gulps. She laughed.
“You have a good appetite,” she said, smiling at him flirtatiously. “My mam always saysnevertrust a man who has no appetite!”
Jude laughed again, wiping the crumbs from his mouth.
“I appreciate it, Sally,” he said. “But I should get back to work. I need to fix this wheel before the carriage is needed this morning.”
“It was no bother,” said Sally, her eyes shining. “I had to leave the kitchen to peg out the laundry, anyway. Cook was so busy with making broth for luncheon at the stove that she didn’t even notice me making the sandwich.”
He nodded. There was a silence. He wished she would just turn and leave, but she stayed there, smiling at him.
“Have you written to your old sweetheart in Shrewsbury yet?” she asked, fixing him with a pointed look. “Or have you decided to let the past and see what is right in front of you?”
Jude sighed heavily. It was just like Sally to be so direct and forward. He should have known that he hadn’t put her off with the fictitious story of his unresolved feelings towards a woman left behind in Shrewsbury. Most girls would have backed off immediately, out of wounded pride if nothing else. But Sally was determined, and she was tenacious.
Sally Potter liked to be the winner. That much was obvious.
He felt another pang of irritation. He shouldn’t have to be doing this. He had told her plainly that there could be nothing between them. Perhaps his mistake had been in trying to let her down gently. But it was out of character for him to act in a mean way, and he hadn’t wanted to hurt her anymore than he was forced to.
“I have written a letter to her,” he lied. “But I haven’t received a reply yet.”
“You should just forget her,” urged Sally, taking a step closer to him. “She is gone and has probably moved on, anyway.” She paused, studying his face closely. “I am right here in front of you, Jude. And I am more than willing.” She gave him a seductive smile.
“Sally,” he said, taking a hasty step back. “You must stop.” He sighed, running a frustrated hand through his head. “I do not know how to tell you any plainer that I am not interested.”
Her face hardened. “You seemed interested when we went for that walk at the dance,” she said, looking him straight in the eye. “Veryinterested. You wouldn’t have kissed me otherwise.”
“That was a mistake,” he said quickly. “I was muddled by that powerful punch. I do not want to have a relationship with you, Sally. I am sorry to be so blunt about it, but you are pushing me to it.”
She didn’t like that. Her lips tightened into a thin line and her sea-green eyes flashed dangerously.
“I am truly sorry, Sally,” he continued, hating himself for what he was saying, but feeling as if he had no choice. “But you have pushed me to say this.” He sighed heavily. “I don’t want any discord between us. I do like you. Can’t we just be friends?”
She glared at him. “I don’t think so,” she said, her voice laced with fury. “You are odd, Jude Huxley. There is something about this that I just cannot put my finger on.”
At that moment, Evelina emerged from the house. She was carrying her wooden basket. She stopped when she saw them, gazing at them. Jude gazed back. Their eyes met briefly before Evelina turned away, heading towards the garden.
“The lady is going to pick flowers,” said Sally, in a sour voice. “Oh, what a life it must be to have so much time to do such silly things.” She raised her chin, looking Jude directly in the eye. “She looks lovely in that white gown, doesn’t she?”