Briar Patch Read Free

the servants. They would have just a cook and a parlour maid to look after them and perhaps a woman from the village to come in and clean. She would be constantly in her mother’s company with nowhere she could escape to when she wished to be alone.
    Besides, living so close to the hall she would be constantly reminded that she was no longer the daughter of the squire but merely Philip’s sister. She wasn’t sure if she would be able to keep her horses and the thought of parting with them made her wretched. Yet what were her alternatives? She had the accomplishments expected of young ladies but her skills were not exceptional. It seemed she had a choice between marriage and living at home with her mother.
    Seeing a large rambling bush covered by the blooms of wild roses, Roz stopped to admire and to pick a small posy. She held the posy to her nose but the perfume was faint. About to move on, she discovered that her skirt had caught on a thorn. In her efforts to pick the flowers she’d become entangled in the briars.
    â€˜Hold still a minute, miss,’ a man’s voice said and she jumped. Intent on her task, she had not noticed his approach. ‘If you pull it the material will tear.’
    â€˜Oh . . . thank you.’
    She blushed as her rescuer took hold of her skirt and carefully untangled it. His hands looked brown and there was dirt beneath the fingernails. He was dressed in the clothes of a farm worker, his shabby breeches tucked into long buckled boots and a dark brown waistcoat over his wool shirt. A handsome man, his hair was dark brown and touched his collar, curling slightly in the nape. As he smiled at her she saw his eyes were what some people called hazel.
    â€˜There, you’re free now.’
    â€˜I’m not sure how I became so entangled. I dare say it was reaching for the best roses.’
    â€˜It’s a pity to pick them. ‘They’ll die before you get home.’
    â€˜I was going to give them to Mrs Allen at the rectory. Mama sent some pastries – and I thought the roses would be nice as an extra gift.’
    His gaze narrowed, as if he’d just realized who she was. ‘Well, I am sure she will be pleased, but it’s still a pity to pluck them – nature’s bounty is for the pleasure of all who see it and the rose hip is much prized for syrup by the poor folk who gather them.’
    â€˜Oh, I hadn’t thought of it like that.’ Roz felt uncomfortable. She was of course on common land but had not given a thought as to who might own the roses. His manner had become cold, accusing. ‘I’m sorry.’
    He continued to stare at her but didn’t answer, merely nodding curtly before he walked away.
    What a rude man! Roz felt her embarrassment fade to be replaced by annoyance as he disappeared round the bend.
    Raising her head defiantly, Roz walked on. She didn’t know who the young man was and she had no wish to find out.
    Tom Blake frowned as he saw Carrie standing in the lane between their land and the common. It bordered the squire’s land and the wild meadow Thornton had coveted. She had her hands on her stomach and was smiling in the vague way she often did.
    â€˜What are you doing here? You should be at home helping Ma with the chores.’
    Carrie turned her dreamy eyes on him. She walked towards him, a look of content on her face.
    â€˜It’s such a lovely morning, our Tom. I thought I would meet Dick. He’ll be coming home soon, perhaps today.’
    â€˜I’ve told you a dozen times, girl. Dick has gone. He won’t be coming back.’
    â€˜He will one day. He told me so himself,’ Carrie said. ‘I know you put him in that box in the ground but he won’t stay there for ever. He’ll come for me one day.’
    â€˜If he does you’ll be dead.’ Tom hadn’t the heart to be cross with her. Carrie had caused so much trouble but she didn’t understand.
    Carrie