Chapter 3
Then for the first time he looked to see who had been skilful enough to help him.
Not realising she was doing so, Kriya looked as she bend down to insert the stone under the shoe, had pushed back her sun-bonnet so that still tied by it's ribbons under her chin, it hung down her back.
Her hair could now be seen curling unfashionably over her head in a natural and very attractive manner, and was in the sunshine turned to burning gold.
It was vivid gold of the daffodils in spring, the jasmine when it first appears after the cold of the winter and the corn when it is just beginnig to ripen in the fields.
Anybody who saw Kriya looked at her hair as if they did not believe it could possibly be natural, but must owe it's vivid colour to the dye-pot.
It complemented the pink and white clarity of her skin and blue eyes, which strangely enough were the vivid blue of an alpine flower rather than the soft blue of an English summer sky.
Despite the cynical expression on his face, there was a look of astonishment in the eyes of the Gentleman.
At the same time if he was surprised by her, Kriya was certainly surprised by him.
Never had she seen a man who looked so sardonic.
His hair was dark, his features clear-cut and while his eye brows seemed almost to meet across the bridge of his nose, almost contemptuous expression in his eyes as if he despised everything & everyone.
They stood looking at each other until the Gentleman said dryly:
"You certainly make me believe that the stories of pretty milk-maids are afterall, not exaggerated!"
There was a faint twist to his lips which one could hardly call a smile as he added:
"Here is something to add to your bottom drawer when you find a hefty young farmer to make you happy."
Then as Kriya would have looked down at what he had given her, he moved a step forward and putting his hand under her chin turned her face up to his.
Before she realised what was happening, before she had time to think, he bent his head and his lips were on hers.
She felt as if he held her prisoner and it was impossible to move or breathe.
Then, as at the back of her mind she knew she must strugggle and at the same time tell him that he insulted her, he released her and with the lithe grace of an athletic man, sprang into the saddle.
While she was still staring at him in bewilderment he said:
"What is more, he will be a very lucky man.Tell him I said so."
He rode off and as kriya watched the dust from his horse's hoofs rising behind him she thought she must be dreaming.
Edited by AbhiyaMaaneet - 12 years ago