Read Online Bride of the Solway by JOANNA MAITLAND - Free Book Online
Authors: JOANNA MAITLAND
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was definitely trying to make a good impression on Mrs Anstruther, probably in order to curry favour with the colonel. But why? What was Elliott after? What could the colonel possibly have that Elliott needed?
Miss Elliott rose from her chair to help hand round the cups, first to her brother and then to the colonel. She moved with the grace of a gazelle. And she had beautiful white hands, almost as delicate and translucent as the fine porcelain she carried. 'Cream and sugar, Captain Graham?' For the first time, she smiled directly at him. He realised , with something of a surprise, that her dark eyes were not brown, but blue, the rich blue of a summer twilight sky. So very unlike her brother's shifty brown eyes. But then, they had not had the same mother. That would account for the differences between them. Ross was suddenly glad of it. He found he could not stomach the thought that Miss Elliott was in any way like her blackguard of a brother.
'Captain Graham?'
'I beg your pardon, Miss Elliott. No sugar, thank you.'
She nodded and brought his cup to him. 'It is unusual for a man to drink tea without sugar.'
'We did have tea in the Peninsula, ma'am, and sugar. But they were not always easy to come by. One learns to adapt.'
'I am surprised to learn that officers in the army were drinking tea,' she said, on the thread of a laugh. Her eyes were dancing. They were really very beautiful eyes.
'We were not all lost to the ways of polite society, ma'am. One or two of the officers were accompanied by their wives, so we single men did not become complete barbarians.' He willingly returned her smile. Her brother might be scheming, but Miss Elliott seemed to be everything a lady should be. How was it possible that she had been fleeing for the Solway, dressed only in a sodden shift? Ross determined to solve the mystery surrounding her. It was clear that she needed protection from her brother. But why?
'I find I have a picture of you in my mind, sitting on the ground around a camp fire, weapons in one hand and a bowl of tea in the other. Absurd, is it not?'
He laughed and was delighted that she did, too. She had very even white teeth and a wide, kissable mouth. Lord, where had that thought come from? For a moment he was stunned by his own reaction.
'I can see that I must not pursue that avenue of conversation any further, Captain Graham, lest you find yourself confiding what else the single officers were doing. Tell me, what brings you north? Your accent suggests that you are originally from Scotland, but I was wondering why you chose to visit Dumfries rather than, say, Edinburgh. Does your family come from here?'
'I am not exactly sure.' He cursed silently. What on earth had possessed him to let that slip? Miss Elliott's surprise was clear and absolutely predictable. Everyone disdained a man without a family. Now he would have to explain something of his Scottish origins—not that he knew much—and to try to parry the inevitable questions.
She did not display the vulgar curiosity he had expected, however, saying merely, 'How.. .er.. .unusual. Do you plan to make a long stay in this part of the country?'
Ross was becoming more and more impressed. This was a true lady. She had seen his dawning embarrassment and had skilfully helped him through it. What had happened to the hoyden? Was this really the same woman? It seemed impossible. Yet it was true.
He must do his best to respond in kind.
'I find it strangely beautiful, I must admit. As I have no pressing reasons to return to London, I fancy I may spend some time in these parts, exploring the area. There are some fine houses to visit, I believe?'
'Yes, indeed. Many. And even finer gardens. The climate here is most clement, particularly towards the west. Some of the local gentry have created beautiful gardens and are bringing in all sorts of new plants from distant parts. I find myself envying them greatly.' She smiled up at him. 'Yes, I know it is a sin, but I cannot help
Miss Elliott rose from her chair to help hand round the cups, first to her brother and then to the colonel. She moved with the grace of a gazelle. And she had beautiful white hands, almost as delicate and translucent as the fine porcelain she carried. 'Cream and sugar, Captain Graham?' For the first time, she smiled directly at him. He realised , with something of a surprise, that her dark eyes were not brown, but blue, the rich blue of a summer twilight sky. So very unlike her brother's shifty brown eyes. But then, they had not had the same mother. That would account for the differences between them. Ross was suddenly glad of it. He found he could not stomach the thought that Miss Elliott was in any way like her blackguard of a brother.
'Captain Graham?'
'I beg your pardon, Miss Elliott. No sugar, thank you.'
She nodded and brought his cup to him. 'It is unusual for a man to drink tea without sugar.'
'We did have tea in the Peninsula, ma'am, and sugar. But they were not always easy to come by. One learns to adapt.'
'I am surprised to learn that officers in the army were drinking tea,' she said, on the thread of a laugh. Her eyes were dancing. They were really very beautiful eyes.
'We were not all lost to the ways of polite society, ma'am. One or two of the officers were accompanied by their wives, so we single men did not become complete barbarians.' He willingly returned her smile. Her brother might be scheming, but Miss Elliott seemed to be everything a lady should be. How was it possible that she had been fleeing for the Solway, dressed only in a sodden shift? Ross determined to solve the mystery surrounding her. It was clear that she needed protection from her brother. But why?
'I find I have a picture of you in my mind, sitting on the ground around a camp fire, weapons in one hand and a bowl of tea in the other. Absurd, is it not?'
He laughed and was delighted that she did, too. She had very even white teeth and a wide, kissable mouth. Lord, where had that thought come from? For a moment he was stunned by his own reaction.
'I can see that I must not pursue that avenue of conversation any further, Captain Graham, lest you find yourself confiding what else the single officers were doing. Tell me, what brings you north? Your accent suggests that you are originally from Scotland, but I was wondering why you chose to visit Dumfries rather than, say, Edinburgh. Does your family come from here?'
'I am not exactly sure.' He cursed silently. What on earth had possessed him to let that slip? Miss Elliott's surprise was clear and absolutely predictable. Everyone disdained a man without a family. Now he would have to explain something of his Scottish origins—not that he knew much—and to try to parry the inevitable questions.
She did not display the vulgar curiosity he had expected, however, saying merely, 'How.. .er.. .unusual. Do you plan to make a long stay in this part of the country?'
Ross was becoming more and more impressed. This was a true lady. She had seen his dawning embarrassment and had skilfully helped him through it. What had happened to the hoyden? Was this really the same woman? It seemed impossible. Yet it was true.
He must do his best to respond in kind.
'I find it strangely beautiful, I must admit. As I have no pressing reasons to return to London, I fancy I may spend some time in these parts, exploring the area. There are some fine houses to visit, I believe?'
'Yes, indeed. Many. And even finer gardens. The climate here is most clement, particularly towards the west. Some of the local gentry have created beautiful gardens and are bringing in all sorts of new plants from distant parts. I find myself envying them greatly.' She smiled up at him. 'Yes, I know it is a sin, but I cannot help
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