Read Online Marrying the Royal Marine by Carla Kelly - Free Book Online Page B

Polly had thrown herself into the arms of a tall, beautiful woman with auburn hair.
    It was a brief embrace. The woman—she must be Laura Brittle—quickly turned her attention to the foretopman on the stretcher, as her husband planted a quick kiss on Polly’s cheek, shook hands with the Perseverance ’s surgeon, and engaged him in conversation.
    ‘Are you planning to stay in Oporto, Colonel Junot?’ Captain Adney asked.
    ‘Perhaps,’ he temporised.
    ‘We’ll be at the navy wharf today and then sailing the day after, if winds and tide are willing.’
    ‘Very well, sir. I’ll sail with you.’ He couldn’t very well say anything else. He stood at the railing, uncertain, wanting to go down the gangplank and introduce himself, and suddenly shy. He looked at Polly for a clue, and she beckoned him.
    That was easy. In another moment he was smiling inwardly at Polly’s shy introduction, and bowing to Mrs Philemon Brittle, who truly was as beautiful as her younger sister had declared. Philemon Brittle held out his hand and he gave it a shake, impressed with the strength of the surgeon’s grasp.
    ‘Do join us for luncheon, Colonel, unless you have urgent business that takes you elsewhere,’ Mrs Brittle said.
    ‘Since the King of Portugal is probably taking his ease on a beach in Brazil, and Boney is on his way to Russia, if reports are accurate, I am at a momentary loss for luncheon engagements,’ he joked, which made her smile and show off the dimple he recognised in Polly’s cheek, too.
    ‘Very well, sir. If Marshal Soult should show his brazen face here again, we’ll release you before the sorbet. Come, Polly. Colonel?’
    He walked up the hill from the wharf with a sister on either side of him. He looked from one to the other, which made Polly stop.
    ‘Laura, this is droll! Colonel Junot is comparing us!’
    So much for my peace of mind , Hugh thought, surprisingly unembarrassed, since he had made an obvious discovery that was probably clear to everyone except Polly herself. ‘You have me, Brandon. Anyone with two eyes can see that you and Mrs Brittle are sisters.’
    ‘I have told her that many times,’ Mrs Brittle said. ‘Perhaps she will choose to believe me some day. Thank you, Colonel Junot!’ She paused then, and her eyes narrowed slightly. ‘Brandon? Apparently you have either chosen a nickname for Polly, or you are on to our own effort to get my sister to Portugal.’
    ‘You were right, Colonel!’ Polly exclaimed. ‘Laura, I don’t know why he calls me that, but we did wonder if perhaps some correspondence came from Portugal requesting a Brandon Polly for service.’
    ‘It was the feeblest attempt,’ Mrs Brittle said as they resumed walking again. ‘Philemon hoped some overworked clerk at the Navy Board would apparently do what he did. Perhaps I shall call you Brandon, too, my love. Welcome to hard service in the navy.’
    If Polly had a rejoinder ready, it went unnoticed when an orderly at the top of the hill called for Mrs Brittle. Alert, Laura put her finger to her lips and listened.
    ‘Ward C, mum! Lively now!’
    Without a word of explanation, Mrs Brittle hiked up her skirts to reveal shapely legs and ran up the hill, forgetting her company completely, it seemed. She stopped halfway up and looked back, but Hugh just waved her on. He took Polly’s arm, content to walk the rest of the way with her.
    ‘I gather all the rumours are true, Brandon. Wouldn’t it be nice some day if your gifted sister could be recognised for what she is doing here?’
    ‘I doubt it would concern her,’ Polly replied, and he could hear the pride in her voice. ‘She would probably just laugh, and say the war is harder on wives like Nana, who wait. It must be so hard to be apart from one’s love.’
    Maybe I am about to find out , Hugh thought to himself. Or maybe I am just an idiot.
    They arrived at the convent and were greeted immediately by a nun, who directed them to the dining room. The table was