Read Online The Captain's Wallflower by Audrey Harrison - Free Book Online

in this she could not be so forward. Even now as he sat on the bench, he was a fine figure of a man; he sat upright, slightly leaning forwards, his hands on each of his knees as if ready to spring into action at any time. “I sometimes speak before I think; in fact, I often do it. Ignore what I said when we first met; I was being flippant, and it was very rude of me.”
    “Hmm, I think you were being truthful. My brother would say as much if asked,” Alexander admitted. “I’d never thought of myself the way you or Anthony described me, but I’ve had to face up to a lot these past months. Reflecting on my behaviour has not been a pleasant experience, but necessary if I was to deal with the sight loss and start living again.”
    “I think you’ve had enough to deal with without having to change your personality as well,” Amelia defended him.
    “Would it make sense if I said I’m glad the change took place?” Alexander asked. “Oh, don’t get me wrong; I wasn’t at the start, and I think I still struggle more times than I handle what I face. I can’t shake off the thought, though, that if I’d died and all I left in the minds of people who did not know me well was that I was stiff lipped, glowering and reserved, I’d feel saddened they had not seen my true character.”
    “Will you ever let me forget those words?” Amelia said with embarrassment.
    “Probably not,” Alexander said with a smile that lit up his face. Amelia caught her breath; he was handsome even when he did not smile, but when he smiled, his whole face brightened with amusement and, for the first time in her life, she felt breathless.
    He held out his hand and, although Amelia hesitated, she placed her own in his. Alexander squeezed her gloved fingers; they felt small in his own large hand. It was the first physical contact they had shared, and it gave him an idea of her size. She was obviously slightly built, her hand small and slender. He felt bolder than he would have in different circumstances. He allowed his free hand to roam across her fingers and down to her wrist. He was pleased when he heard the slight intake of breath. It was the first positive response from a woman he had experienced in over a year, and it took a lot of strength for him to gather himself. The last thing he needed was to push her too far, insult her and be left alone on a bench in the middle of Green Park.
    He took a deep breath and pulled himself together; he had never been one to take advantage of an innocent girl, and he certainly was not going to start now. “Miss Basingstoke, please be assured that I’m not ignorant of the debt I owe you.”
    Amelia flushed a deep red, and her heart raced; his grip felt strong and sure, but when he used his other hand to examine her clasped one, she needed all her willpower to prevent herself from leaning into him. She had never been a weak and feeble miss, but his touch almost turned her into one.
    “There’s no need to thank me; I’m happy to be here,” she said, her voice a little softer than usual. It was true; she was happy to be with him. She was also foolish and silly, she silently cursed to herself, shaking her idiotic thoughts away.
    Alexander squeezed her hand before releasing it. “You shouldn’t dismiss what you’ve done for me. I wish there was something I could do for you in return.”
    “You could find a ship that could spirit my aunt and cousin away perhaps?” Amelia said flippantly.
    “Are they so bad?” Alexander asked. Their reputation had been enough to keep him at such a distance that he could not claim a detailed knowledge of them or their ways.
    “They have been very good in giving me a home these past few seasons, it’s just—I miss the country and my family,” Amelia responded. It was not polite to seem ungrateful about her relations to someone who was almost a stranger.
    “Yes, I can understand that,” Alexander responded, not pushing her for further information. It would not have