Read Online The Captain's Wallflower by Audrey Harrison - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Audrey Harrison
Tags: Nov. Rom
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Samson glanced up at him, cocking his ears. She could see the concentration and frown on Alexander’s face. Forcing herself to hang back, she willed Samson to perform well.
After what seemed like an age, Alexander felt Samson stop, and then felt the hard ironwork of the bench. He reached out to feel the structure and then turned to Samson, “Good boy! Good boy!” he said, ruffling the dog’s fur, making a real fuss of him. “What an excellent fellow! Good boy!”
Amelia joined the pair, laughing and reaching over to stroke Samson. “He did it! Well done, Samson,” she said, relieved that he had behaved impeccably.
“Miss Basingstoke, you have an amazing animal,” Alexander said, flushed with the pleasure of having achieved something without the help of another person.
“There are many who would disagree with that statement but, at this moment, I cannot,” Amelia conceded. She had an idea why Alexander was so full of praise, and it choked her a little. He had achieved a walk to a specified place in the open air with only Samson for help. It must have been liberating. “But I’m afraid I need to take Samson back now. We have been out longer than we normally are.”
Alexander’s face fell, “Oh of course, I was being selfish. Will you be able to meet me tomorrow?” he asked, wanting to keep the feeling of elation and anticipation on what else they could teach Samson.
“I will try my best,” Amelia said. “We will be going to another ball tonight, but I expect not to be overtired from too much dancing.”
The words were said in jest, but Alexander detected a note of wistfulness in her tone. “My acquaintances are fools, but their loss is my gain, Miss Basingstoke. I would miss our morning outings if they ceased.”
Amelia knew the compliment was aimed at Samson, mainly, but she did not argue. It did not really matter; she had the benefit of spending time in the company of a very handsome, interesting man. She would have to give Samson a huge treat when they returned; he had worked hard.
They walked back to Peterson with Alexander trying to describe the feelings of nerves and elation he had felt. He was animated and full of smiles, which made Amelia smile with pleasure. The walk seemed too short before she had to say her goodbyes and attach Samson to his lead. He was quiet on the journey home; Amelia wondered if concentrating wore him out as much as a good run did.
She left Samson with the staff after persuading cook to allow him a large bone. Samson had immediately settled down on his blanket with the unexpected treat, his tail thudding the stone floor whenever anyone looked at him; he had no intention of moving until the bone had been devoured.
Amelia returned to the main house and approached the wooden staircase. She needed to change her dress in order to be available for whatever tasks her aunt had planned for her. Not really concentrating on what she was doing, she almost collided with Serena, who was descending the stairs.
“Watch where you’re going!” Serena snapped, shrilly.
“Sorry, I was distracted,” Amelia apologised.
“Your boots are a disgrace; have you been walking that hound again?” Serena looked with derision at Amelia’s attire.
“Yes, he settles down if I exercise him. It’s better for him and the staff,” Amelia explained patiently. She was not about to explain that the last few days, life had been better for herself as well.
“I find it novel that you put the needs of an animal and staff above your own appearance. It’s no wonder everyone gives you a wide berth; you probably smell of dog, the amount of time you spend with him,” Serena sneered.
“Rather that, than everyone giving me a wide berth because they are terrified I will trick them into marriage,” Amelia snapped back.
Serena flushed with anger, “I’ll be glad when you can return to your penniless hole at the end of the season,” she snarled.
“Not as glad as I will be; I’m counting the
After what seemed like an age, Alexander felt Samson stop, and then felt the hard ironwork of the bench. He reached out to feel the structure and then turned to Samson, “Good boy! Good boy!” he said, ruffling the dog’s fur, making a real fuss of him. “What an excellent fellow! Good boy!”
Amelia joined the pair, laughing and reaching over to stroke Samson. “He did it! Well done, Samson,” she said, relieved that he had behaved impeccably.
“Miss Basingstoke, you have an amazing animal,” Alexander said, flushed with the pleasure of having achieved something without the help of another person.
“There are many who would disagree with that statement but, at this moment, I cannot,” Amelia conceded. She had an idea why Alexander was so full of praise, and it choked her a little. He had achieved a walk to a specified place in the open air with only Samson for help. It must have been liberating. “But I’m afraid I need to take Samson back now. We have been out longer than we normally are.”
Alexander’s face fell, “Oh of course, I was being selfish. Will you be able to meet me tomorrow?” he asked, wanting to keep the feeling of elation and anticipation on what else they could teach Samson.
“I will try my best,” Amelia said. “We will be going to another ball tonight, but I expect not to be overtired from too much dancing.”
The words were said in jest, but Alexander detected a note of wistfulness in her tone. “My acquaintances are fools, but their loss is my gain, Miss Basingstoke. I would miss our morning outings if they ceased.”
Amelia knew the compliment was aimed at Samson, mainly, but she did not argue. It did not really matter; she had the benefit of spending time in the company of a very handsome, interesting man. She would have to give Samson a huge treat when they returned; he had worked hard.
They walked back to Peterson with Alexander trying to describe the feelings of nerves and elation he had felt. He was animated and full of smiles, which made Amelia smile with pleasure. The walk seemed too short before she had to say her goodbyes and attach Samson to his lead. He was quiet on the journey home; Amelia wondered if concentrating wore him out as much as a good run did.
She left Samson with the staff after persuading cook to allow him a large bone. Samson had immediately settled down on his blanket with the unexpected treat, his tail thudding the stone floor whenever anyone looked at him; he had no intention of moving until the bone had been devoured.
Amelia returned to the main house and approached the wooden staircase. She needed to change her dress in order to be available for whatever tasks her aunt had planned for her. Not really concentrating on what she was doing, she almost collided with Serena, who was descending the stairs.
“Watch where you’re going!” Serena snapped, shrilly.
“Sorry, I was distracted,” Amelia apologised.
“Your boots are a disgrace; have you been walking that hound again?” Serena looked with derision at Amelia’s attire.
“Yes, he settles down if I exercise him. It’s better for him and the staff,” Amelia explained patiently. She was not about to explain that the last few days, life had been better for herself as well.
“I find it novel that you put the needs of an animal and staff above your own appearance. It’s no wonder everyone gives you a wide berth; you probably smell of dog, the amount of time you spend with him,” Serena sneered.
“Rather that, than everyone giving me a wide berth because they are terrified I will trick them into marriage,” Amelia snapped back.
Serena flushed with anger, “I’ll be glad when you can return to your penniless hole at the end of the season,” she snarled.
“Not as glad as I will be; I’m counting the
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