Read Online Wendy Soliman by Duty's Destiny - Free Book Online Page B

and that Mr. Fothergill had been very surprised. But they were uncharacteristically subdued and would say nothing more on the matter.
    “Well,” Felix said, rising from his chair. “I’m off to the bay to do a little fishing. I met a man in Burton Bradstock, today, who has arranged to meet me there and supply me with tackle.”
    “Oh, that will be Mr. Evans — ”
    “He persuades everyone who’s new here to fish our river — ”
    “The River Bride, it’s called,” offered Josh helpfully.
    “Indeed, so I understand. Do you like to fish, twins?”
    “Mama doesn’t allow it.”
    “What does Mama not allow?”
    Felix looked up, unaware that Mrs. Eden had joined them, wondering how long she’d been standing there and what she’d overheard.
    “For us to go fishing.”
    “It’s dangerous for children on their own, Josh, as you’re well aware.”
    “But if we went with Mr. Beaumont — ”
    “He would look after us.”
    “Has Mr. Beaumont invited you to join him?”
    “Well, no, but — ”
    “But I was about to, with your permission, Mrs. Eden.” Felix offered a mildly expectant and perfectly courteous expression for her examination.
    “Well, I’m not sure it would be wise to — ”
    “Oh, Mama, please!” Naturally this was said in unison.
    “You may rest assured that I’ll take the best of care of them and would welcome their company.” Felix replaced his courteous expression with a disarming smile.
    “Well, all right, then. But you are to do whatever Mr. Beaumont asks of you without question, children, and are not to be any trouble. Do you understand?”
    “Yes, Mama!” But they were already leaping around, narrowly managing to avoid tripping over Hoskins who was dashing about in tight circles, chasing his tail and generally adding to the mayhem.
    Two hours later Felix carried a sound-asleep Amy through the doors of Riverside House. Josh was at his side, valiantly attempting to conceal his yawns. Mrs. Eden had clearly been watching for their return, and came rushing up to them, her face ashen.
    “What’s happened? What’s wrong with her? Is she harmed?”
    “Calm yourself, Mrs. Eden. She’s merely asleep. Too much excitement and fresh air, I fear.” Felix indicated the yawning Josh with his eyes, causing his mother to expel an audible sigh of relief.
    “Well, at least I won’t have the usual struggle to get them to bed tonight. Thank you, Mr. Beaumont, I can take her now.”
    “I wouldn’t hear of it. You might wake her. I’ll carry her up for you.”
    “I can manage.”
    “I dare say, but not as easily as I can.”
    Giving her no time to demure, Felix carried Amy up to the first floor and, at receiving a nod from Mrs. Eden, continued on to the second. Saskia opened the door to the twins’ room, and Felix laid Amy on her bed.
    “Girls aren’t as strong as us men, are they, Mr. Beaumont?” Josh sank onto his own bed with an exhausted sigh, causing Mrs. Eden and Felix to share the first amused smile of their acquaintanceship.
    “You must always take care of your sister, Josh,” Felix said.
    “Of course, sir.”
    “Have you thanked Mr. Beaumont for his kindness, Josh?”
    “Yes, Mama. And we caught lots of fish, but Mr. Beaumont said we had to throw them back because they were too small to eat. Amy didn’t want to put the worms on the hook but girls don’t like doing that either, do they, Mr. Beaumont?”
    Leaving Josh chattering away to no one in particular, Felix moved towards the door and whispered to in Mrs. Eden’s ear. “Ask Josh what happened to his knuckles,” he said.
    The twins had remained subdued for much of the afternoon, and Felix realized, after a while, why that must be: Josh had angry red marks across the back of his knuckles. Felix and Luc had received a ruler across their own hands during their school days far too often for him not to recognize the signs…but this attack upon Josh had been particularly vicious.
    It was not Felix’s business, of