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

will be disappointed, but I will meet you here tomorrow, if you wish.” She could not refuse to meet the captain. Spending time in his company could rapidly become the highlight of her day.
    “Thank you.” Alexander bowed. “I shall look forward to tomorrow.”
    “You may regret those words,” Amelia muttered but smiled at Alexander’s laugh as he walked away with his valet. “You’d better not let him down, Samson,” she instructed the dog, ruffling the fur on his head as she tugged his lead.
    *
    Alexander had arranged with Peterson that he should wait on the first bench they came to in the park. Although once out of sight he would be of no practical use, Alexander needed his valet to escort him to and from the park. If Samson did not behave, Alexander would have to stand still until rescued, but he had no intention of keeping in sight of his valet. The thought of being free even for a short time made his heart pound in anticipation; in addition, his mood was lightened at the thought of being accompanied by a young lady. He had missed female company, and that Miss Basingstoke seemed intelligent and witty only added to her attraction.
    Amelia was waiting at the gates for Alexander. She had set out even earlier than normal to let Samson get rid of his first burst of energy. Standing at the gate she could appreciate the sight of Alexander walking down the street. Even with his reliance on someone to lead him he walked upright. His shoulders were back and his strides long. He dwarfed the valet when in fact there were not too many inches difference in height. It was the way Alexander held himself that made him appear to tower over Peterson. He no longer wore the uniform of the Navy, but he looked magnificent in a deep blue frock coat, buckskin breeches and gleaming boots. He was a devastatingly handsome man in Amelia’s eyes. She smiled as the gentlemen approached, her smile growing when Samson woofed gently and wagged his tail at his new friend’s approach.
    “Well, Samson, I hope that greeting is a good sign,” Alexander said cheerfully. The dog circled him, as he had done previously and sat at his side, his tail thumping the ground. “Shall we start, Miss Basingstoke?”
    “Whenever you are ready,” Amelia said. She started to walk, and Samson and Alexander joined her, Samson keeping pace with her. She was a little reserved; she had been with other people when in Alexander’s company until now. All of a sudden, who she was with seemed to daunt her. He felt huge as he walked by her side, which was foolish, as she had sat next to him only two weeks ago. She cursed herself and shook her head, trying to dismiss her nonsensical thoughts; it did not make conversation easier for her. She was for the first time in her life tongue-tied.
    “Could you describe Samson to me?” Alexander asked. He was also quite nervous, although it had more to do with being reliant on Samson, but he would never have admitted disquiet, and asking for description was always a good way to settle his nerves. If he could picture something in his mind’s eye, he felt more reassured.
    “Apart from large, uncontrollable brute, you mean?” Amelia replied with a grin.
    “We’ve already established that we disagree on that score,” Alexander responded with an easy smile and a ruffle of Samson’s head.
    “I don’t agree with his detractors actually,” Amelia confessed. “I’ll try to describe him, although this feels a little strange. His coat is golden; you can probably feel how it grows in long curls,” she started. “His eyes are my favourite part of him; they are almost black and seem to laugh, especially when he is about to do something mischievous.”
    “He’s obviously intelligent,” Alexander added.
    “Yes. When he’s happy, his tongue lolls out of the left side of his mouth. I don’t know why, but it’s always the left.”
    “Is his tongue lolling now?” Alexander asked quickly.
    “Yes,” Amelia reassured him,