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

smiling at the uncertainty in his voice. “As soon as he sees you, the tongue comes out.”
    “I’m glad.” When few friends existed, Alexander needed to keep hold of the ones around him, even if one was a four-legged creature of dubious character.
    “He has the bushiest tail,” Amelia continued. “I’m sure if he had chased the birds, it would have become tangled in the undergrowth, but it is nice to feel it pounding against your leg when he’s walking along. That’s it really; you know about his personality traits although you have only seen the best of him so far.”
    “The ‘so far’ does worry me a little, but he is doing very well. I cannot express how good it feels to be able to walk along without being attached to someone,” Alexander said with feeling.
    “It must be hard going from complete independence to total reliance on others,” Amelia said. Her voice was sympathetic but not pitying.
    “You cannot imagine how hard,” came the quiet reply. They walked in silence for a few moments. “Tell me about yourself, Miss Basingstoke. I know nothing of you.”
    Amelia flushed and was grateful that her embarrassment could not be seen. It was easier to be confident when the man you had admired since you had first seen him three seasons ago could not see you. “There is very little to tell,” she said dismissively.
    “Said like a modest miss. I would have expected more from you,” Alexander teased. “I know nothing about your family.”
    Amelia was once again reminded that they would never have crossed paths if it were not for the injury. She sighed quietly; she needed to keep that fact in her mind so her foolish heart could not run away with itself. Nothing could stop her enjoying his company though. “I am somewhere in the middle of nine children,” she started. “I’m the only girl. I think I was spoiled and bullied in equal measure by my brothers.”
    Alexander laughed. “Eight brothers? Woe betide anyone who tries to take liberties with you; they would have sixteen fists to fight off!”
    “If I were the beauty of the season, that might be so, but since I’m a confirmed wallflower, I think the gentlemen of our social circle are safe,” Amelia countered. She did not mind his teasing; she could take what he said in the spirit in which it was offered.
    “The fact that you have eight brothers lurking in the background may have put off one or two gentlemen. Are all your brothers in London?”
    “No, the eldest two are settled near home, both farming the land. With the next two, one is in the Navy and one is studying to take Orders; we hope he will find a living close to home. Of my younger brothers, the two youngest are still at school; then I have one who is an apprentice printer and one who is an apprentice in a solicitor’s office. We are very proud of them all.” Amelia’s tone was a little defensive; she was fully aware of what the ton thought of anyone who earned a living outside the military or clergy. They were the only professions not met with derision.
    Alexander had picked up her tone. He had been surprised at her answer; her being connected to Sir Jeremy Basingstoke, he had assumed she came from a higher ranking family than it appeared she did. “Your parents must be very pleased with all their family,” he said. “What vessel is your brother serving on?”
    Amelia smiled; it was obvious the Captain would be most interested in the brother who was serving in the Navy. “He’s serving on board the HMS Agamemnon,” she replied.
    “A ship that was Nelson’s favourite,” Alexander said. “Although in my opinion it hasn’t been the best of ships.”
    “Why?” Amelia was alarmed for her brother.
    “Oh nothing that should worry you,” Alexander reassured her. “She ran aground in Copenhagen and has always seemed to need some sort of repair. She probably would have been scrapped if we hadn’t gone back to war.”
    “And constantly needing repair is supposed to calm my