The Sergeant Major's Daughter by Sheila Walsh Read Free Book Online

I know very well that I have you to thank for this piece of treachery! You have been positively encouraging Stayne to notice the boy, have you not?”
    “Amaryllis—Jamie must learn to ride.”
    “He is too young!”
    “He is six—nearly seven. Can you not see... ?”
    “I can see that my opinion counts for nothing where my son is concerned!” Amaryllis had snatched her hands away with a pettish air of drama. “I only pray that you may not live to regret your high-handedness.”
    With Jamie now totally demoralized, Felicity was forced to hurry him; even so, the Earl was in the stable yard before them. He saw them and checked his impatient stride, but it was an unfortunate start.
    “Ah—at last,” he said. “Come along, young man. Here is Mr. Dandy waiting.”
    Jamie eyed the shining new leather saddle on the patient gray cob’s back—and shrank away.
    Stayne frowned. “Come, Jamie,” he commanded, his tone peremptory.
    Felicity felt compelled to intervene. “My lord,” she said quietly. “The child is frightened. Would it not be wiser to let him ... take matters more slowly?”
    “No, madam—it would not. And if that is to be your attitude, then I suggest you return to the house and leave Jamie to me.”
    The small hand tightened convulsively in hers.
    “Indeed I will not!”
    “Very well. But if you are to stay, pray be silent and allow me to know what I am about.”
    “If you will only listen, sir ... Jamie is frightened ... Amaryllis ... ”
    “Oh, good God!” Stayne exploded. “That boy has been smothered and indoctrinated until he is in danger of becoming a regular namby-pamby!”
    “That is unjust! I have done my best to overcome his reticence, but Jamie’s fear of horses has been long fostered—it cannot be eradicated in an instant.” Felicity glared. “I am particularly fond of horses myself, but if I were afraid, I am sure there is nothing I should like less than being compelled to ride.”
    “Nonsense,” said the Earl curtly, “Jamie is not afraid. Are you, lad?”
    Jamie had almost forgotten his terrors in the fascination of their argument. No one argued with Uncle Max! His mamma would sometimes rail against him, but no one argued!
    “ Are you, Jamie?” his uncle repeated.
    “N—no, sir.” He didn’t sound sure, but when Stayne held out a hand and again commanded him to come, he did so, with lagging step.
    Felicity let him go with a smile of encouragement. While she waited, she wandered from stall to stall—a by now familiar tour. There was no denying that his lordship kept an enviable stable. Halfway along she made her customary halt, as a bay with a white blaze on its brow pushed an inquisitive velvet nose forward.
    “Oh, you are beautiful!” Felicity exclaimed, putting out a hand to be nuzzled. The mare nickered softly. There was breeding in every movement—in the proud lift and shake of the head, the way the ears pricked, the liveliness of eye.
    “Starlight has fair taken to you, ma’am,” said Benson, the head groom, at her shoulder. “She’s his lordship’s latest—a fine mare—and a prime goer, but for all that, she’s a rare handful and no mistake.”
    T he sound of Mr. Dandy returning sent them both hurrying back to the yard. Felicity was relieved to see Jamie being lifted down, none the worse for his expedition. He turned a shining face to her.
    “Did you see me, Cousin F’licity? Uncle Max says I did very well!”
    She praised him warmly, aware of the Earl’s mocking gaze; it said unmistakably, “I told you so!”
    “And I may come again tomorrow, mayn’t I, Uncle Max?”
    “Certainly, child. If you do as well, you shall feed Mr. Dandy an apple.” The Earl’s gaze returned to Felicity. “You expressed a love of horses, Miss Vale. You ride, of course?”
    “Tolerably well, my lord.”
    “Cousin F’licity was only two when she first sat a horse,” Jamie insisted, with a mixture of pride and envy. “I told you, Uncle Max!”
    “So you did,