Miss Sally's Unsuitable Soldier by Maggie Dallen (read e books online free TXT) 📕

turned to see her, she clamped her lips shut and met his gaze evenly.

He blinked as another darker haired young lady appeared at her side. “Hush, Sally.” The other girl’s eyes were bright. “Lovely to see you again, Lieutenant Colonel.”

His smile grew. “Miss Rebecca. A pleasure to see you again.”

Of all the daughters, Rebecca was the only one who’d made an effort to speak to him, his father, and their guests at the ball. In fact, she’d been most eager to make their acquaintance and had charmed the ladies of the group with her pleasing manners and charming demeanor.

“We’d love to have Miss Rebecca stay as well,” he said quickly. “As a companion for Miss Sally.”

Rebecca lit up with delight, but he did not miss the way Miss Sally shot her an exasperated sidelong glance.

The captain went over to his daughters. “Sally, I suppose you heard the news.”

Even he could tell that the captain was trying to gauge her reaction. Trying to see whether she was amenable to the idea of dropping everything to rush off and aid an old man.

A titled, powerful, wealthy old man, so he supposed they had that going for them.

He glanced over at his father who was scowling fiercely at the poor young lady. Everyone was watching her—waiting, it seemed, for her verdict. It was clear her father would not force her to go if she did not wish it, and it was equally clear that Rebecca would throttle her should she say no.

But what Sally thought of this idea was impossible to tell. He had a better view of her now than he had the evening of the ball, when she’d been a whirlwind of activity. Despite the smudge of dirt still on her forehead—or perhaps because of it—she was more enchanting than ever.

Not beautiful. Rebecca had the rosy cheeks and fair skin, the lush mouth and the pert nose. Sally’s features were sharper, but there was a nobility to them that pleased him. They gave her an air of an ancient Greek soldier. A warrior in a plain morning gown.

He smiled at the thought of a statue of the lady alongside those he’d seen at the British Museum.

“If Dr. Roberts believes me to be up to the task then I have no reason not to assist in any way that I can.”

It was hardly an enthusiastic yes, but Sebastian felt certain that the entire room exhaled as one with that quiet, staid pronouncement. The others fell into movement at once. His father and hers moved together to discuss the logistics of this new arrangement, while Rebecca announced to any who would listen that she was off to tell her sisters the good news.

Sally, meanwhile, stood straight and proud...and silent.

He found himself drawn to her, moving to stand beside her as she watched her father speaking on her behalf.

“While I’m certain taking care of an old earl was not on your scheduled itinerary for the coming weeks, I must admit that I will be glad for the company,” he said.

Her head lifted and he had the rather humbling sensation that she’d only now just noticed him.

Not that he was one to brag, but he was typically deemed quite noticeable indeed. As the son of an earl and handsome, by most ladies’ standards, he was usually noticed quite quickly. And with far more smiles.

As it was, Sally batted her long lashes, not in a flirtatious way, but in the way of someone trying to call their focus to the person standing before them. In the way of someone who’d forgotten the name of the person to whom they were speaking.

In a rather insulting way, to be honest.

But it also made him grin. There it was again. That dreadfully sweet feeling in his chest. Not so different from the sensation he’d gotten as a child when he’d discovered his new favorite pastime. Excitement mixed with anticipation, along with that relish that came with discovering a new challenge.

He tilted his head to the side, his gaze catching on the streak of dirt on her forehead. Yes, indeed. He was very glad she’d be coming to stay. A breath of fresh air would do them all good. Especially with the current guests in residence. The lords and ladies his father had invited to join him for hunting this fall gave new meaning to the word stale.

“Is there something on my face?” Miss Sally asked with a frown.

Now it was his turn to blink as he brought his mind to the topic at hand.

Her thin brows drew down over a narrow nose. “You’re looking at me as though, I…” She didn’t bother finishing, moving past him instead to see her reflection in the mirror on the wall.

“Oh drat,” she murmured as she scrubbed the cuff of her sleeve at the dirt until it was gone. Her gaze caught him staring at her reflection. “I was in the garden, you see.”

“Yes, I saw,” he said. “Are you an avid gardener?”

Her lips curved up but it fell flat before it could become a proper smile. So close.

“Not really,” she said. “But Dr. Roberts lent me a book on medicinal herbs. Some of it seems like old wives’ tales but he assures me there’s some truth in it.”

“And so you have been growing your own,” he guessed.

She nodded. There was that hint of a smile again. “I’ve been trying. Trying is the key word there. I’m afraid I don’t have much of a green thumb.”

He grinned at her rueful tone. “Well, perhaps at our estate you can convince our gardener to share his secrets.” He leaned in and lowered his voice. “The man is a veritable wizard when it comes to all things green.”

“Is he?” Her eyes lit with excitement.

He leaned back. Interesting.

“And aside from magical plant keepers,” he continued. “We’re hosting a small house party so there shall be fine dinners and plenty of dancing.” He grimaced. “Possibly more musicales and charades than one might wish.”

The light in her eyes dimmed.