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

to imagine life at an earl’s estate. Surrounded by young ladies who would no doubt look down at her, mingling with members of the ton…

Oh, she did not belong in such a crowd as that. She clasped her hands together once more and squeezed them tight to keep from wringing them as the earl’s son was drawn into the gentlemen’s conversation.

At least she had a reprieve from his knowing grin.

But what exactly did he think he knew? And why had he seemed so very amused by her? She’d done nothing to warrant those smiles, nor that glint of laughter.

Though the squeaky hinges conversation had been rather amusing. Even now she felt the urge to laugh aloud at his feigned solemnity in the face of her sister’s giddy squeals.

Soon enough the details of this new arrangement had been worked out, a date set, a decision made. And Sally curtsied politely as they took their leave.

“Isn’t this too exciting?” Rebecca wrapped her arms about Sally’s waist as the door shut behind their visitors.

“The earl’s son was quite handsome, was he not?” Rebecca continued.

Sally rolled her eyes and rested her head back on her sister’s shoulder. “He’s not for the likes of us, Rebecca.”

“Why?” Her slightly younger, much prettier sister pouted. “Because we’re not the daughters of a duke?”

Sally laughed. “Yes.” She turned to face her. “That is precisely why.”

Rebecca shrugged, not seeming too upset. Sally let out a breath of relief. At least her sister was not pining over the earl’s second son. That was something. It would be hard enough to keep her sweet, innocent, and decidedly flirtatious sister safe in the midst of a society gathering. But at least she wouldn’t have to worry about her sister getting caught in Sebastian’s predatory gaze.

She shivered at the memory of his eyes. Of the look of intent. She wrapped her shawl tighter around her shoulders and forced a smile for her sister’s sake. “Let’s go back outside and tell Min.”

“Yes, we must tell her that she’s not the only one off on a grand adventure.” Rebecca leaned in and whispered loudly. “Maybe you and I shall fall head over heels just like she’s done with her charming pirate.”

“Maybe,” Sally hedged. But hopefully not. Falling for a lord of such high rank could surely only lead to heartache. Particularly for one as sweet and outgoing as Rebecca.

“After all, there must be other gentlemen at the manor. He’s hosting a hunting party, did you hear? There must be loads of eligible men.”

Sally patted her sister’s hand on her arm. “Yes, dear. But let’s do our best not to get carried away, shall we?”

“Of course!” Rebecca stopped and turned to her with wide eyes. “Do you think if I got engaged at Hampton Manor, we would be able to have the wedding there in the spring?”

Sally stared at her sister. “We who, dear?”

Rebecca’s lips formed a little moue of disdain. Sally laughed and patted her hand “Never mind. I’m just glad to see you’re not getting carried away.”

After the surprise visit from the earl and his son, time moved far too quickly for Sally’s liking.

Sally had resolved not to cry when she said farewell to her eldest sister, but her resolve didn’t stand a chance when her normally stoic sister was weeping openly on her shoulder.

“I’ll miss you all so,” Minerva said through her sniffles.

Minerva’s embrace was fierce.

Sally managed a nod, her throat too choked to speak at first. “You know, I wouldn’t let you go if I didn’t think you would be blissfully happy with Marcus.”

Her sister leaned back to give her a watery smile that was filled with understanding. Of all her sisters, Minerva had the temperament closest to Sally’s. Neither was overly sentimental—at least, not typically. And neither was prone to girlish swooning or overly romantic dreams.

And so it had actually been highly amusing to watch Minerva fall in love. And with a pirate, no less. Or a privateer, rather. That was what he and Mr. Calhoun claimed to be, but Sally supposed none of them really cared how he’d made his fortune just so long as he continued to look upon their dear Minerva as though she hung the moon.

Marcus was surrounded by a sniffling Abigail, a weeping Rebecca crying on his shoulder, and Hattie in his arms as she buried her face against his chest with a loud sob.

Yes, they’d all come to love Marcus as a brother rather quickly, and while they were all loath to see Minerva sail off for distant shores, there was no denying that she was getting a fairy tale ending, in a way.

Well, in a pirate kind of way.

Still, for Minerva, it was perfect. She’d always been called to the open seas. She’d taken after their mother in that sense.

“You’ll look after Hattie for me, won’t you?” Minerva asked as she squeezed Sally’s shoulders.

Sally nodded. “Of course I will.”

In that way, Minerva was nothing at all like their mother. While the rest of the world believed their father’s stories that their mother had died at sea, Sally and her sisters had always known the truth.

She’d left them. Abandoned them for a more exciting life than five little girls could provide. All for the best though. Good riddance, as far as Sally was concerned. She had no use for anyone who had no use for her. Her father and sisters had provided all the love and guidance any young lady could ask for.

“And Rebecca, too,” Minerva added. Her brows drew together. “I’m happy for her that she’ll be able to enjoy herself at the manor, but…” She bit her lip and trailed off.

Sally tugged her back in for another quick, tight hug. “I’ll make sure she stays out of trouble.”

Minerva nodded.

It wasn’t that Rebecca was a troublemaker. Out of all of them, she was possibly the most dutiful and least likely to cause mischief. But she was definitely the most frivolous, the most prone to fall hard and fast for any gentleman who