His Beautiful Bea by Leenie Brown

Author:Leenie Brown [Brown, Leenie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Leenie B Books

Chapter 6

For two long and tiresome days, Beatrice was confined to either a sofa in the sitting room at Heathcote or a bench in the garden. Her mother was not known to coddle her children, but she was not the sort who foolishly flouted precautions, especially when it came to Beatrice. Having nearly lost her daughter to a fever when Bea was just eleven, Mrs. Tierney stuck firmly to all prescribed restrictions, and a turned ankle that showed signs of bruising required, according to Bea’s mother, a full two days of rest with little walking. Mrs. Tierney would not confine Bea to her bed, but she would not have her hobbling about ─ not even with a cane. Bea was to rest with her foot on a pillow.

It was, therefore, a happy morning on the third day when Bea could rise from bed and take a walk around the garden — a short walk around the garden, one that would not aggravate her injury. Her mother’s words and expression when giving her directives had been stern, and Bea knew better than to disobey.

So it was that Bea was in the garden near the hedge when her brother, Graeme, and Shelton returned from their ride.

“Miss Tierney!” Shelton doffed his hat and greeted her from where he sat on his horse. “I missed our rematch. I am confident I could have been victorious today.”

Bea smiled and hobbled over to the hedge that bordered the side of the garden that faced the path to the stables. A groom came trotting up with a second at his heals. “My mother was insistent that I not ride, or I would have accompanied Max.”

Shelton swung down from his horse. “May I join you for a walk around the garden?”

“I am only allowed one more circuit before I must sit and rest my foot.”

“Then one escorted turn about the garden it will be,” he answered with a smile, handing his horse to the groom and heading to the small opening in the hedge just a few feet away. “Do not move. Stay just where you are,” he called as he went. “I shall be there directly.”

Graeme’s eyes narrowed as he watched Bea smile and welcome his friend.

“You look out of sorts,” said Max, as he dismounted.

“Do you not worry about how charming Shelton is being with your sister?” Graeme gave his horse’s neck a pat before allowing the groom to lead him away.

“I see no harm in it. He shall be gone in a few days. I doubt he can do much damage in so little time.” He smirked at Graeme. “Are you jealous?”

Graeme frowned. “No, I am not jealous, just well acquainted with my friend and his ways.” It was not a complete lie. He was well acquainted with how Shelton conducted himself with females. It was, however, a complete and utter untruth that he was not jealous. He did not like the way Shelton was smiling at Bea or causing her to giggle. That was Graeme’s job.

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