Nell Read Online Free Page A

softened. “Please, Jilly.”
    Stone-faced, Jilly remained silent.
    Margaret recognized the mutinous look on her daughter’s face and gave up. Jilly went her own way. She always had. Margaret blamed it on Pyers. Delighted with his miracle daughter after he’d reconciled himself to never having another child, Pyers couldn’t bring himself to discipline her. On those occasions when Margaret was completely honest with herself, she admitted to an equal share of the blame. Jilly was such a joy, so spirited and wise, so dear and pretty and full of life, so different from Terrence, that it seemed cruel to curb her. Pyers was flying home tonight. Margaret wondered what he would do about Frankie. It would be a shame to lose an excellent kennel keeper like Peter Maguire because of Terrence’s cruel streak.
    Those were Pyers Fitzgerald’s precise comments to his wife after she told him of the incident. Rather than embarrass his son or Peter Maguire, he did what Pyers did best. He ignored the matter entirely, and, because he forgot it, he assumed that everyone else had as well.
    He was mistaken. Jilly didn’t forget, nor did Frankie or Terrence.
    The very next day, Jilly rested her arms on the ledge of the Dutch door and watched Guinevere lap up something that looked like pig slops from her bowl. Frankie was running his hands down every one of her legs but the bandaged one. “What are you doing?” she asked.
    â€œLookin’ for injuries,” he said without looking up.
    â€œThey said you might not be back.”
    His hair had fallen over his forehead, and he tossed it back impatiently. “Who said?”
    â€œMy father and Mum.”
    He shrugged. “My da needs the help just now. Besides, I’ve done nothin’ wrong.”
    Jilly smiled sunnily. “I told Mum that Terrence couldn’t chase you away.”
    Finished with his examination, Frankie sat back on a bale of hay, pulled out a straw, and chewed on it. “You’re not much like him, are you?”
    She shook her head. “My father was married to someone else before he married Mum. Terrence’s mother died. That’s why we don’t look alike.”
    Frankie took in the sun-streaked brown hair pulled away from her face in a single braid, the expressive ocean-colored eyes framed in feathery, gold-tipped lashes, and her delicate, heart-shaped face. His mouth twisted in amusement. “It’s not y’r looks that’s different.”
    â€œWhat, then?”
    He hadn’t planned on telling her what her nearly suicidal leap to his defense meant to him. Clearing his throat, he did the next best thing. “You’re a brave one for such a wee lass.”
    â€œNell says I’ve the Fitzgerald temper,” she said solemnly. “It makes me do dreadful things.”
    He nodded. “I know about that. I’ve a wee bit of a temper myself.”
    â€œIs that why you wouldn’t saddle Terrence’s horse?”
    â€œIt is.”
    Jilly climbed down from the door and opened it to step inside. “How is Gwenny?”
    â€œShe’ll be all sorted out in no time. Food and rest is what she needs.”
    â€œWhy does your father need help just now?”
    One black eyebrow quirked. “You’re a nosy lass.”
    Jilly flushed. “You don’t have to tell me.”
    Frankie stared at her burning cheeks for a long moment. “Don’t fret it, Jilly. Y’ meant no harm. My da’s joints act up in the rain. It takes longer for him t’ finish up.”
    â€œOh.” She thought a moment. “Maybe Nell and I could help him, too.”
    â€œWho is Nell?”
    â€œShe’s my friend.”
    â€œThat wouldn’t be a good idea.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    Frankie nodded in the direction of the house. “Y’r mother wouldn’t like it.”
    Jilly laughed. “Mum won’t mind. She lets me do anything I