What About Cecelia? Read Online Free

to live
inside. Does it?”
    George was about to agree when Cecelia came into
the room. “There you are Heulwen. I've been looking all over for
you.” The puppy ran over to her and she showered it with attention
while it showered her with wet and mud. “Isn't she cute? I'll give
her a basket in my room and she won't be any trouble to you.”
    “As long as you clean up her messes, I suppose
you can keep her there.”
    “Thank you. She'll grow up to be a fine smart
dog, just like her mother Caro. You won't regret this.”
    “I'm not sure that I don't already.”
    Jane studied Miss Wood playing with the dog. The
thought occurred to her that Cecelia was in many ways still just a
little girl. She didn't have the mature veneer of sophistication
that life in the city could have given her. This prompted her to
say, “Miss Wood, Cecelia, I cannot but feel we may have started off
on the wrong foot yesterday. I hope that you'll consider Penyclawdd
still your home as long as you need it.”
    Cecelia looked up from Heulwen and replied,
“Jane, thank you. That is very kind of you. I know my aunt was
worried about me living with her in Swansea. Besides, I knew you
were still fractious from a long and tedious trip.”
    Jane continued, “Captain Wood, are we not
planning to go Bath sometime in the next few weeks?”
    “Were we?”
    “I'm going to need to have a new gown for our
wedding, and while I'm sure Abergav, Aber-whatever, has
seamstresses, I'm also sure they aren't of the first stare.”
    George chuckled, “I see. Yes we should. It's not
fair that you miss all your favorite diversions. I suppose this is
a hint that we should invite Miss Wood to accompany us?”
    “That, and maybe we can do a little
husband-hunting for her.”
    “I suppose it could be nicer to be married, than
to live with my aunt.”
    Jane was shocked at the idea, “You do not want
to remain an old maid, do you?”
    “Why not? Unless I meet a man I could love, and
who would love me.”
    “You read too many novels Miss Wood.”
    “I don't just read novels, poetry too.”
    “Too much of that as well.”
    The rainy morning cleared and gave way to a fine
hot afternoon. Cecelia used the time to take Ionie for a short ride
and pronounced her manners much improved. In the late afternoon
tall lines of clouds built up over the black mountains in the
distance. The hot afternoon gave way to a suddenly cool evening.
The Captain, Miss Arnold and Miss Wood were enjoying a quiet cup of
tea after dinner, when the crash of thunder rent the air. The
Captain jumped up and yelled, “The French! They're here.” He
grabbed a poker from the fireplace and ran out into the storm.
    Jane gave Cecelia a stricken look, “What are we
to do? He gets like this when his memories of Badajoz are
triggered.”
    “Is that why you let him drink so much?”
    “Yes. It keeps his nightmares away.”
    Cecelia thought for a moment, then volunteered,
“Jane, you don't know the land around here. I do. See that
something warm is made ready for the captain so he doesn't catch a
chill. I'll saddle Ionie and look for him.”
    Jane wrung her hands with anxiety, but agreed
with Cecelia. There wasn't much else either of them could do.
    Cecelia found the groom, upstairs in the stable
and explained what she needed him to do. “Not Ionie. See how she's
bucking down there.” The stable shook as she crashed her hind feet
into the stall. “I'll saddle your old pony for you then come out
and look for him myself.”
    “No I'll take Ionie. I have to ride fast and go
cross country. She's a born hunter. We don't have any other horse
that could do it.”
    “Miss, no.”
    “Do it. Please. I can handle her.”
    Ionie calmed when Cecelia spoke to her, and they
were able to saddle her without difficulty. A few moments later,
Cecelia shot out of the yard. She called for Captain Wood at the
top of her voice.
    It didn't take her long to find him. He stood at
the base of Bal Mawr shouting to the winds about