What About Cecelia? Read Online Free Page A

the French. He
waved his poker like it was a saber and waited for his men to
follow him. If any of the ghosts of his regiment followed him, it
was only in his mind. His men remained in their quiet anonymous
graves on the outskirts of Badajoz.
    Seeing Cecelia on horseback, he shouted, “The
Cuirassiers! Men form a square and prepare to fire.”
    “Captain Wood, George! It's me! Your cousin
Cecelia. You're safe, in Wales, home.”
    “They've got Cecelia! Charge.”
    With Cecelia steadying her, Ionie could stand
thunder and lightning mixed with the occasional burst of rain or
hail. She couldn't abide the addition of a crazy man shouting at
her and charging at her with a poker. She bucked and threw Cecelia
to the muddy ground. Then she bolted for shelter.
    George watched the horse retreat, shouted
“Hurrah, see how they run!” Then he noticed Cecelia lying there on
the ground. “You're wounded.”
    Cecelia moaned, then started to rise, and
collapsed. He continued, “We can't leave a wounded man behind.
Either the guerillos or the French will finish him off.” Picking
her up, he continued, “You're light for a soldier Private Weeks.
I'll get you to the hospital.” With that he carried Cecelia back to
Penyclawdd.
    Cecelia awoke the next morning in her room. Her
head hurt and she was achy all over. Miss Arnold was sitting in a
chair and watching her from a corner. When Cecelia stirred, she put
down her book and walked over to the bed.
    “We've had the apothecary visit. He said that
you would probably recover. If you woke up, he said to make you
drink this.” She handed Cecelia a vile potion and helped her to
drink some of it. When Cecelia finally stopped gagging, she
continued, “Miss Wood, I don't know how to thank you enough for
last night. Captain Wood is home, and safe because of you.”
    Cecelia asked Jane, “You really do love him,
don't you?”
    “I care for him.”
    “That's why you're so strict, isn't it?”
    “He needs order to recover. I try to give him
that order.”
    “Miss Arnold?”
    “Yes?”
    “Can I help you? You know I'm good at training
animals and.”
    Jane smiled and almost laughed, “Are you
implying that my beloved is an animal?”
    Cecelia blushed with embarrassment, “No, not
that.”
    “It's alright, men are animals and they all need
taming.” There was a scratching at the door and she continued,
“Speaking of animals. George, you can come in.”
    The door opened and Heulwen sprung forth and
landed on Cecelia's bed. Captain Wood followed, “She's been whining
about being away from you all evening and morning. I just took her
for a walk and came to see how you are doing.”
    “Achy, and my head hurts.”
    “I'm glad you're awake. I'm sorry about last
night. With the thunder I was beside myself.”
    “It wasn't your fault.”
    “I don't know about that. It was just so real,
so sudden.”
    Meadows quietly appeared beside Captain Wood.
“Sir, Mr. Landor has arrived. He would appreciate a word. I have
left him in the front parlor awaiting your pleasure.”
    There was a scuffling noise outside the door and
Mr. Landor could be heard.
    “No you haven't! What's ceremony among friends?
That blasted horse, Ionie, showed up at my stables this morning. Is
Miss Wood well?” He peaked around the door jamb and waved at her.
“I see she's alive, at least. What happened last night?”
    “Miss Wood went to find me, when I had run out
into the rain. I thought I was in Spain again, at the siege of
Badajoz.”
    “She did? Intrepid lass. Good for her.”
    “I could have killed her with that poker.”
    Jane's authoritarian streak came into its own.
She hustled the two men out of the door. “Miss Wood needs some time
to recover and get presentable. Please go downstairs. If she's well
enough, she'll join you after she is dressed properly.”
    Heulwin barked in support until Jane glared at
her. “Would you take that dog with you? While Miss Wood clearly
enjoys her company, she will be a