Tallie's Knight Read Online Free PDF

Worn for the
first time today, from the finest of London ’s
modistes, and costing the earth… Ruined! And why? Because a wicked boy brought
a filthy animal into a civilised gathering. Who gave you permission to leave
the nursery? I left the strictest orders. You will be punished for such
disobedience! And the animal is clearly dangerous! It must be shot at once!
Someone call for a groom—”
    The little boy’s face
paled further. His small body shook in fright at the venom in his mother’s
voice. His face puckered in fear and distress and he clutched the puppy tightly
to his chest. It whimpered and scrabbled for release.
    Magnus watched, tense
in a way he hadn’t been since he himself was a small boy. He fought the
sensation. His eyes darkened with sympathy and remembrance as he observed the
frightened child and his puppy. He felt for the boy, but it was not his place
to interfere with a mother disciplining her child. And anyway, he supposed it
was how it had to be. It was certainly how his own childhood had been.
    It would be hard for
the boy to lose his beloved pup, but it was probably better for Georgie that he
learn to toughen up now, rather than later. Pets were invariably used as
hostage to one’s good behaviour. Once the boy learnt not to care so much, his
life would be easier. Magnus had certainly found it so, although the learning
had been very hard. Three pets had died for his disobedience by the time he was
eight. The last a liquid-eyed setter bitch by the name of Polly.
    Polly, his constant
companion and his best friend. But Magnus had taken her out hunting one day
instead of finishing his Greek translations and his father had destroyed Polly
to teach his son a lesson in responsibility.
    Magnus had learned
his lesson well.
    By the age of eight
Magnus had learned not to become attached to pets.
    Or to anything else.
    “I am sorry for the
unfortunate accident, Cousin.”
    It was the shabby little
poor relation. Magnus watched as she interposed her body between the cowering
small boy and his infuriated mother, her calm voice a contrast to Laetitia’s
high-pitched ranting.
    “You are sorry?”
Laetitia continued. “Yes, I’ll make sure of that! The children are in your
charge, so how was it that this child was allowed to escape from the nursery? I
gave strict instructions…”
    Magnus leaned back
against a large stone urn, folded his arms and coolly observed the scene. He
noted the way the dowdy little cousin used her body to shield the child,
protecting him from his own mother.
    It was an interesting
manoeuvre —for a poor relation.
    The little boy
pressed into her skirts, the muddy pup still in his arms. Magnus watched as the
girl’s hand came to rest unobtrusively on the nape of the child’s neck. She
stroked him with small, soothing movements. Magnus noticed the little boy relax
under her ministrations, saw his shivers die away. After a few moments Georgie leaned
trustfully into the curve of her hip, resting his head against her. She held
him more fully against her body, all the time keeping her cousin’s rage focused
on herself. Her words were apologetic, her body subtly defiant.
    Fascinating, thought
Magnus. Did the girl not realise what she risked by defying her cousin? And all
to protect a child who was not even her own.
    “The accident was my
fault, Cousin,” she said. “You must not be angry with poor Georgie, here, for
he had my permission to be out of the nursery—”
    The little boy’s
start of surprise was not lost on Magnus.
    “And I am sorry for
the soiling of your gown. However, I cannot allow you to have the puppy
destroyed—”
    “You? You cannot—”
spluttered Laetitia.
    “No, for the pup
belongs neither to Georgie nor to you.”
    The child stared up
at the girl. Her hand soothed him, and she continued.
    “The pup is mine. He…
it was a gift from… from the Rector, and I cannot allow you to destroy a gift
because of a little high spirits…”
    “You cannot