The Folly Read Online Free PDF Page B

face to the sun, allowing its rays to warm her face for just a moment.  Ladies weren’t supposed to ever expose themselves to the sun, keeping their complexions white and pallid . Elizabeth sighed as she retreated back into the shadow of her straw bonnet , wishing she could take it off altogether .  She was glad she came out early since the day promised to be hot , and she was already perspiring in her thin gown of sprigged muslin.  She mixed several shades of blue until she finally matched the exact color of the sky and began to paint.  She didn’t think herself particularly good, but it gave her something to do , and she found some satisfaction in creating a picture where only white paper had been before. 
    Elizabeth wondered where Captain Flynn was this morning.  He ’ d been at Flynn Manor for a few days now, but she rarely saw him.  He joined her at meals, but seemed to spend the rest of his time on his own.  The c aptain was polite and charming when dining with her, but she noticed that his eyes turned awfully sad when no one was looking , and he seemed melancholy and listless.  She supposed it must be hard to adjust to civilian life after spending so many years in the military .  He didn’t seem very eager to see his father , making Elizabeth wonder what their relationship had been before he left. 
    She couldn’t see any traces of her husband in Jeremy , and assumed he favored his mother in looks.  There had been a portrait of Mariah Flynn hanging in the drawing room, but Sir Henry had it removed to one of the bedrooms after they were wed , assuming his new bride would not want to have a portrait of his former wife always looking down on her, but she didn’t mind.  The poor woman was dead , and it might be nice for her son to have a reminder of his mother. 
    Elizabeth’s thoughts were interrupted by the sight of Captain Flynn striding toward her across the lawn.  He looked a lot less intimidating in his civilian clothes , making him appear younger than she originally thought. 
    “Good morning, Lady Elizabeth.  Beautiful day.”
    “Good morning, Captain.  It is , indeed.  Are you out for a walk?”
    “I was going down to the sea and saw you painting out here.  May I see?”  Elizabeth nodded, feeling suddenly self-conscious.  Henry never asked to see what she painted , and she kept all her drawings locked in a desk drawer, away from prying eyes. 
    “You ’ re very talented.  Do you ever work in oils or just watercolors?”
    “Just watercolors.  Oils are so messy.  I really like this view.  I must have painted it a dozen times,” replied Elizabeth shyly. 
    “I can see why.  There is something romantic and melancholy about that folly, isn’t there?  It’s a place made for secrets and assignations.”  Elizabeth looked up at the c aptain to see if he was teasing her.  A smile played about his lips , and she couldn’t help smiling back, a little sadly.
    “If any romantic assignations take place at our folly, I am not privy to them.  No one ever comes here, but me.”
    “My mother used to love the place.  She came here frequently when I was a boy.  If I needed to fin d her, I usually check ed the folly first.  She liked to read poetry there.”   Jeremy tore his gaze away from the marble temple and turned back to Elizabeth. 
    “Can I convince you to walk down to the sea or would you rather continue with your painting ?”  Elizabeth loved the sea, but she never went walking there.  Walking alone on the pebbly beach made her feel small and alone and she found herself avoiding the place, preferring to stay on the estate grounds. 
    “Thank you.  I ’ d love to walk down to the sea with you , Captain .”  Elizabeth put away her paints and adjusted her bonnet, taking the c aptain’s arm.  “Shall we?”
    “On one condition, ” he smiled down at her surprised face.  “You will kindly refrain from calling me “ Captain ” .  I know it might be considered