Read The Folly for Free Online

improper by some, but since you are my stepmother, I think it would not be beyond the bounds of propriety if you just called me Jeremy.”
    “I don’t think your father would approve,” protested Elizabeth.
    “No, I don’t suppose he would, but then you leave me no choice but to call you “ Stepmama . ”   He looked down at her with mock seriousness and Elizabeth stifled a giggle.  The idea of him calling her “ Stepmama ” was ridiculous, especially since he was at least a decade older than her, so she was forced to relent.
    “All right, Jeremy, but I must refer to you as Captain Flynn in front of others.  Do we have a deal?”
    “Indeed we do ,” he replied with an impish grin .  Shall we walk?” He gave her his arm and she took it shyly , not looking up at him.
    Elizabeth and Jeremy walked across the sloping lawn toward the path that led down to the beach.  The air was slightly cooler here and Elizabeth could hear the waves crashing against the shore below , and the mournful cries of seagulls circling overhead .  She loved the briny smell of the sea and took a deep breath, filling her lungs , suddenly happy. 
    It had been a long time since she ’d come here , and she enjoyed the solid feel of Jeremy’s arm as she held on to him going down the steep , overgrown path.  She kept her eyes on her feet, afraid to trip on the gnarled roots that hid among the bracken, ready to trip her at any moment.  When th ey finally reached the bottom , Jeremy let go of her arm as Elizabeth walked towards the shore, stopping just short of the rolling waves.  She longed to take off her shoes and run into the water.  It would be so wonderful to feel the surf washing over her feet, cooling and pure. 
    Elizabeth looked up in surprise as Jeremy pulled off his boots and began to roll up his trousers.  “I dare you,” he said with a grin.  “Come on, S tepmama .” 
    Elizabeth looked around, but there was no one in sight , and what if the re were ?   She kicked off her slippers and turned away from Jeremy to remove her silk stockings, which she rolled carefully and laid on the ground next to her shoes.  Elizabeth lifted the skirt of her muslin frock , walking gingerly toward the water’s edge.  As t he cool water swirled around her ankles , she closed her eyes in bliss, wishing she could go in further.   Elizabeth kirtled up her skirt and walked with Jeremy along the beach, occasionally stopping to pick up a shell or a nice, round stone.  Looking over the water sparkling in the June sunshine, it was difficult to tell where the sea ended and the sky began.  The vista was an endless expanse of blue sky and shimmering sea, with only the outline of a distant ship visible in the distance to mar the perfection of the scene .   Elizabeth looked up at Jeremy to find him staring out over the sea lost in thought.
    “Jeremy, I know it’s none of my business, but you seem so sad.”  She wanted him to confide in her , and she looked up at him wanting him to know that she wasn’t just prying.  She genuinely wanted to help.
    “I suppose I am a little melancholy , but it’s not a fit conversation for a lady.”   He picked up a luminous, pink shell and held it out to her.
    “I ’ m not a lady.  I ’ m your s tepmother.”  He laughed at that, showing the adorable dimples that she hadn’t noticed until that moment. 
    “All right, Mama.  I suppose I feel a little lost.  I ’ ve been part of one institution or another since I was seven years old.  First, I was away at school , then I spent ten years in the army.  It’s a lonely life, but there is structure and camaraderie of sorts.  For the first time in my life , I am not being told what to do or where to go , and it feels strange.”  He shrugged and threw a pebble into the foaming sea.
    “Did you have many friends in the army?”
    “ The a rmy isn ’ t a place to make friends.  I came in as an officer at eighteen , and had to command men who were