‘Beautiful?’ queried Eleanor sceptically.
‘Beautiful,’ Edward repeated firmly, ‘don’t interrupt. Princess Nell was kind, warmhearted and as beautiful in spirit as she was in looks. One day she became involved with a huge, slimy toad who conned her into kissing him. Lo and behold, the toad turned into a tall, dark—fairly handsome—prince, who kissed her hand, like this,’ and Edward gently put his lips to her palm.
‘Very nice,’ said Eleanor, with full approval.
‘Of course, they fell in love,’ went on Edward, ‘as all good princes and princesses do, and lived happily ever after.’
Eleanor stood contentedly in his arms. She was glad of the cramp in her leg—it was a reassuring, everyday sort of thing, showing her that she wasn’t dreaming, that the arms holding her so possessively were real.
‘May I look inside now?’ she asked, and gently raised the lid. Sitting squat in the middle of the box, resting his large fat body on a bed of leaves and grass, sat a splendid toad. ‘Oh, my goodness,’ she gasped, ‘what a beauty!’
The ‘beauty’ gave a huge leap for freedom and the next few minutes were chaotic, reducing Eleanor into paroxysms of helpless laughter, tears streaming down her face. Edward’s reaction was a mixture of oaths and commands, and when they finally recaptured Mr. Toad, he was put back into the box and the lid was replaced firmly.
Breathing heavily, Edward eyed her narrowly. ‘A fat lot of good you were, woman,’ and he burst out laughing, brushing down his clothing ruefully. ‘His name is Edward, by the way.’
‘Of course it is,’ agreed Eleanor, adding thoughtfully, ‘I don’t think it would be any good if I kissed him. You see, I’m not a real princess and I’m already spoken for, we’ve had our transformation scene.’
‘Poor old toad,’ said Edward, looking down at her, his eyes warm with love. ‘Doomed to being a toad for the rest of his life. Ah, well, he probably has a wife and family waiting for him. Dorothea will have to return him to his pond ... and this sounds like her coming now,’ he continued, with resignation in his voice. ‘I suppose we should be grateful she’s left us alone this long,’ and the door burst open and Dodie’s sturdy figure came charging in, Lass bouncing at her side. She stopped short at the sight of them and wrinkled her nose. ‘It’s quite usual,’ Edward asserted, rather apologetically, retaining his arms round Eleanor.
‘I know that—Kate and Guy were doing it all the time,’ Dodie acknowledged with philosophical acceptance.
‘We promise we won’t do it all the time,’ he replied soothingly, and Eleanor choked back a laugh.
‘Do come on, you two,’ Dodie urged. ‘It’s time the newlyweds are off, and I do so want you to give me a ride in the Jensen, Edward. So that all my friends can see me.’ Edward gave an exaggerated sigh. ‘Very well, brat. But first of all I want you to do something for me.’
‘Hmm...?’ Dodie’s eyes had been drawn to the box. ‘Have you still got him?’ she asked with interest.
‘Only just. We want you to put him back, please,’ Edward told her, lips twitching as he saw the outraged expression appear on Dodie’s face.
‘Put him back?’ she blurted out in disbelief. ‘In the same place?’
‘Yes,’ said Eleanor, striving to keep her voice even, her shoulders beginning to shake.
‘Do you two realise just what tremendous trouble you’ve got me into?’ her sister demanded, voice rising indignantly. ‘Father caught me all muddied up and...’ Words failed her for a few seconds, and then, mustering her second wind, she managed: ‘Hell’s bells—you want me to put him back?’
‘In the same place,’ repeated Edward, with unimpaired amiability.
There was a pregnant silence and finally Dodie took up the box with deep mistrust and uttered: ‘I’m never going to fall in love! It sends folk daft!’ and giving the offending pair a withering look she stalked out of the room.
‘She could well be right,’ mused Edward, turning Eleanor to him, his eyes searching her face. ‘All I know is, I’m reet daft about you, luv.’
‘I won’t fratch with that,’ responded Eleanor, eyes shining. ‘Eh, lad, happen you’ve picked up t’accent a rare treat! Aye, we’ll be champion.’
‘Champion,’ Edward promised, sealing his agreement with a kiss.
A shout from the garden made them look guiltily through the windows at the girl and the dog waiting for them at the gate.
‘I’m afraid we’ve gone down in Dodie’s estimation,’ Eleanor said with a grin.
‘I’m afraid so, my love,’ and Edward smiled his devastating smile. ‘Never mind, we have a long time ahead of us to put things right,’ and his brows raised in silent question.
‘Happen we have,’ agreed Eleanor happily, and together they walked out into the April sunshine.
Country Cousin Page 21
