Bride of a Distant Isle by Sandra Byrd

Author:Sandra Byrd
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Howard Books

CHAPTER TWENTY

The next afternoon found me recovering in the conservatory, reading books I’d taken down from the library shelves. I’d left a small watercolor I’d done of Pennington, wrapped in brown paper, near the door; it was one I had hoped to give to Elizabeth the night before but then, due to the circumstances, had been unable. Watts would see it sent along to her.

I had fully recovered from the inconveniences of the previous night and was enjoying the afternoon sun slanting through the freshly cleaned windows. Mrs. Watts had hired additional staff to tend to Highcliffe now that it looked as though the house would not be sold; dust sheets were being removed rather than added, and the packing of rooms had stopped.

Shortly after tea, Watts came into the room and announced that Captain Dell’Acqua had come to call.

Clementine stood up. “He is not expected.”

“Shall I tell him you are not in?” Watts asked.

“No, I shall speak with him.” Clementine straightened her dress and made her way to the hall. Within five minutes she returned—Captain Dell’Acqua in tow!

“The captain says his man had confused the days and hours he was to meet at Winchester and then the ropewalks.”

Dell’Acqua, beside her, lifted up his hands as if to gesture, what to do? But I saw the glint in his eye. There had been no mix-up.

“I wondered, therefore, if Mrs. Everedge would allow you to progress with a lesson on English culture,” he said, looking at me. Then he turned toward her. “Your husband thought it was a splendid idea for me to become more comfortable with local ideas.”

Clementine was fighting fatigue, I knew. This was normally the time when she would take a short afternoon nap, but she could not afford to put off the captain and she could not leave me unchaperoned.

“Perhaps we could stroll outside,” I offered. “We could make our way toward the ropewalks, where we’re sure to meet up with Edward. Watts might set up a chaise lounge for you to recline upon and watch as the captain and I walk.”

She reluctantly agreed and we made our way down the path and toward the ropewalks, which were not far away.

“It was good of Clemmy to allow this,” Marco offered with a tease.

I grinned. “It was not considerate of you to show up unannounced. I would have prepared differently . . .” Oh dear. Now he’d know I would have preened for him. I expected him to make a tease of that, but he did not.

“You are perfect as you are,” he said. “Always.” He did not seem to be trifling with me. His simple pronouncements, in stark contrast to the ornate offerings of other men, never failed to move me. “Are you quite well today?” Concern showed on his face. “I was most anxious all evening.”

“I am not certain what happened,” I began, because it was true that I was not certain, and I could not make unfounded accusations, nor was I sure that, even if I were certain, I should tell him.

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