Charity and the Churlish Captain (The Three Graces Book 2) by Nina Clare

Author:Nina Clare [Clare, Nina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: lost&foundStories
Published: 2023-12-21T16:00:00+00:00

21

At last, one of her romantic fantasies was coming true. Here was the Most Handsome Man in the World leading her to the floor. His hand rested lightly on her waist as they began the slow promenade. But she was too full of the bitter news that he and his brother would be gone from her life for many months to properly enjoy this moment.

‘I hear you and your brother leave tomorrow, Major,’ she said sadly. ‘This is a blow to your friends.’

‘Is it a blow to you, Miss Grace?

‘Of course.’

He threw a quick glance at her. Strange how alike he and the captain were when they had that serious look, though Captain Hart did not show it often.

He was looking ahead now. She traced the outline of his features, committing them to memory that she might recall them in the months of separation.

‘How long will you be gone?’

‘Impossible to say. I think this will be my last campaign.’

‘Why so? You are too young to retire.’

‘I shall sell out.’

‘I thought you loved military life. Your brother said so.’

‘I do. But my father is not in good health. The estate needs managing or it will soon be beyond repair. It is time for me to settle down.’

He looked down at her again. ‘I am thinking of marriage. Bringing life back to the old family home. Children about the place.’

Charity’s heart beat a little quicker. She searched his expression, confused by the cool, serious look in his eyes that contrasted with his words.

‘Marriage,’ said Charity, a little breathlessly. ‘How very grown up that sounds.’

‘You are young. Perhaps it is too soon for you to think of it?’

She felt a little light-headed. This was all exactly how she had imagined it. It was all she could do to keep walking in a courtly style, hoping the music would not quicken too soon, moving them into the next stage of the dance.

Love was a peculiar emotion, she thought, as they continued promenading. She felt a little giddy, but that was more from the surprise of it all than anything else. She did not feel as Flora McBride felt when she was with Hamish Sinclair. Flora always felt that she and Hamish were of one soul. Charity looked up again at the stern features of Major Hart and felt that there was a great distance between them, despite his professions of wishing to be married. Perhaps the soul connection sensation would come later.

The feeling that Major Hart was still something of a stranger to her, despite being frequently in his company, must surely go away in time. Flora McBride considered Hamish Sinclair her very best friend, and her true partner.

Charity recalled a line that she had particularly liked in the book: he was the warp to her weft that made a fine weave; he was the sunbeam to her raindrop that made a rainbow; he was the yeast to her flour that made a good loaf.

Prudence had called it weak, metaphorical fustian when Charity read it aloud to her, and Charity replied that she had not a poetical bone in her body.

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