Logic of the Heart by Patricia Veryan

Author:Patricia Veryan
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781250101310
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

11

Entering the house by the rear door, soaked, and aching with tiredness, Susan was rushed at and embraced by an elated Edwina Starr. “Oh, my love, you are safe home! At last!”

“Yes, thank goodness!” Susan allowed the little lady to appropriate the worn valise she carried, and began to unbutton her heavy greatcoat.

Mrs. Starr scolded fondly, “You should have let Deemer bring this heavy bag up for you.”

“Andy appropriated the poor man the instant he showed his face at the dock. Is all well? Where is Priscilla? How is Montclair?”

“All is well. Or very nearly,” said Mrs. Starr in a low urgent voice as they walked along the passage together. “Priscilla is outside, and—” They had reached the long windows looking out onto the garden court behind the house, and the light of this dull morning fell fully upon Susan’s face. Shocked, Mrs. Starr exclaimed, “How sunburned you are! My poor child—we must cover your face with cucumber tonight! Oh, you should never have gone! It has been too much for you!”

“You know it really takes three to manage the barge, Starry, and with Montclair so ill I felt the Bo’sun must stay here.”

“Well, he is much better, heaven be praised. No—trouble…?”

“None. Save that we were delayed by a gale and had to ride at anchor off Clovelly for two miserable days.” Starting up the stairs, Susan pulled back her shoulders and said brightly, “But thanks to Monsieur Monteil we’ve a full cargo. The men will be busy.”

“And what of the monsieur? Did he come smoothing around you, dear ma’am? Oh, how I mistrust that man!”

“No, but we must be grateful to the gentleman, for he has been more than good.” There came the recollection of Monsieur Monteil’s ardent glances, the touch of that soft white hand on hers as they had stood on the windy Devonshire beach, and Susan struggled to restrain a shiver. “I’ll own he is not exceeding attractive, but—”

“Attractive! ’Tis not his looks, but his looks I dislike!”

Susan chuckled. “Oh, Starry, you wretch, you must not speak of him so. Andy thinks the world of him, and likely I have misjudged the gentleman. He was the very soul of courtesy—so kind and all consideration towards me. Besides, only think how these consignments help us. Andy says if it keeps up—”

A sudden shrill outburst sent both women’s glances to the head of the stairs. Susan gave a gasp of fright. “The Trents? Heavens! Do they visit him often? Have they brought his affianced?”

“This is the first time they’ve showed their noses since they browbeat you into letting Montclair stay here!”

“Good gracious!”

“Just so! And as for Miss Trent,” the little woman sniffed disparagingly, “her ladyship likely judges this an unfit atmosphere for her pure daughter. But I judge it most odd. One would suppose a newly engaged girl should brave any atmosphere to be at the side of her betrothed when he is in such straits.”

“I think all at Longhills ‘most odd,’” said Susan with a sigh. “Only listen to her.

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