None But You (Frederick Wentworth, Captain: Book 1) by Susan Kaye

Author:Susan Kaye
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Historical Fiction
ISBN: 9780972852944
Publisher: Wytherngate Press
Published: 2007-01-30T16:00:00+00:00

“So, Captain, are you interested in thinning my pheasant population?” the elder Musgrove asked.

“Certainly, sir. I should enjoy that above all things.” The musical entertainments were finished and they were gathered around the refreshment table. “As long as your offer of a weapon still stands.”

Musgrove thought a moment. “Now that I think about it, the Beresford is a bit heavy for pheasants. But not to worry, let me think—”

“If it is a gun you are in need of, Captain, I am sure Charles could loan you one of his.” Mrs. Charles looked to her husband. “He has ever so many gathering dust all over the house.”

Again a silence seemed to fall over the small group. This silence he understood perfectly. In offering him one of her husband’s guns, Mrs. Charles exposed her husband as a man who was loath to have another touch his weapons. Wentworth was certain Musgrove was as conscientious a husband and father as any man, but when it came to his collection of guns, all measures to protect them from the hands of Philistines were employed.

“That is a very kind offer, ma’am, but I have no scruple in using the heavier weapon—”

“No, Captain,” Charles said, putting down his glass a bit hard. “I have the perfect double-barrelled and there is no reason you should not use it. In fact, come to the Cottage for breakfast, look ’em all over and take your pick.” A curt nod said he was pleased with his generous offer. His wife smiled and made assurances he would be quite welcome to share their table in the morning.

The Cottage was a little out of the way to the best hunting, but the Captain was interested in looking over Musgrove’s collection. Breaking his fast with them seemed the perfect way to kill two birds with one stone. The private quip brought a smile but, as he was about to accept, the spectre of Anne Elliot rose in his mind. He was not sure sitting down to a genial pre-hunt breakfast with the woman who broke his heart a desirable beginning to a day of shooting.

Before he could voice a doubt, Mrs. Musgrove interrupted: “I think it would be best if you were to come an’ dine in the morning with us, sir. The Cottage is in a bit of a jumble these days, I think.” A careful glance at Mary came from her mother-in-law.

“Aye, with the boy on the mend in the sitting room and all, it would be better, I think, to come here—you too, Charles—and dine at the Great House,” said the older man.

“But I am perfectly able to see to a guest even when taking care of little Charles. I can wake him early and see that he has his breakfast before the rest of the house is stirring—” Mrs. Charles explained.

Looks were flying between little Charles’s aunts and his grandmother. Wentworth felt a bit guilty that the situation was working so much to his benefit. The child’s health and

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