Peter Loon by Van Reid

Author:Van Reid
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781608935314
Publisher: Down East Books

15

Concerning New Visitors to Captain Clayden and Their Opinions

SOME EXCITEMENT GREETED THE YOUNG CLAYDENS AND THEIR guests upon their return, for as they neared the house, half a dozen horsemen entered the yard at a near gallop, to the accompaniment of the family’s dogs, which bayed and barked. The riders were all well-dressed men in fine clothes and broad capes and polished boots, and one wore a sword at his side. Four of them wore wigs beneath their hats, and the others–younger men–wore their hair pulled back in a simple queue.

One of these younger men–a tall, broad shouldered Hector–broke away from his fellows to greet the Clayden ladies and James. He bowed over the young women’s hands as they received him, and even the practical Emily appeared pleased by his attention. Martha, however, he saved for last, and he lingered with her, and affected such a degree of tenderness over this particular greeting that it could not be missed if a man had only his ears to serve him. Her round pretty face blushed to see him, and she fairly glowed to have him lean close to her as he asked after her health and that of her family in Falmouth.

“We’re all quite well, thank you for asking, Mr. Kavanagh,” she beamed. She was not a short woman, but she appeared dainty beside him.

Mr. Kavanagh flashed a look of slight interest in the direction of Peter, and another of slightly more interest toward the slender figure of Nora Tillage.

“Sir,” said Martha, with smooth formality, “may I introduce Mr. Peter Loon. Mr. Loon, may I introduce Mr. Edward Kavanagh.”

“I am pleased to know any friend of the Claydens, Mr. Loon,” said Mr. Kavanagh. He put his broad hand out and gripped Peter’s firmly.

Peter felt great physical power in the grip. “Yes,” he said, daunted by the man’s presence and energy, and still shaken by his recent experience with Nora by the shore. “Thank you. I too.”

When Nora was introduced to the man, he greeted her with more formality, though with all his charm and gallantry at full tilt; the result was that she could hardly speak to him. Charm or no charm, Emily must have thought this enough, for she stepped up to rescue Nora, asking Mr. Kavanagh when she could expect to ride his horse Malborough. The man laughed and declared it would be worth his life if the Captain caught him letting her ride such an animal. Emily pretended a comic disgust with him, but the thing was neatly done and Kavanagh turned his bright light from Nora back to Martha, who was quite prepared for it.

During all this courtliness, the gentlemen with whom Kavanagh arrived were instructing Ebulon Magnamous how to tend their animals, and Ebulon, who may have known more about horses than all of them put together, dutifully nodded his head and accepted these mandates with grace.

“Edward,” called one of these men–an older fellow, whose florid complexion contrasted unflatteringly with the snow white of his wig.

“I will see you before we leave,” said Mr.

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