The Captain's Lady (Regency House Party: Havencrest Book 4) by Sara Cardon

Author:Sara Cardon [Cardon, Sara]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2019-07-22T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Jack pulled up the collar of his tarpaulin coat, grateful for the waterproof material. The rain came down in sheets as they waited for the mail coach near the King’s Crown. Miss Brook stood a pace away, beneath the heavy oilskin umbrella held by one of the Garveys’ footmen.

“This should see you through your journey, Mrs. Caddy. Are you clear on the directions to your friends?” She pressed an envelope into Mrs. Caddy’s hand.

“Aye. An’ the Merricks are fine people. They’ll see ter my needs while I’m there. I can’ thank you enough for helpin’ me ter see my boy.” Mrs. Caddy’s nose was pink, probably from the wet, cool weather. She turned her brimming eyes on him. “I’m grateful to yeh too, Captain Sharpe. My John always spoke well of yeh. Said yeh were a fair captain an’ a fine leader. That yeh were the hardest worker on board. Thank you for everythin’ yeh’ve done for me an’ my John.”

Jack nodded, though he didn’t deserve her praise. Not when he’d inadvertently caused her son’s likely death. The rain soaking his outerwear weighed his shoulders down.

“Your John is one of the best maintop captains I’ve known, and he’s a fine man. It’s my pleasure to aid you, Mrs. Caddy, in some small way.” His voice petered out, losing its power to speak over the beating of the rain. The lump in his throat was impossible to swallow.

He couldn’t seem to affect the current course of events. His efforts to find someone who could persuade the gentleman captains and admirals had been unsuccessful. None of his connections in the gentry or politics had shown the least interest. His hope to use Ludlow’s connections with the people at the Garvey’s house party, including Mr. Garvey and Admiral Cartwright, had failed. He’d failed. Jack pulled his hat low, water rushing in rivulets down its brim.

“Godspeed, Mrs. Caddy. We will be praying for you and your son.” Miss Brook and the footman walked Mrs. Caddy to the mail coach and saw her deposited inside. Miss Brook waved as the carriage splashed down Ditching Road and then brought her gloved hand to her mouth before it was enveloped in the haze.

Miss Brook pivoted to walk back, the footman keeping her covered. Her eyes sought his, and his heart squeezed at the sight of her pink cheeks and nose.

The footman brought her under the eaves of the King’s Crown. “I’ll go let the carriage driver know you are ready to return to Havencrest, ma’am.”

“Thank you,” she replied. She beckoned Jack closer. “Watch out for the runoff from the roof and that waterspout. There is room enough for the both of us, Captain Sharpe.”

Jack stepped beside her, his shoulder brushing her pelisse.

“Mrs. Caddy thinks the world of you,” she said, turning her wide eyes up to his. Her bonnet’s ribbon was slightly askew under her chin.

He looked away, guilt gnawing a hole in his stomach. “I don’t deserve it. Her son’s life is in jeopardy because of me.

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