The Captain's Return by Elizabeth Bailey

Author:Elizabeth Bailey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-10-02T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Annabel tried hard to be glad for Charlotte Filmer's sake. But it was difficult when her own situation was so very uncertain.

Her neighbour and friend had hurried over with the extraordinary tidings in a state of great excitement. Even the flurry of rain in the morning that had left the ground damp had not deterred her. She looked as if she could scarce sit still in the sofa she was occupying, and it was evident that she had barely been able to contain herself to ask after Rebecca, who was taking a nap as she did now and then in the afternoon.

It was indeed occasion for excitement. 'Athene is betrothed?' Annabel refrained from expressing her astonishment. 'That is happy news for you, Charlotte. Who is the man?'

'Nicholas Cameron,' announced Mrs Filmer proudly, twitching her petticoats. 'A gentleman, and a Scot. His cousin is the Earl of Kinloch.'

The recital of Mr Cameron's manifold attractions, together with the proposed plans of the engaged couple, took some time. It appeared that Athene was coming home, bringing her betrothed, before returning to London for the wedding. At the end, Annabel, having responded suitably, was moved to indulge in cynicism.

'A rare end to Athene's task of chaperoning the Tenison girl. How Mrs Tenison will be set down!'

Charlotte tutted. 'Now, Annabel, you know I was excessively grateful to Mrs Tenison for taking Athene to London.' Her pretty features grew a pink. 'But I must confess that it does give one a fillip to discover that one's despised position in the neighbourhood is to be reversed all at once.'

Annabel repressed an inclination to make a caustic reply, but could not forbear a flying glance at Hal, who had pulled round one of the dining-seats for himself, since Annabel had taken the armchair.

'It is certainly something' of a change.'

Her voice was taut, Hal noted. It was nothing new. She had been distinctly edgy these two days. Perhaps fortunately, business had taken him out for most of yesterday, and this woman's arrival this morning fortuitously intervened to keep at bay any possibility of a tête-à-tête. He had not joined in the conversation, beyond the requisite politenesses. But this must be nipped in the bud. It would not do for the visitor to divine the dissension between them. He spoke bluntly.

'Mrs Lett refers to her own recent experience.'

Annabel threw him a look that spoke volumes, but Charlotte Filmer had already picked up on it. She gave a breathless little laugh.

'Dear me, I had forgotten. I had no intention of reminding you of it, Annabel. Have you been much displeased by the talk?'

'It has not come much in my notice since the fete, I am happy to say. And Mrs Tenison has thankfully refrained from descending upon me.'

Determined to create an impression of harmony, Hal rose and came across to her chair, perching on the arm. 'But that, my love, is because I am only an army captain. I imagine Mrs Filmer's daughter, with an Earl attached to her betrothed—'

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