The Captain's Woman by Holly Bush

Author:Holly Bush [Bush, Holly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Holly Bush

CHAPTER 11

“I am so glad that you have joined us for dinner, Miss Thompson,” Ann said as she spread her napkin on her lap. “Papa and I eat at the little table near the kitchen when he is home, but when he is not home, I eat in the kitchen with Mrs. Brewer, the cook, while she bakes bread or makes soup for the next day. This is my first time eating in the dining room, is it not, Papa?”

“I am very glad to join you,” Muireall said and glanced at Anthony. Sarah, the maid, and Mrs. Smithy were carrying in platters and helped to serve each of them.

“Thank you, Sarah,” Ann said with a smile to the shy maid, who curtsied before hurrying back to the kitchen.

Mrs. Smithy sighed and glanced at Anthony. “She’s only been in America for a few months, sir, and worked in some lord’s country home in England. I’ve told her we don’t curtsy here, but I think she forgets.”

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Smithy. She’ll get accustomed to our ways, and there’s no harm until she does,” Anthony said.

“Thank you, Mr. Marcus. I’ll tell her you said that. It might make her less anxious.” She glanced at the platters. “I’ll be back to check on you in a bit, sir.”

Anthony waited until the door closed behind the housekeeper. “Would you like to say grace, Ann?”

She closed her eyes and folded her hands in front of her. “Thank you for our meal and for our home and my new school. Thank you, dear Lord, for my Papa and for Miss Thompson too. Amen.”

“Before we begin, Miss Thompson and I would like to speak to you,” he said as Ann picked up her fork and knife. She laid them down carefully and looked at them both.

Her voice shook when she spoke. “What is it, Papa? Has something happened? Do we have to leave here?” she whispered.

Anthony smiled and pushed his chair back. “Come here, daughter. This is not bad news. We’ve had plenty of bad news in the past, haven’t we?” he said as she climbed into his lap. He wrapped his arms about her. “This is very good news. Miss Thompson has agreed to marry me.”

Ann covered her mouth with her hands, glanced over her shoulder at Muireall, and then hugged him tight. Muireall could see her shoulders shaking as she pressed her face into her father’s shoulder.

“Ann, darling. What is it? Tell me.”

“There is nothing wrong, Papa. I am just so . . . happy. I’ve dreamed of it.”

“Of Miss Thompson marrying your old Papa?”

Ann nodded and climbed down from her father’s lap. She hurried to Muireall and stopped abruptly just a few feet away. Muireall pushed back her chair and opened her arms. Ann rushed to her, and then they were both crying and hugging each other.

Muireall had had concerns that a young girl who’d gone through as much turmoil as Ann had might resent Muireall for taking away her beloved father, even though that would never occur.

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