“But…” Her son gave her a plaintive look.
“No ‘but’s,’” she added and turned toward Richard. “You—come with me.” When the dogs made to follow Richard as well, she turned on them, pointing a finger. “You two go with Thomas and Nicholas. You’ve been spoiled quite enough this morning.” Fleur gave Richard a fleeting sorrowful look and hung her head before turning and trotting behind Max and Thomas to their fate in the kitchen.
Richard nearly groaned aloud. She required a private conversation behind closed doors. Wanting this woman with no hope of returned affection was going to kill him.No more kisses,he vowed, and fell in behind her. She must have been in the kitchen all morning while he was down at the shore with Nicholas and dogs, because as she strode ahead of him, clouds of cinnamon and anise scents trailed behind her. Like a rare treat on Christmas morning.
Once Harrietand Lieutenant Bourne were seated with the tea service, there was a tap at the door. “Come.”
“Captain Thorne,” Carrick intoned, and her neighbor slipped inside to join them.
She poured a third cup and handed him a plate of tiny ham sandwiches. Bourne already had his plate piled high.
“Good to see you again,” He rose and greeted his old commander. Once they were both seated, the two men looked toward her with quizzical expressions.
“I’m so glad you came over to answer my note in person, Captain.”
“Of course.” The older man brushed at a piece of lint on his trousers and leaned closer to Harriet. “Have you told Lieutenant Bourne yet?”
“Told me what?” Richard returned the sandwich he was about to devour to his plate.
“My cousin has returned to Bocollyn House early, and he’ll be here by the end of the week. Since you will need to vacate the duke’s chambers, I’ve asked Captain Thorne to let you finish your recuperation at Rose Cottage.”
Richard stood suddenly. “That won’t be necessary. I can return to my ship in the harbor this afternoon. I don’t want to inconvenience you, Lady Blandford, or Captain Thorne, any longer. I’ve suffered greater injuries over the years and kept on fighting after the surgeon patched me up. No need for any further cosseting.”
“Sit down,” the older man ordered. “Of course, you’re welcome at Rose Cottage for as long as you like.”
Harriet shushed the lieutenant by raising her hand. “You are certainly not an inconvenience. The help you’ve given Nicholas has been invaluable. Please stay on nearby, as long as your captain can spare you?”
“I haven’t had proper company in months. Would do an old salt good to have a young marine in the house. Many’s the time I thanked the stars a sturdy one of your lot stood outside my cabin door when the men were acting like a bunch of blue devils.” Thorne took a pipe from his jacket pocket and fiddled with a pouch of tobacco. “It’s settled then. You’ll come with me. I brought the cart and Bert so we can take whatever belongings you have.”
“Bert?” Harriet gave him a long look. “Have you hired a houseman? Why don’t you have him go round to the kitchen so that Cook can give him some tea?”
“No need, Milady. Bert and I have been through a lot together—he never complains or requires tea. He’s a trek donkey I rescued the last time we transported a regiment. They were in a hurry and took only what they couldn’t do without. They left Bert behind and told us we could use him for meat. Bert thought that was a bad idea, so I brought him back to Rose Cottage with me.”
At that moment, a commotion outside the sitting room window brought them to their feet. Wild barking and braying mixed with a child’s excited shouts and Thomas’s firm entreaties.
Harriet jumped to her feet and raced to the window. Lieutenant Bourne and Captain Thorne followed behind. “God save us all. I’m so sorry, William…”
He gave her a broad grin and patted her on her shoulder. “No harm done. Bert likes company. He can hold his own.”
“And you, Lieutenant Bourne, you will probably be so happy to regain your ship and leave my wild family behind.”
The captain had moved closer to the window to observe Bert’s reactions while the lieutenant had stayed behind. He did not comment on her apology, but instead, moved suddenly closer and rubbed his rough, calloused fingers across the knuckles of her hand closest to him.
She jerked away as if burned, and moved near the window and told herself it was to satisfy herself no actual physical mayhem had occurred amongst the child, dogs, footman and donkey. She abruptly turned back toward her chair and the tea service. “I’m having another cup of tea. Would you two gentlemen like to join me?”
Once they’d settled in again and she’d re-warmed everyone’s cup, she raised her head and gave them a direct gaze. “I know this is a lot to ask, but would the two of you mind if I sent Nicholas, the dogs, and Thomas over each day for my son’s speech practice?” When the two men gave each other odd looks, she hastened to add, “And of course, Cook will send along a hamper of food for everyone. And Thomas will clean up after the dogs.”
“That seals it for me.” Captain Thorne gave them a slow wink.
“All right,” Bourne said. “But a fortnight and no longer. Then I have to return to my ship.”
6
Richard walked alongside Captain Thorne whose posture was as erect and stern as if he still trod the deck of theQueen Charlotte. The whole effect was rendered a bit amusing, however, by the friendly, encouraging chatter the man directed at the floppy-eared donkey by his side.
“Bert, I know you’re disappointed at the lieutenant’s small load of possessions, but he’s a soldier, and soldiers travel light.”
The few pieces of clothing Richard owned, besides his Royal Marine uniform, fit snugly inside his simple leather rucksack now secured to Bert’s woven bridle. He could have easily carried the bag the short mile and a half to the captain’s cottage, but he knew Thorne enjoyed helping an old comrade-in-arms. And, besides, he strongly suspected the man had few visitors.
