“Sit still and stop scowling,” Sophie instructed.
After one final scowl, he complied.
That afternoon, Stephen sat reading his Bible in a wing-back chair in the library, when Angela Blake strode into the room, Carlton Keith on her heels.
“Miss Blake. Wait.”
Before Stephen could react or announce his presence, she whirled on Keith. “Why do you insist on playing the part of the drunken fool? Gambling away what little money you still have. Gambling away your chance, your life...”
“My chance? My chance at what?”
She turned away, freckles receding beneath her blush.
He grasped her arm and turned her toward him. “Are you saying I have a chance with you? Or did have, before I acted so stupidly?”
She averted her face, refusing to answer.
Stephen sat there, taken aback to find himself an unwilling witness to the scene. Partway through he had decided it would be too mortifying for them all to make his presence known.
Keith shook his head in wonder. “I had no idea. Never guessed you would even consider a man like me. I know I am not good enough for you. But God help me, if I have any chance at all, I will try to be worthy of you.”
“I don’t know if that is possible,” she said. “Now even my brother thinks the worst of you. Pull yourself together, Mr. Keith. For your own sake, not mine.” She jerked her arm from his grasp and fled the room.
Keith remained where he was, watching her go.
Stephen waited a moment, then cleared his throat. Keith turned.
“Sorry. I didn’t know whether to say anything or not.”
Keith walked over and flopped down in the chair across from him. “Doesn’t matter. I’ve ruined everything. And didn’t even know there was anything to ruin.”
“What happened?”
“Besides my constant drunkenness, impudence, and crass ways?”
“Yes.”
“Her brother invited me over to Windmere for dinner and cards last night. I drank too much and wagered too much. I lost my money and my supper. I doubt I shall be asked back.”
Stephen winced on behalf of his former lieutenant. “Not one of your more clever maneuvers.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.” Keith sighed. “I can curb the gambling. It’s fairly easy to resist when I’m broke. But the drinking...” He shook his head. “It’s so dashed hard. It’s served at every meal, except breakfast. Everyone drinks.”
“Not everyone.”
“You used to.”
“True.”
“Why don’t you drink anymore, Captain?”
Stephen shrugged. “I saw what it did to me. I didn’t like the man I became and what he was capable of.”
“You, Captain? And what have you ever done that’s so bad? Besides work the devil out of us men and earn the name Captain Black? But that’s no sin.”
“Oh, I have sinned, all right. It’s not something I like to remember, let alone talk about. I... once took advantage of a woman and left her alone to face the consequences, whatever they might be.” Stephen cringed at the thought of Jenny, as he always did. “Remember the silversmith’s daughter, in Dublin?”
“Ah...” Keith lifted his chin in acknowledgement.
