The praise hung uneasily upon Eli’s head. He was no hero, but neither was he a traitor. Would the navy truly convene a court-martial? He’d reported his survival as soon as he’d arrived, and had no trouble obtaining a brief shore leave to sort out his affairs. Their reaction had been one of astonishment, not suspicion. Surely once the death certificate was cleared up and a suitable assignment could be found in keeping with his rank and experience, he would return to sea.
Wouldn’t he?
“Can you tell me more about your captivity, Lieutenant? I don’t suppose there are any witnesses who might produce an affidavit?”
“No, I’m afraid the pirates are the only ones who can confirm where I was, and they aren’t the most helpful lot.” Eli cleared his throat. He hated these questions. What was the use in dwelling on the past? Self-pity never helped anyone. “And as to the details, you’ll forgive me if I don’t wish to relive them, since you can’t handle that part of my case.”
“No.” Filby sighed. “Quite understandable. Well then.” To Eli’s relief, he rose to his feet and set his hat back upon his balding head. “You know where to reach me. Send over the character references as soon as you’re able, and I’ll handle everything from there. It would be prudent to have several from outside the family, to eliminate any possible concern that your return is a hoax.”
Eli rose from his chair and took the opportunity to see their solicitor out.
He stood in the stillness of the entranceway for a long moment after Filby had shut the door behind him, unable to put a label on the feeling crawling over his skin. A vague sense of…wrongness.
What would he do if the navy laid charges? He needed his post, needed the income and freedom it brought him.
And then there was his family. He couldn’t lay a scandal at their door after all the pain his disappearance had caused.
He should go and see Captain Powlett, his commanding officer on theLibertas. That was the answer. They’d gotten on well. If he could be found in England now, he’d surely help smooth things over. Or if not, then some other connection toward the top of the ranks. He would go to London and make some inquiries and resolve this whole problem before it could hurt anyone he cared about.
Now that his course was decided, Eli’s body hummed with nervous energy. He would fix everything, not only with the navy.
Jane was in London too.
He would accept that invitation to her cousin’s rout. She was sure to be there. Perhaps she hadn’t written to him because she was so surprised, but if he had the chance to explain himself in person, he could mend things between them. She’d once been the first person he turned to for advice, the one he trusted without hesitation. Whatever else his reckless choices had cost him, it couldn’t erase that.
He wished he were already there.
Eli walked back into the parlor, where his parents were still debating the usefulness of a government bureaucracy. He interrupted them without any compunction.
“I’ve decided to go to London.”
“But you’ve only just come home!” His mother looked up, startled. “We’ve scarcely had the chance to see you.”
“If you like, you could join me. Shouldn’t Hannah be attending the season?”
“Oh, I couldn’t persuade her. Her coming out went rather badly last year.” His mother sighed, a familiar worry line creasing her brow. “I don’t knowhowwe’ll find her a husband at this rate.”
“I am sorry to rush off, but what Mr. Filby said about the court-martial makes me think I might visit a few connections from the navy and ensure there’s no confusion about my return. Better not to put it off.”
“You don’t really think it’s a risk, do you?” She brought a hand to her breast. Eli could practically see the images unfolding in her head—her son’s name splashed in the papers, branded a deserter or worse.
“Of course not,” he said quickly. Why had he shared his fears with his mother? He should have made up some pretext for the journey. “I’ll take care of this in no time. Don’t think of it another moment.”
She had enough to deal with without Eli adding to her burdens.
“Well, if you’re sure.” The lines on his mother’s brow faded into smoothness at his words, and he breathed a little easier. “Maybe I can persuade Hannah to come along for the rest of the season. It’s rather late to go about renting a town house, but your aunt’s place should be free while she’s in Bath.”
“Never understood why everyone makes such a fuss about going to London,” muttered Mr. Williams. “Too crowded. Too noisy. And you see allkindsof people filling the streets. At least in the country, you know what sort of stock your neighbors come from.”
Eli bit his tongue. His father took the wrong view on just about everything, but arguing only worked him into a state. It was one of the reasons Eli had been eager to get away when he’d joined the navy. That, and Cecily.
“You’re welcome to stay at home, Mr. Williams,” Mrs. Williams suggested mildly.
“If you’re all going, I’ll have to come,” he grumbled. “People would talk.”
And with that, their plans were made.
On Thursday evening, Jane was obliged to attend Cecily’s fête. Only a few hours earlier, she’d stood before their little medicine cabinet, spoon in hand, contemplating whether a small dose of purgative might mimic illness and free her from the evening. But Cecily had promised there was a surprise in store, and Uncle Bertie would have been disappointed if she missed it.
