“Della, would you mind giving us a moment?” Jane murmured.
“Of course.” Della exited the room swiftly, though not before one last look over her shoulder.
Hannah poured out her secret the moment the door was closed. “Eli’s moved a strange man into our house and hardly lets us talk to him.”
“Pardon?” Whatever she’d been expecting, it wasn’t that.
“He knows Eli from his service, but he isn’t in the navy. I think he’s Greek, though every time I try to learn anything about him, Papa threatens to send me to stay with my aunt in Bath, and then Mama starts crying about my marriage prospects.” Hannah heaved a long sigh. “It’s been the worst few days you can imagine.”
“My goodness.” Had this man assisted Eli during his mysterious absence? He must be someone important, to have been moved into the house. “We have to learn more about him. Do you think I could call on you tomorrow?”
“Oh no, we’re not receiving now because Eli’s so worried someone will see him. We’re all pretending Papa’s ill. And I’m sworn to secrecy, so you mustpromisenot to tell. I haven’t told anyone about your forfeit, and I wish you hadn’t put me in this position.” Hannah scowled at her, which she probably deserved. “Oh, and Eli’s also being court-martialed for desertion.”
“What?”
“No, maybe not court-martialed. Court inquired? I’m not sure exactly how it works. Don’t worry, though, he’s assured me they’ll find him innocent. And that’s a secret too.”
“Why wouldn’t you tell me about that part first?” Jane demanded. It took all her self-control not to shout.
A court-martial!
The navy must share her doubts about what really transpired during Eli’s captivity. But where Jane’s concerns had little consequence, a court-martial could mean infamy, disgrace, and harsh retribution.
Were men shot for desertion? Whipped?
The thought struck her like a hole in her chest.
When Hannah spoke again, Jane could scarcely make sense of her words. “Trust me, the strange man living in our house ismuchmore interesting than this legal business. It’s all just a lot of waiting around for something to happen.”
“But Hannah, if he’s found guilty, who knows what they might do to him!”
“He won’t be found guilty, of course.” Hannah looked at Jane as if she’d suggested it might rain toads tomorrow. “My brother’s not a coward. He wascaptured.”
Perhaps she was right. Eli wasn’t a coward, and besides, why would he come back and reveal himself to half of London if he’d run from his service? But hewaskeeping secrets about his absence, something he hadn’t been willing to share with her. Would he share it with the court-martial? Surely he must, if his life were at stake.
He had to. The alternative was too frightening.
“Anyway, you must swear to me you’ll keep all of this to yourself,” Hannah interrupted her thoughts. “My family will never forgive me if they find out I told you, but I thought you had a right to know.”
Jane tossed her a sharp look, wondering again what she might suspect. Hannah added hastily, “Because of the forfeit, I mean.”
“I see.”
Without quite meeting her gaze, Hannah added, “And you tend to give good advice, which Eli could probably use at the moment. I’m not persuaded he knows what he’s doing.”
I don’t know what I’m doing, either, Hannah.
“Let’s call Della back before the guests arrive,” Jane murmured.Her thoughts were still whirling, but lingering over what she’d learned wouldn’t help Eli. The best thing they could do now was to put on a brave front for the crowd. One battle at a time.
Della may as well have had a giant question mark written over her face when she returned, but she was good enough to save that for later and focus on the evening. Though, as their guests arrived, she must have noticed Jane wasn’t holding up her end of the small talk very well.
“My, we’re a large number tonight,” Mrs. Muller commented once she’d settled in next to Jane. “If we keep this up, we’ll need a second room!”
It was true. Besides Hannah, there were a number of new faces in the group. Della must have continued her recruitment efforts in spite of the trouble with Uncle Bertie.
She should be happy. Even if Jane had to bow out, there was no reason Della couldn’t enjoy their victory. But it pained her to think of her friend going on without her, savoring all the triumphs they were meant to have enjoyed together.
“We’re so glad to have you with us, Mrs. …” Jane read the namecard across the table, perched before a young lady she didn’t know. “Mrs. Alan. Tell me, how do you know Miss Danby?”
