Realisation hit Finn and he chuckled. “Let me guess. Every single woman in the county has gotten wind that two bachelors are now in their area.”
“Oh good grief,” Hecate burst out laughing. “I never thought of that.”
“Neither did we, Ma’am,” said Harvey. “But almost every day we’ve had either food or other provisions delivered by a parade of ladies who ‘just happened to be in the area’.Whythey would be out walking with pies…” He shrugged. “Some verygoodpies, though, I have to say.”
“And you thought we were more pie-bearing ladies?” Finn couldn’t help the chuckle.
“At first, yes,” grinned Harvey. “Thank you for not bringing any.”
They chatted for a little while, Hecate refused the offer of tea, and then they left, Finn still grinning at the predicament the two Hussars had found themselves in, which he described as every bit as frightening as a full-on battle against the French.
Hecate threw him a glance as they headed for home. “Laugh while you may, Finn. Wait until the neighbourhood learns thatyouare single. I predict my door knocker will be quite active in the coming weeks and months.”
He shuddered. “Don’t eventhinkit.”
Unfortunately, she was right.
*~~*~~*
“And how are you feeling today, Sergeant Casey?” Mrs. Gilley smiled at him fondly, as did her daughter, Lavender.
“Very well, thank you, Ma’am,” replied Finn politely.
“We were saying just the other day how delightful it is to know that we are hosting a brave soldier in our midst,” added Mrs. Francis. “Susan and Dora are quite in alt to have met you, as is Lavender, of course.”
The two blushing young ladies thus referred to, tittered, and next to them Miss Lavender Gilley pouted.
Hecate was hard pressed to restrain her amusement, although the morning-calls were turning out to be a bit of an interruption to her day’s schedules.
“Sergeant Casey has made a wonderful recovery, ladies. He and Dal are working together now on plans for the winter. Storing what we need, and so on.” She turned the conversation away from Finn. “May I ask if you are all doing the same thing? This has been such a terrible year; I shudder to think of what we might face as winter draws nigh.”
Talk moved to practical matters, as Hecate had hoped it would. Mrs. Gilley and Mrs. Francis were but two of the mothers of hopeful daughters, but they had become the most persistent over the last ten days.
Hecate shot Finn an amused glance as both women casually mentioned the two young farmers that were now living in Doireann Vale. A passing comment, but for a brief second Hecate could have sworn she scented a pie.
As was his wont, Dal usually allowed about fifteen minutes or so of conversation before poking his head in and requesting Finn’s presence. Finn, apologetically, bade farewell to the guests, leaving the room with relief evident in his firm stride.
The sighs followed him as the door closed behind him.
If only he wasn’t so damned handsome.
“He is a testament to your healing skills, Miss Ridlington,” observed Mrs. Gilley. “I suppose you learned about such things during your own recuperation?” She glanced pointedly at the cane leaning against Hecate’s chair.
“My interest began long before my carriage accident, Ma’am,” she answered calmly. “I’m just happy to be able to assist those in need where I can.”
“So Sergeant Casey was wounded?” Lavender Gilley leaned forward, an eager expression on her face.
Once again, Hecate found herself repeating the fiction they’d come up with to explain Finn’s presence. “Yes, Ma’am. He survived Waterloo without injury, but a few months ago he ran into a skirmish with an armed gang of thieves, just outside London. He managed to find his way to my sister’s home, and she immediately recognised him as a friend of Richard’s. Together they contacted me and asked if I could help in Sergeant Casey’s recovery.” She met the curious eyes with relaxed complacency. “I was more than happy to do so.”
More sighs greeted this explanation, and since the man himself showed no signs of reappearing, the ladies rose and began to gather their things.
“Well he’s a very lucky lad to be here, to receive your ministrations.” Once again, glances dropped to her cane.
“I’m fortunate to be well enough to assist in his recovery,” repeated Hecate, although she made a point of rising very slowly to her feet and immediately reaching for the carved head of her cane. It didn’t hurt that they’d ruled her out as competition for Finn’s affections.
She limped. Therefore, she was flawed in their eyes, and clearly no rival when put up against such perfect specimens as Dora, Susan and Lavender.
To Hecate’s surprise, there had been barely any gossip, either. It was a good thing overall, but she couldn’t help but feel angry at the widely-held view of her feminine appeal.
