She shook her head. “Don’t. There’s nothing extraordinary about my life.”
“Perhaps I have lost touch with what women can be.”
“Any woman, Ash. Don’t forget, the edge can be found in the simplest places. In a room with an idea. In a kitchen with a pot, in a nursery with a child. Women who fight Barbary pirates aren’t better than those who tend their families at home.”
“But you,” he said simply, “are you.”
She looked at him, breathless, but then it was as if a shutter closed. He looked away, then said, “There’s the maid and baby.”
Chapter Thirty
Genova turned and saw Sheena with Charlie in her arms. A glance around showed many servants present, some helping, some merely looking on and even enjoying the Christmas delicacies and drinks. It had to be with permission.
Ash was already heading across the hall toward the Irish girl. Genova hurried after him, thinking that he, too, was concerned that Charlie might cry, but then realized that he probably didn’t know about his cousin’s weakness.
She was caught and kissed by three other men. She managed to laugh and flirt to the required degree, but her reaction was only impatience. She needed to keep up with Ash, but also, no kisses other than his mattered now.
She saw Sheena bob a curtsy, face sinking into sullenness. Was close enough to hear her say, “Good day, milord,” as if she spoke English well. The girl was clever, which would be a good thing.
“Good day, Sheena,” Ash said, as Genova arrived at his side. “Lady Booth Carew?”
The girl’s eyes widened, but she nodded.
“Where is she?”
Sheena’s eyes hunted around for help.
“Where is Charlie’s mother, Sheena?”
“Stop!” Genova put herself between them. “You’re frightening her.”
“If I’m to make peace,” he said sharply, “I have to sort out my affairs, especially those relating to MollyCarew. Sheena is clearly not stupid and she understands a bit of English. Names do not change much from language to language, and nor does the word for mother.”
“But why would she know anything of use to you? She’s simply a wet nurse.”
“Don’t you want to find the truth?”
“Yes, of course, but not like this!”
His dark eyes studied her. “You admit there is a truth to be found?”
She hadn’t meant that, but challenged, she opened her mind. She now felt sure that he would not lie to her.
“Yes. I believe you,” she said. “I don’t understand how you can be sure you’re not Charlie’s father, but I believe that you are. Sure, that is.”
“Somewhat guarded, but thank you. If I can discover the real father, it will solve many of my problems.”
“Lady Booth’s the one to ask, isn’t she?”
“She seems to have slipped away.”
“Slipped away?”
“A friend was with me at the Lion and Unicorn. He went after her, but lost the trail.”
Genova kept an eye on Sheena and the baby but was absorbed by this discussion. They were talking, directly and practically, and it felt completely natural, as if they had known each other a long time.
And as if they trusted each other. It was as if a cloud of insubstantial delights had coalesced into a pearl, something real that could be held and cherished.
