Pen swiveled as the door to the kitchen gardens opened.
“Oh,” she said, disappointed. “It’s you.”
Emmaus chuckled. “You wound me, Lady Chev.”
“I am sorry, Emmaus, it’s just that for a moment...” For a moment what? She’d thought something miraculous had happened. “I am a fool.”
Emmaus took her hand. “You are far from foolish.”
“I—I had hoped to meet the captain, he’s...” She frowned, “...singular.”
“That he is.” Emmaus cocked his head. “Would you like me to deliver the message he gave me?”
The hope that had deflated catapulted her heart back into her throat, fluttering like a fledgling. “Yes, please.”
“He did not acquiesce to your summons because he did not wish to cause more trouble with Anthony and Thomas at this time.”
At this time?
“However,” Emmaus continued, “The captain would like to meet you.”
“Where? When?”Now, thank you.
“I suggested fairy rocks—a place quiet and private that would not threaten your reputation. I will escort you there, and stay close enough to hear your call, that is, if you wish me to stay.”
The thrashing continued. “Do you trust the captain?”
Emmaus pursed his lips. “I do.” He turned. “I will await you by the stables. Make sure you bring your knife. Not for the captain, but for any other threat that might linger in the night.”
With that he left.
She gazed after him in stunned amazement.
Emmaus trusted no one.
Just who was this mysterious captain?
How had he so quickly captured the imaginations of Emmaus and her son?
And how was she to ensure that the same did not happen to her?
Chapter Eight
ASPENELOPE APPROACHEDthe stone circle, she sensed the captain waiting for her in the shadow of the tallest rock.
She didn’t know how she recognized the captain’spresence, but she knew him. Just like she knew the captain was different from the other broken sailors she’d sheltered. He stood apart the same way the carefully placed stones stood apart from the pebbles littering the field.
Like the stones, he made her pause, part in wonder, part in fear.
“You came.”
The deep tenor of his voice disoriented, intrigued.
“I came,” she responded.
“And is Emmaus waiting down by the dip in the moor?”
“No,” she replied. “He said I could trust you.”
