“My friend is missing. Before leaving Town, I procured a possible lead, and I hope your father can assist me in discovering whether it is viable.”
“I am sorry about your friend,” I said. “You are clearly worried about him if you are willing to travel so far to discover his whereabouts. I hope my father is able to help you in the endeavor.”
He smiled wryly. “Why? So it means I shall leave sooner?”
I opened my mouth to correct his assertion, but Mother’s greeting from the doorway stopped me. She quickly drew the lieutenant into conversation, and it was not long before Russell and Bridget joined us in the drawing room.
Mother introduced the lieutenant to Bridget, and he bowed politely to her. “An honor, Miss Bridget.”
“Oh, I am so glad you are here!” Bridget gushed. “Mother says you served in the Navy. That must mean you’ve seen all sorts of exotic places.”
“Certainly places quite different from England,” the lieutenant responded. “Do you have an interest in traveling?”
“Interest is putting it lightly,” I said.
Bridget lifted her chin as if my statement was to be taken as a point of pride. “Someday, I shall travel the world just like my brothers, and I will appreciate it far more than they ever will. What was your favorite place to visit, Lieutenant Paget? You simply must tell me. No! Tell me first whether you met any pirates while at sea. And leave out no details.”
Mother grimaced. “Bridget darling, I do not think this an appropriate topic of conversation before dinner.”
Or likely ever.
Bridget pouted. “That is unfair. Provide me an opportunity for thrilling tales and then forbid me from requesting it?” She grumbled something more under her breath.
“Your mother is right,” said Lieutenant Paget. “Now may not be the best time, but I promise to regale you with at least one”—he glanced at my mother, who raised her brow— “intriguing tale whilst I am here.”
“With pirates?” Bridget asked.
“Of course. We cannot forget the pirates.” The lieutenant caught my eye. Amusement danced in his gaze, but it was not the sort that suggested this conversation might wind up on the tongues of gossips. Despite the impropriety of the conversation, especially involving a girl of sixteen who was old enough to behave more properly, he did not seem to think less of my sister, something I appreciated.
He winked at me, and I could not help but smile in return.
Dinner was announced, and we proceeded into the dining room with the lieutenant escorting Mother and Russell escorting me, while Bridget followed alone.
I spent the entirety of dinner watching the man who had vexed me for weeks in Town, observing him interact with my family and play the perfect gentleman. He did not tease me once the entire evening, not even in the drawing room after he and my brother had finished port. Instead, he was amiable in conversation and indulged my mother in her questions about his Naval service.
I could not make sense of it. He had always treated my family with respect, but he had never shied away from pressing me to engage in a battle of wits, not even in company. What had changed? And, confound it, why did I so desperately wish to know?
Theroadintotownwas empty in the early hours of morning, and the only sound was the accompanying crunch of my shoes, and that of my maid’s, against the rocky ground. Unable to sleep, I had visited Father early this morning and then decided a short jaunt into town would settle my thoughts.
Or, at the very least, rid them of Lieutenant Paget.
The man was a conundrum I could not solve, which made me dislike him all the more.
“Where would you like to visit today, miss?” asked Rose, nodding to the parcel she carried. The scent of baked bread wafted from it.
Rose was near my age and had been hired on by Father after I left the schoolroom. I liked Rose very well. She was an excellent conversationalist and knew precisely how to handle my often chaotic hair. I could speak openly around her without fear of gossip spreading. But then, all of the servants at Kenwick were loyal to my father.
“I thought of visiting the Pomfreys today,” I answered. “Mrs. Pomfrey recently delivered her baby. The other children would appreciate some fresh bread and sweetmeats, I think.”
“So we are for the shops first?”
“Yes. Let’s pick out some things for them.”
We arrived at the shop. Rose and I filled a box full of pastries and smaller treats. It was difficult to restrain myself from doing more, but I could not press my luck with the Pomfreys. They were in desperate need of help after Mr. Pomfrey passed in the spring, but the family was as prideful as they came. They would not accept much in the way of charity. I did what I could, which was always far less than what they needed.
Rose followed closely at my side as we neared the Pomfreys’ residence. This part of town reflected the financial struggles of those who lived here, and it made Rose nervous, evident by her pinched expression, but I did not allow the slight discomfort and pounding of my heart to prevent me from visiting. Father did what he could for the people here, or like in the Pomfreys’ case, did what they would allow. It was often a delicate balance.
I knocked on the door and was greeted by a young girl. She held a swaddled infant in her arms, and she relaxed at the sight of us.
