“No, let me sort out the accounts. I like working with figures and you know you don’t. More to the point, I would probably be a hindrance to you if I attended your meeting with the merchants. Not everyone will appreciate my interest in the line’s operation.”
“All right,” Rhys gave in graciously. In truth he did not care what others thought but he knew she was right. “Let us plan on having luncheon together. We’ll find a respectable tavern.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Rhys grinned at her absent reply. She had already opened the first ledger and was scanning the accounts thoughtfully. He picked up her redingote which she had thrown over a chair and hung it up on a hook by the door. He doubted she even heard him bid her good day.
Immersed as she was in her figures, Kenna did not glance up when she heard the door open several hours later. “I’ll be with you in a moment, Rhys. I have only this column to do.”
Alexis Cloud shut the door softly behind her and sat down in one of the pair of chairs in front of the desk. Her striking amber eyes studied Kenna’s intent posture thoughtfully. If Alexis had relied on the rumors already circulating Boston concerning the Cannings, the last place she would have expected to find Mrs. Canning was in her husband’s offices. It was believed she would be making a triumphant entrance into society based on her late father-in-law’s power and position. It was expected that she and Rhys Canning would attend the splendid affairs given by their wealthy peers, thus filling the void left by Roland and Richard. The fate of all that Canning money weighed on everyone’s mind. Or nearly everyones’s mind. The Canning wealth had been used generously to hold a number of people in the Canning pockets. Alexis Cloud was not one of that number.
When Kenna finally looked up from her work she found herself staring into a pair of the most intriguing eyes she had ever seen. Amber, with flecks of gold, they seemed to reflect the light in the room. The woman seated across from her was naturally poised, confident, and clearly beautiful. Kenna estimated her age was very near Kenna’s own. From beneath her attractive bonnet wisps of bright gold hair framed an oval face that was more lovely than the sum of its features. Kenna found herself admiring the character she saw and it was only after smiling in welcome that Kenna realized she had been under similar scrutiny and had not been found wanting.
“I’m Mrs. Canning,” she introduced herself. “Pardon me for keeping you waiting. I thought you were my husband come to take me to luncheon.” As a smile dimpled the corners of the woman’s mouth Kenna realized the woman must think her remarkably unconcerned about her husband’s feelings. “You were infinitely more patient than he would have been.”
“I confess I have kept my husband cooling his heels while I attended to some matters also,” she said in the manner of a fellow conspirator. “Now that we share that much in common, permit me to welcome you to Boston. I am Alexis Cloud.”
Kenna could not suppress her shock. “But you can’t be.”
Alexis’s laughter was genuinely pleased. “I do enjoy that reaction. Tell me, what have you heard?”
Kenna was embarrassed by her lack of manners. “It doesn’t bear repeating. It was plainly untrue.” She was not the sort of woman who would permit her wealth to be bartered into marriage. “Would you like a cup of tea? I was going to have one myself.”
“Yes. I’d like that.”
Kenna poured hot water from a kettle on the stove into a pot and measured out the tea. While it steeped she found a second cup in one of the drawers of the desk and set it out. “Your accent surprises me,” she said. “I did not realize you were English.”
“I’m not.”
The reply was so terse that Kenna felt as if she had somehow given offense where none was intended. “Have I said something wrong?”
“Forgive me,” said Alexis. “Cloud always says I am too quick to take issue with comments like that. I was born in England and lived there until I was thirteen. Breecham Lane. Have you ever heard of it?”
“Oh, but that’s—” She stopped before she offended Mrs. Cloud again.
“It’s all right. I know very well what it is. If there was a poorer, dirtier section of London, I’ve yet to learn of it. After I left England I lived on Tortola with George and Francine Quinton for six years. I assume you heard my name in connection with Quinton Shipping.” Kenna nodded. “I thought so. When they were killed by a British naval officer, I severed the last ties with England. I’m American now.” She said the last with unmistakable pride.
Kenna poured their tea. She was filled with curiosity but held her questions. She felt certain this woman could be her friend and in time they would share their pasts. “I’ve rather had the country thrust upon me, but I admit there is much to admire about it.” She handed a cup to Alexis then sat down, but instead of putting the desk between them, she took the chair beside her guest. “It was kind of you to come here today. Do you know you’re the first person to welcome me to the city?”
“Quite honestly I had come to welcome your husband and extend an invitation to you both for dinner in my home some evening this week. It was an unexpected pleasure to find you here. At this very minute there are at least four of Boston’s bloody blue matrons on their way to your home to look you over.”
“Are there really?” asked Kenna, plainly astonished.
“Oh, yes.” Alexis sipped her tea. “I saw them gathering on Beacon Hill this morning when I left the house. They will be quite put out that I found you first.”
“It amuses you,” Kenna observed. “Why is that?”
“I’ll let you discover that for yourself,” she replied enigmatically. “I’m of no mind to spoil it for you.”
Kenna realized she was going to have to be satisfied with the explanation. “When Rhys and I arrived the other day we saw one of your schooners coming into the harbor. It was truly a beautiful ship. Rhys said she could chase the wind. Have you many like her?”
“She’s one of a kind,” Alexis said, pleasure in her voice. “Responsive to the slightest touch. Yes, I believe she can chase the wind. I will have to tell Cloud that. He designed her. You saw her coming in on her maiden voyage. I took her out to get the feel of her.”
“Youtook her out?” Kenna’s awe was transparent.
“Not alone, you understand. I have an excellent crew,” Alexis added without a trace of conceit. She finished her tea and placed her cup on the desk. “I have to be going. I’ve taken up enough of your time and your husband will no doubt be here shortly. Will you think about my invitation? Say for Friday around seven? Cloud and I would both enjoy your company.”
Kenna rose to her feet when Alexis stood. She found one more thing to like about Alexis Cloud. The woman was every bit as tall as she was. Kenna opened the door for her. “I don’t have to think about it. Rhys and I would be delighted to come.”
