Alexis was pouring them drinks in long stemmed crystal glasses. “This is a very light, dry wine,” she said. “I hope you like it.” She gave a glass to Kenna and Rhys. “Mr. Canning, I’m Alexis Cloud. It’s a pleasure to meet you at last.”
Kenna noted Alexis’s stare was not bold but she was studying Rhys’s face thoughtfully, clearly making up her own mind regarding the man her husband had told her about.
“I can say the same,” Rhys said gravely, not flinching from the steady gaze of his hostess’s striking amber eyes. Whatever she was searching for she must have found it in his serenely confident features because she smiled then, looking very nearly radiant as she did so. Rhys returned the smile and understood what Kenna admired about this woman. “Kenna has scarcely stopped talking about you. She tells me it was you commanding the schooner.”
“And you came to dinner anyway,” Alexis said in self-mockery. When she saw their puzzled faces, she explained. “My penchant for sailing the ships Cloud builds has kept more people than I can name from coming here. It is something of a scandal here on Beacon Hill.”
Tanner chuckled deeply and raised his glass of wine toward his wife. “To my notorious wife,” he said, a secret smile lifting the corners of his lips.
Rhys and Kenna were a little bewildered but they drank dutifully. “This is very good,” said Kenna. “Is it a domestic wine?”
“It’s French,” said Tanner.
Kenna looked quickly at Rhys. The smile around his mouth had become a little strained.
“What is it?” asked Alexis quickly, alert to the sudden tension that existed in the room.
“It will take some time getting used to,” Rhys said, twirling the stem of his glass in his long fingers. “In England it is tantamount to treason to drink French wines. Some do, of course, lifting their glasses and cursing Napoleon at the same time, but I—” He stopped, shrugging his shoulders as if it were no longer of any importance.
Tanner stepped forward and drew the glass from Rhys’s hand. “But you never could. It’s understandable. You fought that bloody Peninsula War, didn’t you?”
“How did you know?” Realization dawned in his eyes. “No, never mind, I know where you heard it.”
“Roland could not accept that Rhys would not come here three years ago to fight on the side of the United States,” Kenna said quietly. “It was a difficult decision for my husband but he wanted to remain in England.”
“As I would have in his place,” said Tanner. “What is the latest word on Napoleon?”
“You probably know as much as I do,” Rhys said. “When we left England he was rallying his armies. He has likely taken over the reins of power in France. If he is not checked by the English, he will have the entire Continent again.”
Alexis placed her hand on Rhys’s forearm. “It cannot be easy for you to know he is free after so many years of fighting.”
“It’s not. But my part in it is over. I’ve had my fill of war.” His eyes were soft as he looked at Kenna fondly. “This is where I want to be now.” He touched the slender hand Alexis had placed upon his arm. “But I seem to have left my manners in London. Forgive me for becoming so tiresome about something as trifling as a glass of wine.”
“There is nothing to forgive,” Alexis said simply. “I am happy you spoke your mind.”
Tanner offered his arm to Kenna. “A moment ago I saw Widdoes motioning from the hallway that our dinner is ready. Shall we go?”
Kenna went happily on his arm while Rhys escorted Alexis. The Clouds entertained in their small intimate supper room. Fresh, beautifully arranged flowers filled several vases on the sideboard and the room’s light came from the candelabras which had been set on the mantel, sideboard, and the dining table. The room had a mellow warmth about it that made Kenna very comfortable. She touched Rhys’s hand beneath the table and saw by his gentle smile that he was also quite content.
The meal was served with unobtrusive flair by Widdoes and the conversation flowed easily while they dined on fresh lobster served with hot melted butter, mushrooms stuffed with crabmeat and herbs, and a colorful rice and vegetable dish. Kenna laughed at her clumsy efforts to separate her lobster from its meat. She had difficulty peeling back the softened and cut shell and pushing out the meat.
“It requires a little perseverance,” Alexis assured her.
Kenna tried again, pressing the back of the shell, and the white succulent meat flowered to the top. She poked at it with her fork to separate the juicy flakes.
“I always think this food is meant to be enjoyed with one’s fingers. Go ahead. It’s quite acceptable here.” Alexis graciously demonstrated, then Kenna and Rhys followed suit. Tanner grinned, shrugged, and not to be left out, joined them.
“You were correct about the four Boston blue bloods, Mrs. Cloud,” Kenna said.
“Please call me Alex.”
Kenna nodded and offered the same informality of address. “They arrived just as you said they would and, according to the housekeeper, were plainly shocked that I was not at home to greet them. Imagine, expecting me to be there just because they had come calling!”
“It would be considered something of an honor that they deigned to visit you at all. The usual thing would be for them to simply command your presence. They left invitations though, didn’t they?” Alexis said wisely.
“Yes. How did you know?”
“It is the expected thing. They are all curious about the Cannings. You must know Roland wielded a great deal of political power in this state as well as nationally. Richard was considered by many to the likely winner of a senate seat in the next election. Their deaths shocked Boston. Naturally there is a lot of speculation about Roland’s estranged son.”
