Fanny glanced up to see Sir Elliot Marwood standing before her vegetable cart. A reluctant smile touched her mouth. As the squire of Polperro and the local magistrate, he was just in his dealings when it came to smuggling. In truth, he had testified on behalf of the character of more than one resident. He had become as much a benefactor for the village as Zephaniah Job, the banker and self-elected leader for Polperro’s flourishing side income.
“Siblings.” Fanny shrugged.
“Ah.” Sir Elliot smiled more broadly, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners. “I can sympathize with that. It’s one reason I wished to leave London, to spare my wife from my sisters and stoic elder brother.”
Fanny couldn’t imagine someone of Sir Elliot’s kind nature being related to anyone less worthy, but she didn’t remark upon it. Instead, she gestured to her cart. “Would you care for some watercress today? Or radishes, perhaps?”
His gaze turned serious. “I’m afraid I’m here on a rather important matter. Might you relay a message to your father?”
“Of course.” Fanny clasped her hands together nervously.
“I have an old school friend coming into town,” Sir Elliot said evenly, “He’s due to arrive this evening. He doesn’t know about our...dealings in the village, and I believe it would be in our best interests if it remains that way. I’ve already spoken to Zephaniah about our need for discretion, as there’s a shipment due to arrive in a fortnight.”
“I will make sure your concern is expressed to my father,” Fanny said. She wasn’t the only one who knew that strangers were a danger when it came to Polperro’s networking at Talland Bay.
The slight lines that had touched his forehead now dissipated. “Very good, Miss Grouseman. I will escort my friend around the village tomorrow, so that you will be able to put a face with the name. After that, I have a plan in place that I believe will keep him occupied for the duration of his stay.” He touched a hand to his hat in farewell. “I hope that the rest of your day is prosperous.”
Fanny bit her lip. After Sir Elliot’s caution, she realized that Agnes was no longer her most pressing problem.
***
JONATHAN DIDN’T EVENhave to knock. As he was walking up the front steps, the door to Killigarth Manor was opened by a stone-faced English butler. The servant bowed reverently and stepped back for him to enter. Jonathan winced as his boots actually squished as he walked inside. The infernal rain may have finally ceased, but he feared his Hessians were ruined beyond repair at this point. Even the butler glanced at the puddle he left on the carpet with a slightly raised brow.
“Ah, Jonathan, you’ve arrived at last.” He glanced up to see Elliot grimace at his dripping appearance. “I see you’ve already encountered our fine Cornish weather.”
Jonathan handed over his greatcoat to the butler, relieved when it felt as if two stone worth of sodden material was lifted from his shoulders. He rolled his arms and neck to relieve the kinks and replied dryly, “I hope you have some decent French brandy at hand.”
Elliot winked. “I wouldn’t stock anything but the best.” A footman suddenly appeared. “Frank will show you to your rooms. He will stand in as a valet while you’re in residence. Once you are settled in and more comfortable, come and join me in the study. I’ll have a glass waiting for you. Shall we say, thirty minutes?”
Jonathan grimaced. “Make it five.”
***
IT ACTUALLY TOOK ABOUTa quarter hour for Jonathan to return, and while he still shivered, at least his clothes were dry. He took a seat in a chair by the roaring fire, and after a bit of civil conversation — and a half empty glass of liquor in his stomach — he was almost content.
“Better?” Elliot teased as he sat across from him.
“Infinitely.” Jonathan sighed as he leaned his head back against the chair. He closed his eyes temporarily, before he lifted his head and regarded his former school comrade. “I’ll never understand why you chose to willingly live here. I would imagine the Highlands of Scotland are more populated than this dreadful place.”
Elliot merely chuckled. “You know I’ve always preferred the country to city life.”
“Country, yes,” Jonathan concurred. “But not geographic isolation.” He shook his head. “Then again, you’ve saved me the trouble of renting rooms at one of the local inns, and for that I’m grateful. God only knows what sort of hovel I might have been subjected to, not to mention the locals.”
Elliot rolled his eyes. “We may not be in London, but I assure you, the villagers of Polperro are quite respectable.” He paused. “To prove it, I thought we might make a brief stop there tomorrow on the way to visit your tin mine in St. Austell.”
Jonathan drained the rest of his brandy, and said mockingly, “I can’t wait.”
“Since you are so thrilled with the prospect—” Elliot’s lips twitched. “—I thought to hold a ball in your honor.”
Jonathan winced. “Please, don’t.”
Elliot smiled. “I’m afraid the plans are already in motion. Besides, I wouldn’t dare deprive Evelyn of the opportunity to host such an event. She was rather pleased when I told her you were coming. I don’t believe she’s seen you since we were last in London. Not since the wedding, at least.”
“I wondered where your lovely wife might be hiding,” Jonathan drawled. “Although, this is Cornwall, so I imagine she could have her pick of desolate locations.”
Elliot chuckled again. “I’m sure she would prefer that to Conner’s rather fussy nature of late. Our son is cutting teeth, so she has been spending most of her time in the nursery doing her best to console him.” His friend shot him a sly glance. “Speaking of which, when am I going to get to stand up at your wedding ceremony?”
A gaunt-faced man in butler livery appeared in the doorway. “Dinner is served.”
