Her father leaned back, relaxed and satisfied at demonstrating the long war had not hindered their ability to enjoy the luxuries of life.
“Good choice, my lord.I’ll have the same.”
Thus, while her father began to question Jonathan — “What brings you to Eutin?”— Lise interrupted him once to ask about his preference for sugar and milk, dropping the tongs just one time, albeit with a loud clatter.She simply could not believe the viscount was in her drawing room.
“I can tell you that I’m here on a surveying assignment.Necessary but dull business to some, although I enjoy it.”As much as he was trying to catch her gaze, she was trying to avoid his.
Leaning forward across the narrow table, Lise held out the saucer, clearly hearing the cup rattling on top of it.After Jonathan had grasped it, she handed him a small plate containing a slice of spiced honey cake, which he rested on his lap.
“Surveying.”Her father’s interest sharpened.“That’s right.Henrik said you are the nobleman mapmaker.”
Jonathan gave a wry smile.“Yes, sir.”Jonathan’s gaze flicked to Lise again.“I am.I thought merely to say hello to the lieutenant, not to intrude upon your hospitality.”Nevertheless, he ate a big bite of cake and washed it down with the coffee.
“Our son left a fortnight ago,” her mother said with a sigh.“Back to his regiment.”
“Nothing to sigh over,” her father said.“Henrik is doing his duty.”
Something shifted in Jonathan’s expression, but Lise couldn’t tell what he was thinking.“I am sorry to have missed him,” he said.“At least I can resume my acquaintance with Miss von Ostenfeld.”
Lise was just taking a sip of coffee when he said those words.She sucked the hot beverage into her lungs and began to cough.His talk of resuminganythingunnerved her.Setting her cup down, she reached for a handkerchief in the seam pocket of her skirt while her mother helpfully tapped her back.
“My apologies,” Lise croaked as all eyes were upon her.
Her father frowned before wiping a cake crumb off his mustache and turning his thoughtful assessment back to their guest.“How long do you expect to remain in the region?”
“Several weeks, at least.Maybe months.”
Lise’s heart hammered.This was not good.Not good at all.
Yet it was also wonderful!
The conversation danced across many things that would interest a mapmaker, the state of the roads, the weather, the latest news about French zones of occupation and armies fighting farther south.
“The war has moved toward Saxony,” her father told him.“What do you know of Britain’s intent?”
“Very little, I’m afraid,” Jonathan answered.“Henrik will know far more since he was meeting with army officers.All I know is how beautiful the forests are in this area.”Then he complimented the estate’s ideal situation, from a surveyor’s standpoint, making Lise’s father beam with pride.
“Where are you residing?”her father asked.“And where are you surveying?I take it the pack horse holds your equipment.”
Lise half-expected Jonathan to announce his intent to stay right there in her family’s home.She would probably faint.
“I have already been on the Continent for two weeks, surveying my way from Tönning, heading to Eutin, where I am to be a guest of the bailiff for a short while,” Jonathan said.“I’m going there next.”
“A fine house,” her mother said.“But you must stay and dine with us.”
Lise bit her tongue.This would be torture.And then she heard a reprieve.
“I have already been invited to dine with the Duke of Oldenburg’s administrator and the bailiff and their wives.However, I thank you for the invitation.”
Her mother hated to be thwarted, and her father loved to show off their cook’s abilities.Thus, Lise was not surprised when a second offer was made.
“When you are next free, Lord Bowen, I hope you will send word.If you do so by ten in the morning,” he boasted, “we shall put on a supper to rival your English kitchens.”
“Papa,” Lise murmured.
“How kind of you,” Jonathan said.
“Why don’t we tentatively plan on the end of the week?”her mother said, knowing how Frau Becker hated surprises.Ten in the morning would not be sufficient for their cook, no matter what her father said.“Would Friday be agreeable?”
