“And you, as well. The costumes were delightful,” said Silas.
“You are too kind,” she said with a faint smile. “Though I will admit I am quite happy with the result.”
But before Silas could respond, Miss Delmonte straightened, her smile falling away as she bobbed a curtsy. “I apologize, sir, but Mrs. Slade has need of me. I must go.”
Silas nodded, though he gave Miss Delmonte’s back a pinched frown. By Jove, the shift from their governess to his friend had been of a subtle nature, and seeing Miss Delmonte shift between the two so quickly was startling. And very unpleasant. It had been nearly a month since she’d stopped bobbing at every greeting and parting and at least a fortnight since she’d stopped tacking on “sir” to every sentence.
Beside him, Hatch watched the Slades with a narrowed look, and Silas couldn’t help but support the fellow in his dislike of the two. Perhaps there was some other culprit, but Miss Delmonte approached the Slades with that wretched subservience she’d employed during the first weeks he’d known her; that lightness of spirit and smile in her eye was now tucked away as she stood before the two.
Silas didn’t like it one bit.
Chapter 17
“Ilike Miss Delmonte,” said Hatch.
That drew Silas’s attention away from watching the lady in question. “That is surprising.” He paused and quickly amended that, “Not that you liking her is a surprise—she is vastly likable—but I hadn’t realized you were acquainted enough to have formed an opinion.”
Hatch shrugged. “She has a calming presence.”
The young man’s jaw tightened, his gaze following Miss Delmonte as she stood beside the Slades, assisting with the children as needed. Silas’s gaze darted between Hatch and the governess, his brow furrowing.
“Have you developed…?” Silas wasn’t sure how to finish the question, for it seemed strange to voice it aloud, yet something in the way the young man watched Miss Delmonte made him think Hatch’s feelings were of some significance.
Then the young man’s eyes darted to Silas as the unasked question stretched out.
“What are you implying, Silas?”
“Miss Delmonte is a fine woman,” he answered with a tone that was far more than a hint.
Hatch’s eyes widened.
Silas shrugged. “I’ve seen you speaking with Mrs. Armitage after services on Sunday as well. You wouldn’t be the first man to prefer a more mature woman. Both she and Miss Delmonte are not past their prime.”
That surprised expression drifted away, and Hatch considered Silas with narrowed eyes. “Mrs. Armitage pesters me at church in hopes of finding something about you. I have no interest in speaking with her, let alone courting her.”
The revulsion in Hatch’s tone spoke more than enough of his hidden thoughts, and Silas fought back a chuckle. For all his ability and strength, one wouldn’t expect Jonathan Hatcher to be terrified of the fairer sex, but clearly, he had no designs for marriage at present. Perhaps it wouldn’t be quite so humorous if Hatch’s reaction wasn’t like lads who thought girls were plague-ridden creatures best left alone.
“One day, you will wish to court a lady,” said Silas.
Hatch grunted, though it didn’t sound like an agreement. “Miss Delmonte is a fine lady, but do not infer more to my feelings beyond the fact that I find her agreeable.”
The fact that he found her agreeable was no little thing, but Silas trusted Hatch’s words and tone that his feelings were not of a romantic bent. Nor did he think Miss Delmonte’s kindnesses were anything more than maternal. Silas grinned at the room, tucking his hands behind him as he surveyed the company.
“I should warn you that Mrs. Armitage is quite determined,” mumbled Hatch.
Silas’s smile widened. “She seems like a congenial lady. I wouldn’t mind coming to know her better. Things have been rather busy of late, but I look forward to the opportunity to spend some time with fetching ladies.”
Letting out a low sigh, Hatch surveyed the room with half-lidded eyes.
“Trust me, Hatch. Courting isn’t a miserable thing,” he said, clapping the young man on the shoulder once more.
“I’ve heard rumor that Mr. Bodham is going to cause trouble when our next shipment arrives,” said Hatch, proving that he ought not to be allowed in society often. Such a blunt conversational shift would never win him allies among the wealthy, which was why Silas would manage the customs officer.
“He is more bluster than action, Hatch. I am more concerned that our next shipment won’t arrive.”
Hatch huffed. “We have contingencies should the worst happen, Silas. It will be a setback, but not a great one.”
Silas nodded, though he wished he felt more certain. Not that he distrusted Hatch’s assessment, but this was the inheritance his uncle had entrusted in his care. Without this money, Silas had no way in which to maintain Stowell Cottage. He would be forced back to the sea, though regaining his position in the navy wouldn’t be a simple thing. And then there was the fact that he’d have to leave his children once more.
