Mr. Hatcher’s brow furrowed as he studied her. “What of them?”
Holding up her hand, Judith examined the fabric wrapped around her fingers. “It seems I have a mystery mender who has been of great assistance to me. They even managed to fix this rip so expertly one can hardly tell it was darned. Quite impressive.”
The fellow turned his gaze away from her, shifting in place as his expression hardened, and Judith’s heart dropped. She’d meant it to be a jest and a roundabout compliment, but Mr. Hatcher looked as strained as when he’d spied Miss Seton. Scouring her thoughts, Judith tried to seize upon an innocuous topic that would bring the young man out of his self-imposed silence.
But then her gaze fell to Mr. Byrnes, and thoughts of Mr. Hatcher fled. For all her determination to feel nothing towards the man, she couldn’t help the instinctual tightening of her throat at seeing him laugh over something Miss Stevenson said. Mr. Byrnes was surrounded by unmarried or widowed ladies, each vying for his attention, and he looked like a king at a feast.
Forcing her throat to loosen, she swallowed and batted such thoughts and feelings away. Judith was better served by thinking of her future and not his. And so, Judith ignored the scene she’d just witnessed and focused on the resolution she’d made in the church. No more thoughts of Mr. Byrnes. There were far more pressing concerns.
Turning her gaze to Mr. Hatcher, she found his gaze fixed on her, studying her with an intensity that had her cheeks flushing red. She tried to stem the reaction, but there was no hiding what he’d seen. The only thing to do now was to divert Mr. Hatcher’s attention elsewhere.
“Might I ask you a personal question?” she asked.
Mr. Hatcher’s brow lowered, his gaze holding the slightest hint of panic, and Judith felt as though the heat in her face would catch her bonnet aflame. No doubt the fellow thought it pertained to Mr. Byrnes or some other silliness, so Judith hurried to clarify.
“I wish for some advice concerning my finances.”
The anxiety eased, giving Mr. Hatcher as much of a relaxed appearance as he was wont to give. He stood there, spine straight, his eyes piercing hers with its unblinking intensity, yet it was the gaze of someone ready and able to seize upon a subject, not someone wishing to escape it.
In quick succession, she told him of her savings and all she’d related to Mr. Byrnes on the subject (though with far less emotion and confessions), and Mr. Hatcher listened to the whole thing in silence, his attention never faltering as she blathered on about her pitiful finances.
“Mr. Byrnes suggested I speak to you on the subject, but I haven’t wanted to bother you with such—”
“Nonsense,” he said with a shake of his head. “I know too well how important every pound can be. If handled properly, there is no reason I cannot grow it into a comfortable amount when it comes time for you to retire.”
And with that, Mr. Hatcher began speaking about interest rates, banks, investments, and a slew of financial terms that flew past her ears without making any impression. Judith’s eyes widened as a wealth of words spilled forth. She hadn’t realized Mr. Hatcher could string so many together, yet he proved himself quite capable of speaking when presented with the right subject.
“I’m afraid I do not understand any of what you’ve said.” Judith gave him an apologetic smile.
But Mr. Hatcher shrugged it off. “Most are not well educated on such matters, but I give you my word that if you entrust your savings with me, I will ensure it is properly managed.”
“Truly?” Judith’s heart lightened at the prospect, making her feel like a cloud floating about on the breeze. The weight of her finances had been so great for so long that she hadn’t realized how much it pressed down on her, but knowing Mr. Hatcher to be a young man of good character and intelligence, Judith felt certain all would be well on that score.
Instinct had words of gratitude bubbling to her lips, but one look at Mr. Hatcher’s face silenced them. Clearly, he did not care for such overt demonstrations, so she did what would make him happiest and let the subject drop.
“My thanks, Mr. Hatcher,” was all she allowed herself before turning her attention back to the gathering outside the church in time to see Miss Seton approaching from another angle. Judith shifted her stance and helped to block most of Mr. Hatcher as the young lady passed by them.
“My thanks, Miss Delmonte,” he said in return.
“You are most welcome, Mr. Hatcher.”
Chapter 22
Silas Byrnes didn’t think himself a prideful sort. Certainly, he had his shortcomings, but he didn’t count that among his failings. Yet with so much female attention pointed in his direction, even a humble man would be prone to preening.
Though his uncle had wished for him to marry quickly and establish a lineage that would continue the Byrnes name, even an heir needed something on which to live before the fortune settled on his shoulders. True, ladies had thought him dashing in his navy uniform, and the promise of a healthy inheritance had drawn attention, but his profession had consumed so much of his time that there was little opportunity to pursue anything beyond flirtations. And before Silas knew it, his wife had been chosen for him.
“Oh, you are too diverting, Mr. Byrnes,” said Miss Stevenson with a bright laugh that begged him to join in with her mirth, and so Silas did, though his smile grew a little strained as she rested a hand on his arm in a manner that was a little too forward for his tastes—though he couldn’t decipher if her behavior was merely that of someone who is generally overenthusiastic or that of a lady marking her territory for any interlopers.
Mrs. Armitage’s smile was far more demure, and her gaze landed on Miss Stevenson’s hand, though the lady did not seem put out about it. “I adore your tales of the sea. I would dearly love to travel to such exotic locales.”
“And where do you desire to visit most?” he asked.
But Miss Stevenson let out a heavy sigh and with a dreamy grin. “I would love to explore the Highlands. I’ve read such magnificent tales of the Scots, and I wish to see if they are as lively as they are portrayed.”
Silas forced himself not to raise his brows at the interruption or the pedestrian nature of her answer. Not that he faulted her for wishing to see such a place. Though he’d not been to that part of the country, he’d heard much of its beauty and wished to see it one day. However, with the entire hypothetical world at her disposal, Miss Stevenson had chosen someplace that was hardly more than a day or two away. By land.
Mrs. Armitage hid a smile, and when he turned his attention to her, she replied, “My list is long indeed, sir, but I do think I would have to say the Orient. It long ago captured my fancy, and I am determined to visit it someday.”
