‘You are amazing,’ Anna said.
‘I’m an idiot for trying to fool a wise child,’ he said frankly. ‘Now, what should I do?’
‘Kiss me and then we’ll have dinner.’
‘That’s hardly a punishment.’
‘It isn’t meant to be. I think that men usually underestimate the fairer sex,’ she said, then kissed him. ‘Don’t do that again.’
‘I won’t. Promise.’ He kissed her back. ‘Mrs Beattie, this could become a habit.’
Dinner was a hurried affair, after John announced to Madame Durand that he was returning to theSwallowto get the ship to sea as soon as possible. ‘Do tell Hector to have the pony trap ready after dark. We’ll get a better wind then.’
He was quiet through dinner, his thoughts miles away.
What are you thinking?Anna asked herself, wanting to ask him out loud, but not with the children there. There was a set look to his jaw, a resolve. She watched his face through two courses of Madame Durand’s delicious meal—amazing howproficient she was on short notice—and to the three cheeses dipped inmahonnaise, invented in Port Mahon, some said.
He spoke to Madame Durand. ‘Dear lady, would you let the children help you clear the table? I’d like a moment alone with my wife.’ He shook his head. ‘This is a short visit. We’ll be outside the sitting room. I like those canvas chairs on the veranda. If I fall asleep and start to snore, Mrs Beattie will nudge me.’
Madame Durand nodded. ‘I could do with their help.’ She leaned closer and spoke softly. ‘I can distract them far longer,Capitaine.’
‘No need. Let them help you in a leisurely fashion, then send them here. We’ll all enjoy the sunset.’
‘Mais oui.’ Madame marshalled her forces. ‘Come, children, you may eat the leftover titbits if you are efficient.’
When they left the dining room bearing dishes, John moved his chair closer. ‘I have a bold idea, one which I doubt you will approve of, but which I need done most particularly.’
‘That’s a little mysterious,’ she said.
He kept his hand on her thigh, as if drawing comfort from touch alone. ‘Needs must, Anna, needs must,’ he said finally, sounding tired.
They walked from the dining room to the sitting room, then through the glass doors onto the veranda, where he sank into a canvas chair. She pulled her chair closer, craving every second in his orbit. There was a chill in the evening air, which surprised her, considering that it was June in a warm spot in the universe, a beautiful island with seabirds quarrelling on the air currents and nesting birds rustling nearby, tending to little ones of their own.
‘I like it here,’ he said. ‘I do wish Admiral Collingwood could know the peace that I feel right now.’
‘He would if he had his wife and children near as you do, my love.’
He smiled atmy love, and she wondered, slightly panicked, if she had said that before. ‘I’m probably the envy of the fleet, except…’
She did not know what he would have said because Allan sneaked up behind him and covered his eyes, with Pru smiling beside him.
How many days like this is my husband permitted?she thought, hoping for many, but aware, as never before, of the cost of command.
‘I have a task for you, Pru,’ he said. ‘I wouldn’t ask it, but I am curious about something.’
‘Please, no,’ Anna whispered, suddenly knowing.
John touched her leg. ‘Trust me.’
Her mind raced back to the first time she had heard those words from him, a different man, a desperate man with no choice.
‘You still have no choice, do you?’ she said, her voice gentle because she truly understood him. ‘I do trust you.’
After a long look, her husband turned his attention to the matter at hand.
‘Pru, please satisfy my curiosity,’ he said. ‘I have been informed by my superior officer sitting here beside me that I am probably asking too much.’
‘What is it, sir?’
