“Dani,”breathed Amelia.
“Yes,” conceded Dani, looking down the river, “no one was more shocked than me.”
“And you were not afraid?”
“Afraid? Oh no. I was dazzled. And intrigued. Honestly, I liked it very much.”
“And that is why you agreed to marry him? On the spot?”
Dani wrinkled her nose at her friend. “Probably?” She’d asked herself this question a hundred times in the last two days.
“I consented to marry him because of the kiss,” she said, ticking off reasons, “and the promise of what might come after the kiss. And Eastwell Park, of course. And everything I’d just read about this incredible tragedy he’d suffered with his crew and his ship. All of that combined into a moment of resounding affirmation. For better or worse.”
“But then he became cross?”
Dani turned her face into the wind. “He wasn’t cross, he simply sort of... detached himself. I might not have felt it so profoundly except for the intimacy we’d just shared. His remoteness was such a contrast to the kiss—less personal, more formal. Not rude, simply... withheld. He’d been asking me about marriage for two days, and when I acquiesced, it was like I’d agreed to join him in a business venture. It was not the rapport of a future husband and wife, but of colleagues.”
“No more kissing,” recounted Amelia.
“No more kissing, far less touching, the tour of the house ended—he claimed he needed to deliver me home immediately, despite the fact that we’d not seen the upper floors. In the wagon, we barely spoke. And now he has this strong preference for chaperones with absolutely no so-called private encounters.”
“He simply told you this?”
Dani took a deep breath and exhaled. “He did tell me—yes. And when we reached home, he spoke privately to Whittle.”
“About a chaperone?”
“I suppose. My parents will not discuss it except to say there are to be no more private outings until we’re properly wed. You saw how tongue-tied they were about the betrothal on the first day? Well, now they won’t broach the topic at all.”
“Even so, Dani. You’re about to be married to a war hero and mistress of Eastwell Park. Think of it.”
“Yes,” mused Dani. “Thinking on it has been my only option, hasn’t it? I’ve not seen the captain in two days.”
“Perhaps he enjoyed kissing you so much, the very passion of it frightened him. Perhaps he fears losing control.” Amelia sounded delightfully scandalized by this notion.
“This is a man who battled sharks and thirst and hunger to tread water for days. I hardly think someone like me can inspire fear.”
“But he did leave town immediately after the Eastwell Park tour,” reminded Amelia.
“He went to arrange the marriage license,” said Dani. “And I was left to canvass Eastwell Park with you. And Miriam and Whittle. Trust me, there are no hidden clues.”
“Perhaps it’s no more complicated than it seems,” said Amelia. “For your part, what could Captain Bannock do to make you feel at peace? About the wedding?”
“Well, he’ll need the license,” said Dani, “first things first.”
“Yes, you mentioned that he’s sorted the license.”
“And I must have some understanding about why I was chosen for this betrothal by the Prince Regent. Why not you? Why not Margaret Wells?”
“First of all, Margaret Wells is far too young for the captain, I don’t care what Lord Fernsby says.”
“Wait. What says Lord Fernsby?”
Amelia continued as if she hadn’t heard. “And I am not known throughout the village for my civic engagement, am I? I’ve not collected grants for the parish hall. Your reputation in the town precedes you, Dani. Ask anyone.”
“I assure you if the Prince Regent had been asked, he would not know of my civic engagement. I’m doubtful he can locate Ivy Hill on a map.”
Amelia gasped. “Never say it.”
