Dani sighed. “Look, at the very least, I must know if Captain Bannock intends to be a proper landlord or return to sea. If he intends to return to sailing, how often? And I cannot tolerate this new aloofness. Everyone has a bad day, but if his detachment persists, I’m not sure I can move forward. I’ve no desire to spend every day making wild guesses about his regard for me.”
Amelia was nodding sagely. “Today will bring so many answers—you’ll see. He’s had time to gather his thoughts and reflect on your encounter in the library. He’ll be prepared to discuss all of it.”
“On a punting boat,” observed Dani. “With Lord Fernsby on the next seat. And you. What could go wrong?”
“Oh, never you fear about the viscount and me,” assured Amelia. “We’ll not interfere. When we are together, we are lost to the world around us. You will scarcely know we’re there.”
“Well,” said Dani, “that makes two of you.”
Amelia Broom had been consumed by her surprise courtship with Lord Fernsby. For hours, Dani had listened to every detail—and happily so. Lord Fernsby was an earnest and effusive suitor and Amelia welcomed the attention. Meanwhile, Dani’s union to Captain Bannock made no sense. He was the fiancé she did not want but offered the future that shedidwant. He was a troubling combination of alluring criminal and begrudging landlord.Andhe’d introduced her to a wild, raw passion, only to pull away with no explanation.
“Oh, look, there they are!” exclaimed Amelia. She waved to a boat easing its way under the footbridge. Captain Bannock and Lord Fernsby could be seen ducking their heads to clear the overhang.
“So they are,” mumbled Dani. On cue, her stomach flipped at the sight of him. “So they are.”
“Fernsby—no,” bit out Luke, stabbing the punting pole into the mush at the bottom of the river.
“Yes, Bannock—sorry, but yes. In this, I must beg your mercy.” James Fernsby clung to the seat of the punting boat, eyes squeezed shut. “I thought I could manage it, but I cannot.”
“For God’s sake, if there is a calmer, shallower river in all of England, I’ve not heard of it. Buck up, man. The River Len is so narrow, you could heave yourself to the bank in one thrust. You’re being ridiculous.”
“I am not afraid of the depth or the rapids—”
“Of which there are none, even in this wind...”
“—or the width. My anxiety manifests itself in boats of any kind. I warned you of this. I may never recover my easy relationship with the water. We cannot all be heroes, Bannock. The attack has left you unscathed but I am haunted, and never so much as when I’min a boat.”
“Why, then,” Luke gritted out, “did you tell these women we would swan about,” another punt, “in a boat,” he punted again, “on the River Len? I am relying on you and Miss Broom to accompany us. It’s not prudent for me to be alone with Danielle Allard—you know this.”
“Ha!” shot back Fernsby. “And you make light ofmyanxiety.”
“I am not anxious, James, I am trying very hard not to irrevocably destroy the girl’s goodwill—and therefore her usefulness.To me.Not to mention her reputation. You must find your courage. Come now, what will Miss Broom think?”
“Amelia will understand. We will stroll along the shoreline. You go ahead with Princess Danielle. We will observe you from afar.”
“Fernsby,”threatened Luke. He glared at the rapidly approaching dock on which stood the two women, holding their hats in the wind.
“Bannock,”Fernsby growled back.
“What of the favor you owe me?” demanded Luke. “This life debt? Because of me, you’ve lived to feel unsafe on punting boats and placid rivers. And what thanks do I get? You owe this to me.”
“I owe you nothing of the sort. Smile and wave, Bannock. Endeavor to be civil for five minutes. Hallo ladies!” Fernsby called to the women ahead.
“Fine,” said Luke. “You flop onto the bank, and I’ll take the two women alone.”
“No,”countered Fernsby, “you will not whisk Miss Broom away. I’ve arranged to spend the morning with Amelia Broom and I intend to do it. And I will thank you not to mention my anxiety to her. She is, perhaps, the only woman in England who’s encountered both of us and prefers me to you.”
“Bollocks, Fernsby, your uncle is the king. Women fall over themselves to have a go at being viscountess. What care have I for who fancies me, or you, or this punting pole? The point of today is for me to reveal to Danielle Allard that she is a princess. It is no small detail, and she should have her friend with her.”
“I disagree. I believe the two of you, alone, should navigate this conversation. Think on it Luke. It’s sure to be one of the most impactful and life-changing discussions of the girl’s life. Do you really want me, sweaty and terrified, on the next seat? No, you do not. Two things can happen at the same time; you can be sympathetic to the princessandhonor your friend.”
“My friend doesn’t need honor, he needs to be recovered. He’s rotting in a dungeon.” Luke brushed his glove over the fossil in his pocket.
“I know, I know, but he’s a tough old boot, and one more day cannot hurt. Use this outing to engender a greater understanding between yourself and the princess. The truth of her heritage is only the beginning of what she needs to know. She must learn of her inheritance in France. She must learn you intend to dangle her before Surcouf to rescue Mr. Welty. There is so much to be said, and Miss Bloom and I will only be in the way. We’ve told the girls’ parents that they’ll be home by four o’clock. My advice to you is to begin now with a handful of these difficult truths. They’ll inspire none of the romantic feelings you so fear, Bannock, I assure you—they’re too serious. When you tell her of your plan to raid a French castle, no chaperone will be required.”
“Fernsby,” Luke growled, refusing his logic. “?‘Engender a greater understanding’? This is no goal at all. We already understand each other far too much. I nearly ravished her in the Eastwell Park library because of our very great understanding.”
“It was always an ill-conceived plan, Bannock,” chided Fernsby. “You assumed your princess would be pining for France and resigned to her role as pawn. You’ve seen the error of this, and yet your plan persists. Fine. No one wants revenge on Surcouf more than me—but not at the expense of this young woman. If you mean to involve her, you must treat her like the living, breathing human woman that she is—with the wherewithal to make up her own mind. Tell her she’s a pivotal player in your rescue mission.Include her.In every way. Allow her to collaborate. If I had to guess, she’ll agree to help you if it means she gets her estate in the end. Regardless of what you think, I didn’t follow you to Kent because I enjoy your company, Bannock. I came to make certain you do not abuse or misuse a princess of the blood. Even if she is French.”
