Courted by the Captain

by Anne Herries

  Lucy glanced at herself in the mirror; her gown was a silver-grey lace and charming. She wore it with a chain of silver links with tiny pink sapphires hanging from it about her neck. ‘I prefer white or pink, or perhaps yellow, but those colours would not be suitable. This gown will do very well for the moment.’

  Jenny reached for her hand. ‘How do you feel now, dearest? Sometimes you seem almost your old self, but at others I see that you are still unhappy.’

  ‘I do not feel as guilty as I did,’ Lucy confessed. ‘Mama says she understands that I had doubts about my wedding—and she would have supported me had I chosen to draw back. It is not my fault that Mark was—’ She broke off, unable to say the terrible word. ‘I do miss him, Jenny—but there are others I miss as much.’

  ‘It would have been a mistake to marry him then, for unless one is loved...’ said Jenny. ‘Do you care for Lord Mallory at all? I noticed on our picnic that he was very attentive to you.’

  ‘I like him, of course—and Mama thinks him suitable—but if he asks I shall say I am not ready. I do not wish to form an attachment yet. Next time I shall be certain of my heart before I accept a proposal of marriage.’

  Jenny nodded. She suspected she knew what was troubling her friend, but so far Lucy had not confessed it.

  ‘It was a pity that Hallam and Paul called when we were out,’ she said, watching Lucy’s face intently.

  ‘Yes...’ Lucy sighed. ‘I had hoped they might be at Padstowe’s dance, but it seems they have another engagement.’

  Jenny agreed. She was almost sure she was right in thinking Lucy cared for Paul, but would say nothing until her friend decided to confide in her.

  ‘Lucy, Jenny...are you ready?’

  Lady Dawlish’s voice calling from downstairs made them turn as one towards the door. It was time to leave for the evening and Jenny could not help feeling pleased because she had been told that Adam would be there that evening. He’d called more than once since that night at the theatre and they had unfortunately missed him. Now at last she would see him and, despite knowing that he probably felt merely friendship towards her, she longed to see him, talk to him.

  * * *

  Adam saw Jenny across the crowded room and swore beneath his breath. No one had mentioned that they would be here this evening. He knew that Lady Dawlish had refused to attend the public assemblies and he’d imagined she would feel the same about this dance. Here she was and he could not help looking at Jenny and wishing that he were free to go at once to her side and ask her to dance with him. She looked cool, charming and beautiful, a young woman that any man might wish to make his wife. Adam would have been a fool had he not noticed the eyes turned in her direction. She did not laugh often, but when she did her face lit up from within and the sound was enchanting. He wanted to take her in his arms and dance with her all night.

  However, it would not do to become involved with her this evening—his business with Fontleroy was too dangerous. He did not want to chance something happening to her. If the marquis knew that she meant something to him, he might try to use her against him. Much as he wanted to speak to her, it would be best to wait—to make the meeting casual rather than show his eagerness.

  Lady Dawlish had taken her place with the other dowagers and those ladies who had no intention of dancing. Seated at a little table, where other ladies were playing cards or eating some of the tempting morsels being served by waiters, she glanced about the room and nodded to him. Lucy had taken her place beside her mama and was looking about her with interest—and a gentleman had immediately taken the seat next to her.

  So Mallory was interested in Lucy? He was a decent enough fellow, but Paul would not care to see the familiarity in his manner towards the girl. Lady Dawlish had seen Adam and was beckoning to him. He smothered a sigh and began to make his way towards her. As he did so, he saw Fontleroy approach the table and ask something of Jenny.

  He was clearly asking her to dance, but in the next moment another gentleman had presented himself. Jenny appeared to apologise to the marquis and accepted Sir James Justus’s hand. A set was forming for a country dance and she had clearly promised it before the evening began.

  Seeing the annoyance in Fontleroy’s eyes, Adam knew that the marquis was furious, but trying to conceal it. He waited until the man walked off before presenting himself to Lady Dawlish.

  ‘Adam, my dear,’ she said and smiled up at him. ‘At last we meet. I understand you called again the other day, but we were all out once more.’

  ‘I have been unfortunate several times for you were either out or I saw you leave.’

  ‘That is a pity,’ the lady said. ‘Your cousins found us at home the other day. They were unable to come this evening, because they had other engagements. I wanted to ask—you will not be offended if Jenny dances a few times this evening?’

  ‘Why should she not, ma’am?’ His eyes followed her as she made her way gracefully through the dance. ‘She is not in mourning. She did not know my cousin.’

  ‘Lucy does not intend to dance—but I wished Jenny to have the chance. She was in mourning all last winter and this spring for her father. I think Sir James likes her very well, but she may meet other gentlemen. I fear she does not like Fontleroy, though he is persistent in his suit of her. He called at the house several times, but I was forced to deny her for she would not see him.’

  ‘Do you know why, ma’am?’

  ‘I think it just a young woman’s fancy,’ Lady Dawlish said. ‘If you should decide to dance, I would take it kindly if you were to ask Jenny for the waltz. I know she loves it of all things.’

  ‘I did not intend it,’ Adam said. ‘I came for cards and conversation—as you do, ma’am.’

  ‘Yes, I thought it might be so.’ Lady Dawlish sighed. ‘Jenny cannot dance more than twice with Sir James or it will be remarked and I do not think she is ready for that yet.’

  ‘Indeed?’ Adam’s mouth suddenly tasted of ashes. It was a highly unsuitable match in his opinion. Sir James was a dull dog and would not make her happy. His resolve to abstain from dancing crumbled. ‘Perhaps one dance—to oblige you, ma’am,’ he said. ‘I will ask Miss Jenny to reserve it when she returns.’

  He watched Jenny as she danced with her admirer. She smiled at him and laughed once, as if at a joke, but he could see nothing in her manner to suggest that she thought of him as a future husband. Of course she had little choice in her circumstances. If she wanted a home of her own, she must marry sooner rather than later—and Sir James was very suitable, if too old and too set in his ways. Far more suitable than the marquis, who Adam noted was staring at her in a brooding fashion.

  Clearly the marquis felt he had rights over her and resented the attention Sir James was paying Jenny. When the dance ended and they began to make their way back to Lady Dawlish, Fontleroy intercepted and caught hold of her arm. She tried to pull away, a look of such disgust in her eyes that Adam was stung into action. Without thinking of what he risked, he walked quickly to her side.

  ‘I believe this is our dance, Miss Jenny?’

  She turned to him with such a look of relief that Adam’s heart caught. He knew then that, even if he risked his carefully laid plans to trap the marquis, he had done what must be done.

  ‘Yes, thank you, sir,’ she said and avoided looking at the marquis. ‘I believe this is our dance...’ then, looking at Fontleroy, ‘I shall dance only twice this evening for Lucy may not dance and I shall not desert her. Perhaps another time, sir.’

  Fontleroy looked at her and then at Adam. His hands clenched at his sides and it was clear that he was battling his temper. His jaw hardened and he turned and walked away, heading for the card room.

  ‘I fear you have made an enemy of him,’ Adam said, gazing down at her. ‘You should be careful for he is not to be trusted.’

  ‘He...he asked m
e to marry him in London,’ Jenny said. ‘I refused him, but he will not take no for an answer and persists in pursuing me. I dislike him very much. I cannot understand why he thinks he will change my mind—or why he wishes to marry me.’

  ‘You are very pretty,’ Adam said and guided her on to the floor. The music they were playing was a waltz and he held her at the correct distance, a gloved hand in the middle of her back. ‘How fortunate that it should be a waltz. Lady Dawlish told me that you love to waltz.’

  ‘Yes, I do. It is my favourite dance of all, if my partner is accomplished, and you certainly are, sir.’

  Adam laughed, for it was just the sort of answer he had expected her to give. He was beginning to know her and to like her more and more—she was exactly the kind of woman he had always hoped to marry. Amusing, pretty, good tempered and intelligent. He wanted time to spend with her, time to discover if they liked the same music, books and pastimes.

  ‘Waltzing was a requirement for all Wellington’s officers. He thought it a part of our duty to entertain the ladies and we were all instructed to attend the duchess’s ball the evening before Napoleon was sighted and we had to leave quickly...’

  ‘Yes, I heard about it,’ Jenny said, her face glowing as she looked up at him. She was so lovely and as light as thistledown in his arms. Adam felt the desire burn deep in his loins, which was inconvenient when dancing, but it seemed that whenever she was close to him he felt the need to hold her tighter and kiss her until she melted into him. He wanted to draw her nearer, to feel the softness of her body pressed against his, but, had he done so, she must have been aware of his urgent desire and so he maintained the required distance by exerting his iron will. ‘It is pleasant to see you here this evening, sir. I had hoped to see you sooner.’

  ‘I have called,’ Adam said. He had never felt this way with a young woman of quality before and his throat caught with emotion as he gazed down into her lovely face. God, how he wanted her! His breeches felt uncomfortably tight—but he should not be thinking of his own needs or desires. He had important business this night and must keep a cool head. ‘Forgive me, Jenny. I have much on my mind at the moment—and my business is dangerous. I would not involve you at such a time.’

  He felt the shiver run through her, her eyes dark as she gazed up at him, concern in her face. ‘Have you discovered who the...culprit is?’

  ‘Yes, I have, though as yet I do not have sufficient proof,’ he said. ‘After our dance I shall go into the card room and then in a little while I shall leave. I have business this evening, which, with luck, may solve our little problem.’

  ‘Will you be in danger?’ she asked, her eyes opening wide. Her hand trembled a little in his and he held it tighter, wanting to comfort her.

  ‘Yes, perhaps I may...’ Adam hesitated, then, ‘If anything should happen to me—or you should hear ill of me—promise me you will keep your distance from Fontleroy.’

  ‘The marquis...’ Jenny’s gaze narrowed. ‘I think I see...yes, now it comes to me. What I saw that day... It struck a chord with me, but I could not think what was familiar, but now I see it. There is the way he hunches one shoulder. It was there at the back of my mind all the time. I believe it was he I saw coming from Mark’s room. The wicked man...’

  ‘Forgive me, I should not have said. If he guessed that you had remembered, you might be in danger.’ Adam pressed her hand. ‘Yet I had to warn you for I could not bear that anything should harm you.’

  ‘Thank you,’ she whispered, her cheeks pink. She kept her eyes down and would not look at him. ‘I shall remember your warning, sir—but I pray you to take care. I would be distressed if...’ She was too emotional to continue. He pressed her hand and she glanced up, her eyes revealing so much that had been better concealed. He felt the pain slash through him, for he could not say the words he needed to say—the words she was entitled to hear.

  The music was coming to an end and she shook her head, as if recalling that they were in a crowded room. Adam smiled and stood still for a moment, his hand still pressed against her back, one finger stroking as if to comfort her. Then he released her, but kept hold of her right hand, leading her back to Lady Dawlish.

  ‘I shall hope to call on you soon,’ he said. It was with reluctance that he bowed to her and left her with her friends.

  Given the freedom to do so, he would have liked to continue to dance with her throughout the evening and then perhaps to lead her outside into the garden as the dance ended and kiss her. Her mouth looked so soft and ready to be kissed, but he could not risk it. Should Fontleroy be the winner of their contest this night, Jenny could suffer if he’d paid her too much attention. He had already risked much by coming between the two earlier.

  Besides, his own problems were unresolved. His grandfather’s estate was still deep in debt. As yet Adam had no prospects and nothing to offer the girl he found more and more delightful each time they met. Why should she take him when there were others with more fortune to recommend them?

  Forcing himself to walk away from her, Adam made his way to the card room. He saw that Fontleroy was watching the proceedings, but had not sat down at the tables. As soon as Adam was seen, he was hailed and invited to join one of the tables. He smiled and accepted the invitation, noticing the scowl on Fontleroy’s face as he sat down.

  So the marquis was impatient to get on with the evening’s business and recover his property. It could not be better. Adam was of a mind to keep him waiting for a while. The more frustrated the marquis became, the more likely he was to make a mistake.

  * * *

  Jenny was asked to dance by several gentlemen after she sat down with her companions. One of them was a very handsome gentleman with large side-whiskers. He was dressed in the uniform of the Hussars and looked at her as if he truly wished to dance with her. However, having told the marquis she would dance only two dances, she could not change her mind.

  ‘I do not dance again this evening,’ she told him and smiled. ‘Forgive me, but my friends are still in mourning and Lucy may not dance. I shall not do so again tonight—but perhaps another time?’

  He bowed and clicked his heels and then went off to dance with someone else. Jenny felt only relief. She had enjoyed her dance with Adam so much that she did not wish to dance with anyone else. It had been the most perfect moment, transporting her to a place she had never been. As he held her she had known such exquisite happiness—and something she realised must be desire. She had danced with many handsome gentlemen in the past, but never had she felt such exquisite pleasure. Adam’s unique scent had made her pulses race and her stomach spasm. She had wished their dance might go on for ever and felt bereft as he walked away.

  Had he not had another engagement she would have hoped for another dance later, but he’d made it clear he would not ask again that evening. She knew that he had more important business and feared that he might be in danger. He could not think of her at such a time.

  Yet he had looked down at her in such a way! Insensibly, Jenny felt her heart soar. Once again he had seemed to show some preference for her—she was the only lady he’d asked to dance and surely that meant something?’

  ‘Captain Miller did not intend to dance this evening,’ Lady Dawlish told her, smiling comfortably. ‘I asked if he would dance with you just once—and I see he did so. Why will you not dance again, my love? Lucy does not mind.’

  Had he asked only because Lady Dawlish asked? Jenny considered, but decided that Adam would dance only if he wished—and the way he’d held her suggested that he, too, had felt pleasure as they danced.

  Jenny had noticed her friend’s foot tapping to the music and knew that, despite her determination not to, Lucy was longing to dance. To continue dancing throughout the evening would have made it unbearable for Lucy to sit and watch.

  ‘It is hardly fair when Lucy may not dance,’ Jenny said and smiled a
t her friend. ‘Besides, there is no one else I wish to dance with—and I told the marquis I would not.’

  ‘Ah, then you may not,’ Lady Dawlish said. ‘Pray tell me if you can, my love—why do you dislike him so?’

  ‘It is something in the way he looks at me—and when I danced with him in London, he held me too close. I was aware of his...I felt very uncomfortable and decided I should not dance with him again.’

  ‘Indeed, then you must not dance with him, especially a waltz, for it is unpleasant to be held close to a man one does not like. Well, you can enjoy yourself watching for the rest of the evening—and we’ll have a hand of cribbage if you wish, for a board can be brought and we have friends to play with,’ Lady Dawlish said and passed a bonbon dish. ‘These are very good, Jenny. They taste of almond.’

  Jenny thanked her and took one. She looked towards the card room, but there was no sign of Adam, though she continued to look for almost an hour and a half at intervals.

  * * *

  It was at ten thirty that she saw him leave and go out of the house. A moment or so later she saw the marquis follow. Her heart began to thump and she could not help being afraid for Adam.

  He’d warned her that he was involved in something dangerous—and if Fontleroy was responsible for his cousin’s death, as she now suspected, Adam might be in danger.

  She glanced about her, but there was no one she could ask for help or tell of her suspicions concerning the marquis. If only Hallam or Paul was here, she would not hesitate to communicate her fears. What could she do? Knowing she was helpless, Jenny fretted over her inability to do anything for some minutes. Then it occurred to her to wonder why they were not present for the cousins had almost always done everything together and she knew that they were all in Bath. A comforting thought occurred to her and her expression lightened.

  Adam Miller was not a fool. She suspected that he would not risk his life without taking some precautions.

  Were Hallam and Paul watching and waiting for whatever was to happen that night?