The Captain's Letters

by Caylen McQueen

  Chapter Twenty

  It was Cecily's first ball and she was, perhaps unsurprisingly, surrounded by suitors. Being the incomparable beauty that she was, every gentleman took note as soon as she entered the room. Everyone wanted to acquaint themselves with the raven-haired angel in the lavender gown. Within minutes, the gentlemen descended.

  “Would you care to dance with me, Miss Wolfe?” asked one of her suitors—a man whose name she had already forgotten.

  “I suppose I--” When she started to answer, another suitor interrupted.

  “I think she looks a bit flushed? Perhaps she would like a bit of fresh air. A turn around the garden perhaps, or--”

  The gentleman who interrupted Cecily was interrupted by yet another beau demanding her attention. “The color of that dress seems to match your eyes, Miss Wolfe. They appear to be blue... but with tiny flecks of violet in them. They are very fetching, if I might say so!”

  “I thank you for the compliment, that is too kind of you Mr--”

  Again, she was interrupted. “A dance, Miss Wolfe!” It was the first suitor who spoke again—he was certainly persistent, she had to give him that. “I would very much like to know if you would be willing to dance with me.”

  “I believe I asked her first, Mr. Hudgens,” the third suitor protested.

  “You did not!” Mr. Hudgens sounded downright offended by the notion.

  “I did! As soon as I approached, I did. And I believe she has yet to answer either of us...”

  “Poor Miss Wolfe... you are suffocating her!” the second suitor chimed in. “If anything, she needs a moment to herself, to escape the attention of this ravenous mob!”

  “Sir Ryon, that is the most sensible thing that has been said!” Marie spoke up on Cecily's behalf. “I do believe my niece might be a bit... overwhelmed, at present. While I'm certain she enjoys the attention, I believe she would enjoy it even more if you were patient.”

  “Yes, Aunt Marie, thank you...” Cecily exchanged distressed glances with her aunt before turning her attention back to the men. For a moment, she quietly studied the faces of her three suitors. How did they expect her to choose? She was starting to feel a bit hopeless about the ordeal, when a forth gentleman added his voice to the chorus of suitors.

  “I'm afraid the young lady has already promised her first dance to me, gentlemen,” the man said. When Cecily saw the smiling face of Edward Rhodes, she breathed a secret sigh of relief. While she did not know him well, at least he was less of a stranger than the three men crowding around her. “Isn't that correct, Miss Wolfe?”

  “In... indeed.” Though she was taken by surprise, she was grateful for his intervention.

  “Then let us go.” Edward offered her an arm, and when she accepted it, his smile broadened. As he led her away from her sulking suitors, he said, “I hope you don't mind that I swooped in. You looked as if you needed a rescue.”

  “You read the situation well, Mr. Rhodes. Their attentions were... stifling.”

  “I hope you won't find my company quite as stifling.” He turned in her direction, encompassing her in his arms for the waltz.

  “Not at all. I confess I am already much more relaxed.”

  “Good. I'm glad to hear it.”

  As the waltz commenced, she said, “To be quite honest, I am not very graceful, so I am happy to have a good partner. You are quite an accomplished dancer, Mr. Rhodes.”

  “Am I?” He threw back his head and cackled quietly.

  “Is that funny?”

  “No... no, I appreciate the compliment. But in my youth, I must confess, I was a bit of a clumsy oaf.”

  “Truly? That is difficult to imagine.”

  “I was really rather hopeless. Ask your mother, if you don't believe me. She knew me then, and she can confirm that I had the grace of a three-legged calf.”

  “Were you really my mother's suitor?”

  Edward still had a bit of clumsiness in him. A part of him wanted to cease speaking altogether—at least during the waltz. If he did not focus most of his attention on the dance, he feared he would tread on her feet. “I was. Ages ago.”

  “Did you care for her?”

  “I... suppose.” His nose puckered as he was forced to remember being jilted. “Clearly, she did not care for me quite as much as I cared for her. Truly, it worked out for the best, for I cannot imagine my life any other way.”

  “You enjoy being a bachelor?”

  “I confess I do.” He watched her black curls bob as they danced. They really were rather adorable.

  “Are you... courting anyone?”

  Her question made his eyebrow raise. “Not presently, no.”

  “I... see.” When the dance ended, Cecily seized his arm and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Please do not force me to go back there! Misters Hudgens and... oh dear, I believe I've already forgotten the other two gentlemen, but I simply cannot return to them!”

  “I wouldn't dream of taking you back there.” As he led her to the opposite corner of the room, he hoped her chaperone would not disapprove of him whisking her away. “Let us hide over here... at least temporarily.”

  “They'll find me.” Cecily winced. “I know they shall...”

  “If they approach you, I'll say I've already claimed you for a second dance.”

  She grinned at him. “My savior!”

  “I aim to please. I never ignore a young damsel in distress!”

  As she studied his face, Cecily could not stop smiling. She was a somewhat timid girl, but there was something about Mr. Rhodes' pleasant disposition that immediately put her at ease. “After we met at the picnic, my mother said something rather interesting about you.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes. Mama said you are much more handsome now than you were in your youth.” When she saw his eyes swell, Cecily felt pleased with herself. “And I'm certain I would agree with her. I have always thought older men were much more handsome. Boyishness does not appeal to me.”

  “Have I gotten so ancient that I am now being called an older man?” Edward chortled at the thought. “I suppose I should not be surprised. To a young lady such as yourself, I suppose I am ancient.”

  “I would not call you ancient, Mr. Rhodes, but you are twice my age.”

  “Thank you, dear girl, for making me feel antiquated.”

  He was chuckling, so she hoped he was not offended. “I hope you don't feel as though I was insulting you...”

  “Not at all.” After a moment of hesitation, he asked bluntly, “Do you think your father loves your mother?”

  “I do. He acts like he does,” Cecily answered with a shrug. “Why do you ask? Are you jealous?”

  Edward nervously scratched the back of his neck. “No.”

  “Oh dear... you are jealous!” Cecily accused him, and playfully rapped his arm with the back of her hand. “Do you still have feelings for my mother?”

  “No. I'm still bitter, perhaps, but it happened ages ago. If she is happy, and your father truly loves her, I do not regret the outcome.”

  “So you say, Mr. Rhodes...” Cecily was adorably shaking her head as she spoke, which made her black curls fly. “So you say...”

  Across the room, Marie stood with Julian, where they secretly observed the exchange between Edward and Cecily.

  “It is odd, is it not?” Marie asked. “To see your nephew speaking to my niece?”

  “Is it?”

  “It is,” she insisted. “I am, I should remind you, her great aunt. I remember when I was Phoebe's chaperone and Mr. Rhodes was courting her as well.”

  “Do you think he's courting the young Miss Wolfe?” Julian sounded surprised.

  “I would say it's entirely possible. They danced, and he has not let her out of his sight ever since.” When they saw him leading Cecily onto the dance floor for a second time, Marie shook her head with disbelief. “See? It is not only possible, it's probable.”

  “Would you object to it?” Julian stared at a freckle on Ma
rie's neck as their conversation continued. Everything about her fascinated him—and she would never know.

  “I don't believe I would object to it outright, but neither could I support it. He is much older than her.”

  “Many gentlemen marry women who are much younger than them,” Julian pointed out.

  “I suppose, but that doesn't mean I must approve!” Marie's arms crossed as she watched her niece dance with her older beau. “What is man's fascination with younger women? When a man of forty marries a young girl just out of the schoolroom, I have to wonder what their discourse must be like. Do they have nothing in common? Does he think her a flibbertigibbet?”

  “Not every man is seeking a younger woman.” Unbeknownst to her, Julian's heart beat rapidly as he spoke. “I, for one, would be perfectly content with a woman my own age...”

  “Can you imagine trying to have a proper discussion with a girl of eighteen? Do common interests mean nothing?”

  “I am sure you get along with your niece well enough, and she is a young lady of eighteen... is she not?”

  “Indeed. But she is my niece, not the girl I aim to marry.”

  “If you disapprove of my nephew's advances, I suppose I could encourage him to... seek other interests.”

  “Oh, no! You needn't do that! He isn't so terribly old, and if she enjoys his company, I would try to be happy for them.”

  Julian tossed back his head and laughed loudly, so much so that he attracted attention from a pair of reproachful ladies who scowled at him behind their fans. “Good gracious! It sounds as if you expect them to marry!”

  “Is your nephew averse to the idea of marriage?” Marie inquired.

  “I don't believe so, no...”

  “I must say, Julian, the sight of them dancing makes me somewhat envious.” Marie glanced down at her gloved hands, which were fidgeting in front of her. “Three and fifty! Sometimes, I cannot believe so much time has passed. In my heart, I still feel like the same young woman who was courted and doted upon... the same woman who danced and savored life. But it is a bygone age, and I am no longer the same person.”

  “And why must you be a different person? Because of your age?” As he spoke, Julian was shaking his head. “That seems rather silly to me.”

  “But... I will never again be toast of the ton. I will never be beautiful, or have a thrilling life. My best days happened ages ago. Needless to say, I do miss those days.”

  “You are beautiful,” he protested. “Do not doubt that.”

  “I appreciate the compliment... truly. But I know I shall never be that sort of beauty again.” She motioned toward her impossibly pretty niece, whose smile was rampant as she danced with Edward Rhodes. “Do you ever wish you could go back to your youth, to do things differently, to have a second chance?”

  “I am certain everyone does,” Julian said. “I would be surprised if they did not.”

  “Sometimes, I like to close my eyes and imagine myself as a young woman...” Marie's eyelids lowered as she spoke. “And I imagine myself dancing again.”

  Julian's reply surprised her. “We could dance.”

  “You and I?” Marie looked baffled by the idea. “The waltz? Are you quite serious?”

  “I can think of no good reason why we shouldn't.” Julian held out his arm to her, as if he was making the decision for her. He hoped it would not take too much coaxing on his part. “You've been a chaperone to young ladies for too long. You should be allowed to have a bit of fun.”

  “But Julian, I--”

  “No protests.” He wagged his arm beside her, begging her to take it. “Come.”

  Marie surrendered quickly, for she could think of no reason to continue protesting. She accepted his arm, and he led her away to participate in the dance.

  And as the waltz commenced, and he stood closer to her than ever before, Julian tried very hard not to swoon.

  Chapter Twenty One

  When she was informed of Mr. Rhodes' arrival, Phoebe made the obvious assumption: he was there to see her. Before the picnic, it had been years since she saw him, and she had nearly forgotten how much she enjoyed his company. However, as soon as he entered, his eyes were drawn to Cecily, who had a knowing smirk on her lips when she saw him enter the drawing room.

  “Good day, Mrs. Wolfe, Miss Wolfe.” He swept off his hat and bowed slightly. “Thank you for receiving me. I trust you are well?”

  “Very well, Mr. Rhodes. And how are you?” Phoebe's tone was impossibly polite, for she did not yet know his intent.

  “I am always well,” he said. “And even more so, now that I have seen Miss Wolfe's face.”

  “Miss Wolfe?” Phoebe already sounded shocked. “Cecily?”

  “Indeed.” He stood in front of Cecily, stole her hand from her needlepoint, and gently kissed her knuckles. “You look lovely, as always.”

  “Cecily...” Phoebe whispered her daughter's name as she puzzled over the unbelievable prospect. “Edward... are you here to call on my daughter?”

  “I suppose I am.” He pulled a small pink flower from the pocket of his coat and presented it to the younger woman.

  “Oh my... you are giving me flowers now?” Cecily's smile widened as she accepted his small gift. “I confess, I find it surprising. I would not have taken you for the traditional sort.”

  “You don't approve?”

  “No, of course I approve!” Cecily exclaimed. “I am merely surprised. But I do love flowers, and your gift is precious!”

  As he sat beside her on the settee, he seemed oblivious to the fact that the girl's mother was glowering at him. “I nearly brought you a book instead, but I was not sure what you would enjoy reading.”

  “Oh, I read and enjoy nearly anything! I love the written word. My interests are quite diverse.”

  “Which is a fine quality.” He dared to glance in Phoebe's direction, and though she was shooting daggers with her eyes, he smiled at her. “Have any of your other suitors come to bother you? I'm curious to know how tenacious my competition is.”

  “No, you are the first, Mr. Rhodes,” Cecily informed him. “And you are not bothering me! Far from it! I am very grateful to have your company.”

  “Would you be less grateful if it was Mr. Hudgens visiting you?”

  “I wish I could disagree... but I'm afraid that's entirely true. I would not be quite so happy to see Mr. Hudgens or...” For a moment, Cecily's voice trailed off. “Oh dear. I'm afraid I've forgotten their names yet again! Is that very shameful?”

  “Not at all, for I'm afraid I don't remember them either. The poor fellows...” He watched her twirl the flower between her fingers, then she raised it to her nose to inhale its scent. It was such a simple gesture, but Edward thought she looked beyond adorable. “You would never forget me, I hope?”

  “Never!” she exclaimed. “You left a much larger impression on me. To be quite honest, Mr. Rhodes, I...”

  She did not complete her thought, so he pressed her for more. “You...?”

  “I... I have been looking forward to seeing you again.” When she finished her thought, Cecily's face was blushing furiously. “You are the only gentleman I cared to see again...”

  In the corner of his eye, he could see the girl's mother shaking her head disapprovingly. So Phoebe wouldn't hear him, he lowered his voice and leaned a bit closer to Cecily. “I think you are very beautiful,” he whispered.

  “Oh dear...” Despite being undeniably pretty, Cecily was unaccustomed to hearing compliments from men. “I... I thank you, Mr. Rhodes. You are too kind. And... and you are also very handsome.”

  “Am I?” One of his sandy eyebrows raised. “I did not think such a lovely young girl would ever think I was handsome.”

  “Oh, but you are!” Cecily laid her hand on top of Edward's, which deepened her mother's scowl. “The way your nose crinkles when you smile... I think it is adorable!”

  “Does it?” He chuckled at her observation. “I never noticed.”

  “You should f
ind a looking glass and smile at your reflection, then you shall see what I mean.”

  “Won't I look like a bit of a fool, smiling at myself?”

  “Only a bit.” Cecily flirtatiously rapped his arm. “And that is why you must do it when no one else is around!”

  “In truth, I find it difficult to smile unless I'm truly happy. Happiness is not an emotion I can easily feign...” He smirked at her. “So if you happen to see me smiling around you constantly, remember what that means.”

  “Does my company make you happy, Mr. Rhodes?”

  “Exceedingly so.” Again, he leaned toward her and whispered, “Ever since the moment I saw you, I have been dying to kiss you, Miss Wolfe...”

  Disapproving of their intimacy, Phoebe cleared her throat. When they turned in her direction, they both tried to look as innocent as possible. “Mr. Rhodes, might I have a word?”

  “Of course,” he said. “You may say anything you would like.”

  “In private,” Phoebe added, then rose from her chair and motioned for him to follow her into the hallway. Cecily shot her beau a pitying glance as he exited the room. Whatever her mother wanted to say, Cecily doubted it would be pleasant.

  “Mr. Rhodes. Edward.” Phoebe reprovingly shook her head. “What on earth do you think you are doing? Is courting my daughter what you truly intend to do?”

  “It is. And I cannot imagine why you would disapprove. You know my character, and you must know I'm not a terrible sort.”

  “You once courted me,” she sharply reminded him. “And... I jilted you. Is this some sort of belated attempt to exact revenge upon me?”

  “Absolutely not! Your daughter is a lovely young woman. The loveliest. My interest in her has nothing to do with you, I'm afraid.” Edward crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, a bit lackadaisically. “Whether she was your daughter or not, I would pursue her. And she is, I daresay, interested in me as well.”

  “This is a nightmare!” Phoebe clasped her palms against her face in despair. “You want to do this to me, Mr. Rhodes... truly?”

  “What is a nightmare?”