Shipwrecked with the Captain

by Diane Gaston

  The few younger ladies present and some of the older ones flocked around Lucien, as well they should. He was a true hero. None of them could comprehend just how heroic he had been; saving her in so many ways. Her heart felt full to bursting at the mere sight of him, but it was excruciating not to be in his company, sharing everything with him.

  Lord Stonecroft approached her with a petulant look. ‘If I might have your leave, I will retire to the card room.’

  ‘You must do as you like,’ she responded.

  It did not take long after that for people to drift away, attracted by other conversations. Claire found herself alone. With a glance to where Lucien still was surrounded by admirers, she walked to one of the chairs set against the wall.

  And forced herself not to look at Lucien.

  Lucien noticed the minute Lord Stonecroft left her side. He watched her walk to the chairs and sit by herself.

  What sort of gentleman would leave a lady alone?

  Lady Rebecca certainly looked the part of an earl’s daughter at this entertainment. The gown was obviously new and looked lovely on her. The pale blue under the sheer overdress shimmered in the candlelight from the chandelier. She looked composed as Stonecroft walked her around the room and gracious when he introduced her to someone. And only slightly uncomfortable when she was questioned about the shipwreck.

  He’d never expected the story they gave to the Dublin reporter would reach London and Bath. Or that it would have been greeted with such interest by these people.

  Lucien had been proud of her praise of the fishermen, even though she might have answered differently if she had remembered her life before the shipwreck when fishermen would have been a class way below hers.

  Had she been worried they would question her about before the shipwreck? All that she did not remember? Although she looked so poised, perhaps she knew she could handle those questions even about what she did not remember. She looked as if she’d settled in quite well.

  As soon as he could, he extricated himself from the ladies who were much too enthralled by something any man would have done in the same situation.

  He made his way over to Lady Rebecca. ‘May I sit with you?’

  She looked up in surprise, but her eyes turned warm when she saw it was him. ‘Please do.’

  He sat next to her. He’d become so used to being at her side over these last weeks that he’d felt out of kilter since leaving her at Stonecroft’s.

  ‘How is your shoulder?’ she asked.

  He touched his wound and winced. ‘It is healing.’

  Her expression became concerned. ‘I hope you are taking care of it.’

  ‘Cullen makes certain of that,’ he said.

  She smiled at that.

  ‘I thought you would be off to London by now,’ she said after a pause.

  He would travel to London as soon as he knew she would do well.

  But he said, ‘Sir Richard has made a house guest of me. I believe I’ll keep him company for a while. I hope Sir Richard will help Cullen get a position here in Bath.’

  ‘Ella will be pleased.’ She smiled. ‘We will be practically neighbours, will we not?’

  He’d missed her smiles these last two days.

  ‘But what of getting a ship?’ she asked.

  ‘I’ve written to the Admiralty.’ He changed the subject. ‘How are you faring?’

  ‘Well enough.’ She took a deep breath. ‘Although I cannot shake the feeling that I am out of place.’

  He gazed at her. ‘You look like you were born and bred to be right here, in this sort of company.’

  Her cheeks flushed with colour. ‘Miss Attwood would have it no other way, I am certain.’ She added, ‘Neither would Stonecroft for that matter.’

  ‘Has he been good to you?’ Lucien had intended to be less direct.

  ‘I should have no complaints.’

  Which made him suspect she did have complaints. ‘What complaints should you not have?’

  She glanced away as if considering how to answer. ‘He is a bit too concerned about what I wear. Apparently I am to have an entire new wardrobe.’

  ‘Is that not what any woman would desire?’ he asked.

  She tilted her head. ‘It seems so extravagant. There is nothing wrong with the beautiful dresses you bought me in Dublin.’

  ‘They are out of fashion, I suspect,’ he said. ‘Otherwise why would anyone give them away?’

  She waved a hand as if saying that was a trifle.

  ‘Other than that complaint?’ he persisted.

  ‘It is just strange.’ She turned her gaze on him. ‘I suppose because we have spent so much time in very humble places—except the hotel in Dublin, of course. The only rooms in which I feel comfortable are unfurnished ones, the ones meant to become a nursery or a schoolroom.’ Her gaze turned intent. ‘I have this strange thought of little girls at a table in a schoolroom. Do you suppose that is a memory?’

  He sat up straighter. ‘It might be. Do you think you are remembering a part of your life?’

  She shook her head. ‘It feels like I am simply imagining it.’

  A violin began playing Haydn in the balcony, joined by another violin, a viola and a cello.

  ‘Do they dance at these affairs, I wonder?’ she asked.

  He certainly did not know. ‘I am less accustomed to events like this than you must be.’

  Lucien had no great fondness for dancing, but this night he wished he might dance with her.

  ‘How—how long might you stay in Bath?’ she asked.

  It depended on her. ‘I do not know. A few days perhaps.’

  ‘Look at the two of you.’ The lady who had first recognised him as the rescuer from the shipwreck in the newspaper stood in front of them. She sat down. ‘What a bond must be formed between you when you survive such danger!’

  Yes. A bond. Lucien agreed.

  ‘Captain Roper will always be important to me,’ Lady Rebecca told her. ‘I wish his happiness above all things.’

  The lady patted her hands. ‘That is so dear.’ She clutched one hand and squeezed. ‘Now you must tell me the reason you are in the company of Stonecroft, though. There are quite a few of us who are pining to know.’

  Lady Rebecca did not answer right away. ‘I suppose you could say Lord Stonecroft is courting me.’

  The woman grinned. ‘We thought so! About time. He’s been a widower for over twenty years. He is a good catch, my dear. Doesn’t gamble much. Doesn’t carouse. Has a respectable fortune.’

  ‘So I understand,’ Lady Rebecca responded.

  He also seemed to think anyone below him in status was his to command, Lucien thought. And he lacked empathy about her loss of memory. Would he ever care what Lady Rebecca endured?

  Lucien hoped she would have the courage to stand up to Stonecroft if he ignored her wishes or her needs. This Lady Rebecca had courage not seen in many men. Lucien hoped she would not lose that courage when her memory returned.

  Which he thought could be imminent. Lady Rebecca’s thoughts of a schoolroom could mean cracks had formed in the wall around her memory.

  Other guests walked over and joined the conversation with them. The chance to be alone with her had disappeared.

  * * *

  Servants began setting up the room for supper and when the supper was called Lord Stonecroft emerged from the card room and found Claire sitting with Lucien.

  He acknowledged Lucien with a slight nod and extended his hand to her. ‘Come, Lady Rebecca. Let us be seated for the supper.’

  She rose, but turned back to Lucien. ‘Take care, Captain.’

  He nodded. ‘And you, as well.’

  After Stonecroft led her a few steps away, he said in a snappish tone, ‘Did you keep company with Captain Roper all this time?’

  ‘Not all
the time,’ she replied. ‘He joined me where I was seated.’

  ‘With that newspaper piece, you must be careful. Respectable ladies are not written about in newspapers. It is only a matter of time before someone suggests something more scandalous between you and this Captain.’

  She bristled. ‘Do not speak ill of the man who saved my life.’

  ‘I am not speaking ill,’ he retorted, his voice low. ‘I am saying that people gossip.’

  ‘I cannot stop people from gossiping.’ Really. What did he think?

  A footman held the chair for Claire and they sat down. They were seated at the hostess’s table.

  ‘I am not happy that you were written of in a newspaper like the Chronicle,’ Stonecroft went on.

  She shot back, ‘When we told the story to the reporter from the Dublin paper, how were we supposed to know it would appear in the Chronicle?’

  He looked aghast. ‘You spoke to a reporter?’

  ‘Better he know the real story than to have one he made up.’

  He was annoying her greatly.

  If she looked at Lord Stonecroft through his sister’s eyes, she could see something to admire about him. The warmth between him and Lady Milliforte lent credence to that impression. But with her he seemed condescending and overbearing. Perhaps if she recovered her memory, she would remember something she had liked about him. So far, the only redeeming quality she knew he possessed was the love he’d had towards his first wife.

  She tried to keep that in mind as she ate the supper and answered more questions about the shipwreck, this time from the gentlemen seated at the table.

  Stonecroft frowned through the whole conversation.

  After the supper was done, Stonecroft turned to Lady Milliforte. ‘Iona, may we have your leave? I am quite fatigued.’

  They were leaving? It seemed early. She’d hoped for another chance to speak with Lucien.

  ‘Of course, Jonas,’ Lady Milliforte responded. ‘So lovely of you to come and to bring your Lady Rebecca with you.’ She turned to Claire. ‘I hope we see more of you, my dear.’

  Claire put down her glass of wine. ‘Thank you, my lady.’

  She rose and Stonecroft led her out of the room. There was no chance to even say goodbye to Lucien, although her gaze caught his as she passed by.

  They walked through the Octagon Room and the magnificent ballroom to the entrance of the Assembly Rooms where she retrieved her red cloak, the one that was not good enough for Stonecroft. They again climbed into the detestable sedan chairs and she was carried the short distance to the Royal Crescent.

  When they entered the house, Lord Stonecroft looked shrunken and even older than before.

  He turned to her. ‘May I escort you to your room?’ He sounded weary.

  She took his arm.

  As they ascended the steps, he said, ‘I should not have taken you away from the party so early. I was not thinking you might want to stay longer.’

  This was close to an apology. It helped.

  When they reached the first floor she said, ‘If you are fatigued, you need not take me to my room. I can leave you here.’ No need for him to climb another flight of stairs.

  ‘Very well, I will say goodnight to you here.’ But rather than walk to his room, he took her hand and leaned towards her, placing his lips on to hers.

  The only kisses she remembered were Lucien’s. Lucien’s lips lit a fire inside her that made her wish to abandon all propriety. Lord Stonecroft’s kiss left her cold. As soon as she could, she drew away from him.

  ‘Goodnight, sir,’ she said. She turned to the stairs and hurried up them before he had a chance to kiss her again.

  She walked swiftly to her bedchamber door and opened it.

  Ella stood up from one of the chairs. She rubbed her eyes. ‘You are back?’

  Claire untied her cloak and handed it to Ella. ‘Early, I know.’

  Ella took the cloak from her hands. ‘I’ll fold it and put it away.’

  ‘I have something else to tell you,’ Claire said. ‘Lucien did not leave Bath. He is staying in the Circus with a naval admiral he once served with. At least for a few days.’

  ‘The Circus?’ Ella asked from the dressing room.

  ‘The buildings built in a circle,’ she explained.

  ‘Oh! I remember it! That is close by.’ Ella skipped back to the bedchamber. ‘The Captain said he might ask a friend to help Cullen find a position.’

  This made Claire happy. She had no wish to separate the two lovers. ‘This means Cullen will be nearby. We must devise a way to let him know that you can see him whenever you wish.’

  ‘Whenever I wish? Thank you, m’lady.’ She danced over and hugged her, but let go quickly. ‘What about the Captain? Will you see him again?’

  How she hoped. ‘I suppose, if he attends the same functions as Lord Stonecroft, I might.’

  Ella untied the laces of the net overdress and carefully lifted it over Claire’s shoulders. She draped it over a chair while she helped Claire out of the silk ball gown.

  ‘Perhaps I might see Cullen tomorrow,’ the girl said excitedly.

  ‘I have no idea what tomorrow brings,’ Claire said. ‘But any time I have no need of you, you are free to see Cullen.’

  When in her nightdress, Claire climbed beneath the covers of this bed that felt stranger to her than the berth in the fishing boat. She did indeed not know what tomorrow would bring. When she was with Lucien, she could at least know he would be with her. But now, not only was her past a tabula rasa, so was her future. Her future seemed empty of anything worth anticipating.

  Chapter Sixteen

  A week went by and Claire’s life settled into a routine of stultifying boredom. Because of her newfound notoriety Lord Stonecroft received more invitations than he was accustomed to, although at that time of year the entertainments were all very like Lady Milliforte’s party, with all the same people.

  That meant she often saw Lucien and watched him become a sought-after bachelor among the younger unattached ladies.

  Stonecroft often took the waters for his health, so he frequently bathed in the waters, leaving Claire and his sister to promenade in the Pump Room where his sister met her friends and liked to pass much of the day.

  This day Miss Attwood was in a tête-à-tête with Lady Milliforte. Claire wandered over to the fountain where a server filled glasses with the medicinal water of the hot springs. She accepted a small glass of the water and put it to her lips. It smelled of rotten eggs and tasted like liquid metal.

  As unpleasant as the taste and smell were, they were familiar. She’d tasted the waters before, she realised. She closed her eyes and an image of herself laughing with other young ladies flashed through her mind.

  A memory!

  It had no context, no attachment to anything but the taste and smell of the waters, but it made her heart beat faster. She’d experienced a memory!

  ‘Lady Rebecca, surely you do not need the waters. You are the very picture of health.’

  She opened her eyes to see Sir Richard, Lucien’s Admiral friend.

  ‘I tasted it for a lark,’ she said. ‘How are you today, Sir Richard? Are you here for the waters?’

  He smiled. ‘I am here in hopes of meeting a lovely young lady and, look! I have done so.’

  ‘You flatter me,’ she said.

  His expression turned serious. ‘And how do you fare, my lady?’

  She had the sense he was asking about more than the state of her health. And, perhaps, asking for his friend.

  ‘Oh.’ She sighed. ‘I shall do well enough.’

  The truth was, she was ever more clear that marriage to Lord Stonecroft would not do. The life he offered her was as desolate as the blankness of her mind. She felt more like a piece of furniture in his presence than a betrothed woman. And when he did
look upon her as a person, it was merely to point out some way he disapproved of her.

  She had the money her brother had given her. It provided her some means to do something else besides marry Lord Stonecroft.

  She still had the recurring image of children in a schoolroom. She’d dreamt of it the night before and it gave her the notion that she could support herself as a teacher in a school or as a governess. All she needed was to find someone who would recommend her. Lucien had been convinced that she’d remembered a real school in Bristol when he’d questioned her. Perhaps she could find it and they would remember her.

  ‘Yes,’ she repeated to Sir Richard. ‘I shall do well enough.’

  The Admiral looked sympathetic, but he changed the subject. ‘I suspect you are wondering where our mutual friend is right now.’

  She felt her cheeks turn warm, but she tried to cover up by smiling. ‘I suspect you might tell me whether I wondered or not.’

  ‘He is at the West Gate Inn,’ Sir Richard responded. ‘He is speaking with yet another newspaper man, this time from a newspaper here in Bath.’

  ‘Oh, dear, I do hope the reporter will not wish to interview me,’ she said. ‘Lord Stonecroft finds it unacceptable for a lady to be written of in a newspaper.’

  Sir Richard turned to the door. ‘Ah. Here he is.’ He waved a hand to get Lucien’s attention.

  Lucien walked towards him and Claire saw his gait falter for a step when he spied her next to his friend. Was he disappointed to see her? Her spirits sank.

  ‘Sir Richard.’ He nodded to his friend and turned his gaze on Claire. ‘Lady Rebecca.’

  She made herself smile. ‘Hello, Lucien.’

  ‘So,’ Sir Richard said, ‘was the reporter satisfied with your interview?’

  Lucien rolled his eyes. ‘I hope so. I believe he was disappointed there was little to tell that had not appeared in the London paper.’

  ‘Will he try to interview me, as well?’ she asked.

  ‘I discouraged him from doing so.’ His gaze rested softly on her. ‘How are you, my lady?’

  ‘I—I am well, Lucien.’ She wanted to tell him of her memory, but how could she? ‘All is well.’