could write.
≈ ≈ ≈
As if by design, Carter was at the door waiting to escort them out to the carriage.
Caroline had drifted away into the arms of her other admirers.
“My aunt is pleased you could come. And everyone the better for sharing your talents.”
Amy beamed at his compliment. “You will come to Beddingfield Park again? Papa sends his best wishes.”
Josette grimaced at her sister's impulsiveness even as Carter nodded.
“And when does the siren of the sea call you back, Captain?” Edward bounced into the carriage behind Amy, the both of them leaving Josette in the heavy cold.
Edward’s question earned him nothing more than a stone-faced reply, saying that when the Admiralty sent word and not a moment sooner.
“Then you will be missed,” Josette said with bite. “But I'm sure you would prefer a command rather than escorting your aunt's protégées to every soiree that London can offer.” She gave him a curtsy but let him take her hand and help her into the carriage.
“I prefer home and a chair in front of the fire, Miss Price,” he insisted. Josette wondered at his queer defense. Before the door was shut, he met her inquiring mind with a fixed gaze that took her once more by surprise. Why should it matter to her, what he fancied?
After the door closed, she huddled up beneath the heap of heavy furs and sighed sleepily to herself.
“There's a strange fellow,” Edward said to no one in particular as they drove away.
“He's very kind,” Amy offered.
“So is Bernard,” Josette reminded her, and they broke into giggles only the depths of fatigue could arouse. Suddenly Josette remembered his remarks and sat up straight. “Amy, tell it, did he really say I was unspirited?”
“Did he what?” Amy asked in startled response.
“Did I not overhear it said that he found me unspirited, when compared to you and George?”
“Oh, Josette,” Amy yawned, and she waved her sister off in the dark. “Go to sleep, you suspicious thing. He only said that you were spirited but not as brash as George by half.”
“I love a brash woman,” Edward said with a wicked drawl, and Amy giggled.
“Edward!” Josette scolded.
“What exactly does brash mean?” queried Amy.
“Madcap and impetuous, and he could have included the pair of you.”
In a matter of a short while, both of her companions settled into dozes. Josette reached for a twilight sleep as they bumped along but it eluded her. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Captain Carter staring. How he vexed her thoughts and feelings! She heard the deep resonance of his voice. She smelled the sea. She felt his manliness.
Her thoughts tossed to and fro. He had honored her parents with his visit to Beddingfield Park. Did it matter that he had other commitments to keep? He had visited his aunt, distant and disapproving of his occupation though she appeared to be. And according to Caroline, he had overtures of charity that he attended to, albeit with little privacy.
His behavior had indeed turned curious. She had blamed him for her brother's death and it had all been very unfair. Perhaps her father was right. She did lash out at anyone who brought her pain, undeserving or not. She wondered if he would call again at Beddingfield Park. Her stomach fluttered at the prospect. If he did, she promised herself, she would be more pleasant and fair, and as spirited as it was proper to be. She decided, as sleep at last devoured her, that she almost looked forward to seeing him again.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Although she did not call after George's accident, Lady Berclair waited only five days before she returned the visit to Beddingfield Park. The monogrammed carriage rolled up the drive with four horses and a chilled driver. In the library, Josette was reading the ship-news and Edward penning a play, one in which he had promised Amy a part, when she herself bolted through the doors to announce the arrival.
Edward hurried from the room.
Josette
≈ ≈ ≈
As if by design, Carter was at the door waiting to escort them out to the carriage.
Caroline had drifted away into the arms of her other admirers.
“My aunt is pleased you could come. And everyone the better for sharing your talents.”
Amy beamed at his compliment. “You will come to Beddingfield Park again? Papa sends his best wishes.”
Josette grimaced at her sister's impulsiveness even as Carter nodded.
“And when does the siren of the sea call you back, Captain?” Edward bounced into the carriage behind Amy, the both of them leaving Josette in the heavy cold.
Edward’s question earned him nothing more than a stone-faced reply, saying that when the Admiralty sent word and not a moment sooner.
“Then you will be missed,” Josette said with bite. “But I'm sure you would prefer a command rather than escorting your aunt's protégées to every soiree that London can offer.” She gave him a curtsy but let him take her hand and help her into the carriage.
“I prefer home and a chair in front of the fire, Miss Price,” he insisted. Josette wondered at his queer defense. Before the door was shut, he met her inquiring mind with a fixed gaze that took her once more by surprise. Why should it matter to her, what he fancied?
After the door closed, she huddled up beneath the heap of heavy furs and sighed sleepily to herself.
“There's a strange fellow,” Edward said to no one in particular as they drove away.
“He's very kind,” Amy offered.
“So is Bernard,” Josette reminded her, and they broke into giggles only the depths of fatigue could arouse. Suddenly Josette remembered his remarks and sat up straight. “Amy, tell it, did he really say I was unspirited?”
“Did he what?” Amy asked in startled response.
“Did I not overhear it said that he found me unspirited, when compared to you and George?”
“Oh, Josette,” Amy yawned, and she waved her sister off in the dark. “Go to sleep, you suspicious thing. He only said that you were spirited but not as brash as George by half.”
“I love a brash woman,” Edward said with a wicked drawl, and Amy giggled.
“Edward!” Josette scolded.
“What exactly does brash mean?” queried Amy.
“Madcap and impetuous, and he could have included the pair of you.”
In a matter of a short while, both of her companions settled into dozes. Josette reached for a twilight sleep as they bumped along but it eluded her. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Captain Carter staring. How he vexed her thoughts and feelings! She heard the deep resonance of his voice. She smelled the sea. She felt his manliness.
Her thoughts tossed to and fro. He had honored her parents with his visit to Beddingfield Park. Did it matter that he had other commitments to keep? He had visited his aunt, distant and disapproving of his occupation though she appeared to be. And according to Caroline, he had overtures of charity that he attended to, albeit with little privacy.
His behavior had indeed turned curious. She had blamed him for her brother's death and it had all been very unfair. Perhaps her father was right. She did lash out at anyone who brought her pain, undeserving or not. She wondered if he would call again at Beddingfield Park. Her stomach fluttered at the prospect. If he did, she promised herself, she would be more pleasant and fair, and as spirited as it was proper to be. She decided, as sleep at last devoured her, that she almost looked forward to seeing him again.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Although she did not call after George's accident, Lady Berclair waited only five days before she returned the visit to Beddingfield Park. The monogrammed carriage rolled up the drive with four horses and a chilled driver. In the library, Josette was reading the ship-news and Edward penning a play, one in which he had promised Amy a part, when she herself bolted through the doors to announce the arrival.
Edward hurried from the room.
Josette
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