by Georgie Lee
An unconscious man lay on the ground. Another, larger man sat next to him, holding his bloody arm. The two fighters were naked from the waist up, but Miss Howard seemed not to notice as she strode into the thick of things.
‘I said, what’s going on here?’ she demanded again upon reaching the circle, her hands balled against her hips. All the men had strapping builds from years of labour and towered over their employer. James might fear for her safety, but he had to admire her spirit. She reminded him of a certain well-known tavern owner in Tortuga who didn’t tolerate fighting in her establishment.
When no one answered, she turned to the bleeding man on the ground. ‘Bill, tell me what happened.’
He blinked against the sun, his face long with shame. ‘It was a friendly wager, Miss Howard. Tim said I could beat Mr Wilkins’s man, and you know I can. But he had a knife. Cut me before I laid him out.’
‘You lie,’ one of the greasier men challenged, his lascivious eyes raking Miss Howard, making James’s blood boil.
‘It’s the truth,’ Bill challenged, sparking a round of heated accusations.
‘Bloody liar—’
‘He cheated—’
‘Can’t trust a Wilkins servant—’
‘That’s enough!’ Miss Howard shouted, her voice lost in a swirl of angry shouts and jabbing fingers. The jabbing rapidly escalated to shoving with Miss Howard caught in the middle. James pulled her from the centre as the first punch swung close to her head. Pushing her towards George, he summoned all his years as a commander and addressed the tangled rabble.
‘Attention!’ The men with military experience straightened up while the others stopped arguing long enough for him to take control of the situation. ‘I want silence this instance. You men there, get back to Cable Grange.’
‘And who are you to be ordering us around?’ the greasy one sneered.
James stepped toe to toe with the man. ‘What’s your name?’
‘Mark.’ He spat on the ground at James’s feet.
James fixed him with an insolent-wilting glare. ‘Then get back to Cable Grange, Mark, and take your companion with you.’
The men slowly crept across the pasture towards Cable Grange. Mark and another man pulled up their groggy friend and with his arms over their shoulders dragged him off through the high grass.
‘The rest of you listen to Miss Howard or you’ll have me to answer to.’ He stepped aside, waving his hand at the workers. ‘Your men are ready.’
Her angry eyes flashed at him before she stepped forwards to face her servants.
‘You know I don’t condone fighting. I should dismiss every one of you for what you’ve done.’ Alarm swept through the men, but they did not answer back. Watching her walk up and down the line of servants, she reminded him of a petite captain. It was strange to see a lady in such a position, but it boded well for a woman who, depending on how their scheme played out, might accompany him throughout the world under who knew what circumstances.
‘I know you men all have families and you’re all good, hard workers, so I’ll forgive you today,’ she continued. ‘But if I ever catch any of you doing something like this again, you’ll be instantly dismissed. Now, return to your duties at once, except you, Bill. We must see to your arm.’
The men filed past, thanking her profusely. She nodded sternly at each and when they were gone, turned to Bill. Behind her, John and two other servants appeared with the stretcher and a small wooden medicine chest.
‘Well, Bill?’ Miss Howard asked, standing over the injured man.
‘Am I to be dismissed?’ he asked, shamefaced.
‘No, I think you’ve been punished enough for today.’ She knelt down beside him. ‘I want to see your arm.’
She motioned for it, but he held it fast, drops of blood seeping out from between his fingers.
‘It’s no sight for a lady.’
‘Let me see it,’ she insisted.
He removed his hand, revealing a gaping cut. It was small but deep and bleeding heavily. She didn’t blanch, but examined it with care, then motioned for the chest.
‘You need the surgeon.’ She pulled off one glove and removed a bandage roll from the medical box, winding it tightly around Bill’s wound. ‘John, please fetch the surgeon. You two, help Bill back to the stable. Uncle George, can you accompany them?’
‘Yes, but I want James to escort you back to the house.’
‘I can find my own way.’ She started to rise and George took her by the elbow, helping her to her feet.
‘I insist he see you back.’
‘Very well.’
George joined the servants making their way back to the house, leaving James alone with Miss Howard.
‘That was very brave of you. I don’t know another lady with such command of her staff and quite the strong stomach.’ He kicked loose dirt over the small puddle of blood on the ground. ‘I think you’d be very good in any crisis. You have a way with authority.’
‘And you, Captain, have a way of interfering when you shouldn’t. Kindly remember you are a guest at Knollwood, not its owner.’
Julia pushed past him, making for the path to the house. She heard the heavy fall of his boots on the ground as he caught up to her and she quickened her pace, nearly breaking into a run.
‘Julia, wait.’
She whirled to face him, closing the short distance between them. ‘How dare you address me in such an intimate manner?’
‘I think it only fitting since we’re engaged.’ There it was again, his knowing smile, the one she found so infuriating. What was it about this man who annoyed her with such charm?
‘Yes, engaged, and not even that, yet you already act like a husband.’
The comment wiped the smile from his face. ‘Is this my thanks for helping you?’
‘You weren’t helping. You were undermining my authority, giving orders and interfering with my management of Knollwood.’
‘If I hadn’t undermined your authority, some servant would have pummelled you.’
‘I do not wish to discuss it.’ She continued on up the path, too worked up by the fight, the wound and the captain to stand still. A small pang of guilt needled her for being so cross. Yes, if he hadn’t stepped in she might well have been injured, or worse. But she couldn’t bring herself to thank him. She suddenly wished she were at Cable Grange with all of this ridiculous business behind her.
‘Julia, please stop.’
The tender request held more power than any of his commands, bringing her to a halt. He walked around to stand in front of her, but she refused to meet his face. She kept her head down, studying his boots, noting the mud stuck to the sides and a small scuff on the toe.
‘Whatever you think of my interfering, I only meant to help and whether our engagement is real or fake doesn’t matter. I had no desire to see you hurt.’
She pulled on her glove, fumbling to fasten the small button at her wrist, unsure how to continue. He was right. She shouldn’t be angry and she had insulted him again without good reason. Would she never learn? ‘Perhaps we shouldn’t play this game.’
He took her hand, his fingers slipping the ivory button through its hole.
‘I very much enjoy this game, my little Artemis.’ His thumb stroked the inside of her palm, firm and warm through her glove. Her heart raced and she worked to breathe evenly.
‘Don’t call me that.’
‘But it suits you.’
Her anger, the fighting men and all her troubles faded away and she was aware of nothing but his hand on hers. ‘I’m sorry if I seem ungrateful. I shouldn’t be, especially after everything you’ve agreed to do for me. I do thank you for your help.’
‘We all need help sometimes.’
‘I’m not accustomed to asking for it.’
‘You didn’t ask. I offered.’ He swept her into his arms, covering her lips with his. All the stories Paul had told her about Navy men urged her to pull away, but she didn’t. Instead she went soft in his arms, falling into him as he pulled her close. His warm, firm lips drove everything from her mind: Cable Grange, the fighting servants, Charles. A thrill coursed through her, like riding Manfred over the hills on a sunny day. Her heart raced, her mind spun and then suddenly it was over. He stepped back, and she smiled as she stared at him, resisting the urge to throw herself into his arms and demand he continue.
‘I think we should return to the house,’ she stammered. What else did one say after allowing a gentleman to take liberties?
‘Indeed.’ He offered her his arm and she took it.
* * *
She hadn’t been able to command one coherent thought on the walk back. So much had happened so fast she couldn’t make sense out of any of it. Only when they entered the garden to find her mother and Emily waiting on the stone patio did her head finally clear. Emily’s lips were drawn tight with worry, but her mother only raised a curious eyebrow at the sight of them walking so close together. Julia’s grip on the captain’s arm tightened.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘I’m going to hear a great deal from Emily about being so rash. I don’t suppose you wish to help me again?’
‘If only I could.’ The captain laughed. ‘But I’m afraid you must handle this matter alone.’
Chapter Eight
Emily’s clipped steps carried her across the morning-room rug, crossing back and forth in front of Julia, who stood by the fireplace, tapping her foot in irritation. Every day Emily sounded more and more like Charles and the constant lectures were proving quite tiresome. Cable Grange could not be hers soon enough.
‘First you go out riding with the captain, alone,’ Emily said.
‘We didn’t go out riding. He happened upon me at the keep.’
‘Then you put yourself in danger by involving yourself with the servants in front of him.’
‘You’d rather they fight instead of work?’ Julia silently pleaded with her mother, wishing for once she’d intervene, but she did nothing except adjust Charlemagne’s collar.
‘Come, Emily, don’t be so hard on Julia.’ Uncle George stepped in, refilling his glass of port from the decanter near the window. ‘Girl has responsibilities.’
‘Don’t you understand the way this behaviour appears? Whether innocent or not, it is compromising.’
‘In James’s eyes, never.’ Uncle George laughed. ‘He isn’t such an old biddy to get fired up over a ride or an incident with the field hands.’
‘I believe you are both failing to see the point.’
‘Excuse me, Mrs Howard.’ Captain Covington entered the room, respectfully deferential. ‘I believe I have some information to put your mind at ease.’
‘Information?’ Emily asked.
Julia shook her head, but he ignored her, reserving his gracious smile for Emily.
‘This afternoon in the forest I asked Miss Howard to marry me and she accepted.’
The room went silent.
‘Is it true?’ Emily demanded.
Julia wasn’t sure how to answer. She hadn’t expected him to announce their engagement so soon, but now it was done and she had to play along. ‘Of course it’s true.’
‘But—you hardly know one another.’
‘In the short amount of time we’ve spent together we’ve discovered a great deal in common. It’s as though we’ve known each other for years.’ Captain Covington took Julia’s hand and gazed lovingly into her eyes. Her heart fluttered with excitement before she reined in her runaway emotions. Reminding herself it was all a ruse, she returned the loving smile with one of her own, careful not to exaggerate it too much.
Emily twisted her hands in front of her. ‘What will Charles say?’
‘I have already spoken to Mother and Uncle George,’ Julia lied, hoping they would play along, too.
‘She did?’ Emily asked her mother-in-law, who nodded.
‘We discussed it this morning.’
‘And you?’ Emily turned to Uncle George.
‘Jim mentioned it during our ride,’ he mumbled, tossing back the last of his port.
Julia let out her breath. Uncle George would demand an explanation, but he could always be counted on to go along.
‘Please excuse us, Captain.’ Emily grabbed Julia by the arm, pulling her into the hall and closing the morning-room door behind them. ‘What’s going on?’
‘I thought you’d be pleased. You and Charles are always telling me to marry.’
‘Yes, but—?’
‘But what? Isn’t Captain Covington a respectable man?’
‘To be sure, but—’
‘But what? Uncle George has known him for years, he has a sizeable fortune, and he’s amiable and well spoken of. What objection could you possibly have?’
‘Marriage isn’t something to be entered into lightly.’
‘Why shouldn’t I be as happy with him as any other gentleman?’
Emily took her by the shoulders, examining her with an older sister’s overprotective concern. ‘Is there something else to this I should know? You haven’t engaged in any compromising behaviour?’
The captain’s kiss suddenly came to mind, but her rising anger pushed the memory away. ‘Beyond the list you’ve accused me of?’
‘Please, be serious.’
Julia threw up her hands in exasperation. ‘Of course not—how could you even make such a suggestion?’
‘Because this is all so sudden. Do you love him?’
Julia looked out one of the tall windows flanking the front door where two turtle doves walked in the shade of the portico. Watching them coo to each other, Julia wondered at the question. Love. How would it feel to truly be in love? The fountain in the garden came to mind. Could she find such passion with the captain? No, he’d only prove as meddlesome as he had with the labourers.
‘Well?’ Emily demanded, breaking the long silence.
‘Of course,’ Julia lied. She was pretending to be engaged; why not pretend to be in love, too? ‘He’s the most interesting, well-travelled man I’ve ever met and quite handsome. You remarked on those exact qualities yourself the other night at cards.’
‘Yes, but you seemed so uninterested.’
‘I did not know him well then.’
Emily tapped her fingers on her chin, examining Julia, struggling to comprehend the strange turn of events. ‘Do you think you’ll be happy with him?’
‘Yes. I’ll have my own home to run. How could I not be happy?’ This certainly wasn’t a lie and it helped put Emily’s mind at ease.
‘Then I am glad for you.’ She hugged Julia with all the affection of a sister before her smile tensed at the corners. ‘Of course, Captain Covington should have asked Charles’s permission first—he is your guardian—but I don’t think he’ll object. I’ll write to him about it at once.’
Julia didn’t share Emily’s worry. No doubt she’d already written to him about Julia’s behaviour. If so, she knew Charles would jump to give his consent, if only to see her settled and out of Knollwood. For once, the idea didn’t trouble her. ‘I’ll write him, too. I want him to know of my good fortune.’
They walked back to the morning room, a slight smile tugging at the edges of her lips. Cable Grange and freedom were in her grasp.
Inside, Uncle George pumped Captain Covington’s hand, the port in his glass sloshing high along the rim. ‘Congratulations, Jim. You don’t know how glad I am to hear it. Julia, you couldn’t have asked for a better man.’
Julia felt a slight twinge of guilt. If he was this excited by their engagement, how disappointed would he
be when it all came to an end?
‘Now I have some news to add to yours,’ Uncle George announced. ‘I’ve secured invitations to the Johnsons’ ball Wednesday night. You two can announce the engagement to everyone.’
‘I can’t go. I have no dress and I can’t have one made in such a short time.’ She hadn’t planned on making a public announcement. If no one outside the family knew, she could easily break it off with very few consequences.
‘One of your London gowns will do,’ her mother said and Julia blanched. Her mother knew the engagement wasn’t real. Why would she encourage the ball? It must only be to convince Charles of its validity. What other reason could she have? She was almost afraid to imagine it. ‘We’ll choose a dress today, in case it needs any alterations.’
‘Yes, of course.’ Julia tried to sound excited, but with no desire to attend the ball it was difficult.
‘Do you mind if I have a private word with your groom-to-be?’ Uncle George asked and Julia had a good idea what he wished to discuss. At least it meant another person on her side against Charles, one who would speak up for her far more than her mother.
‘Not at all. I must write to Charles and I believe Mother wishes to discuss dresses.’
* * *
Once the ladies were gone, George turned a suspicious eye on James. ‘Out with it. What are you two up to?’
‘You don’t believe in true love?’
‘Until today you’ve done nothing but tickle Annette’s fancy—now suddenly you and Julia are engaged? Did something happen out on your ride?’
‘I assure you, it’s nothing like that.’
‘Then what?’
‘Cable Grange.’
George frowned. ‘I thought you were over all that.’
‘I am—apparently your niece is not. She thinks an engagement might force her brother’s hand.’
‘It may just force yours. Charles isn’t like Paul and Julia. He may make you go through with it.’
