A Captain of Consequence (Westham Chronicles, #2)

by Osborne, Rachel

  Chapter Five

  Grace clung to the back of the sofa so tightly her knuckles turned white. She had been waiting for an opportunity like this for days. With her mother and sister out and her father confined to his study, she was alone and determined to try walking again. She was weary of resting and felt certain that she would recover far more quickly if permitted to test her injured foot.

  “There!” she remarked, her voice breathy and faint, her teeth clenched together against the wave of pain that overcame her whenever she attempted to put any weight on her injured ankle. “If I am careful to move slowly...ouch!”

  Too late, she realised her error, and her leg crumpled under her, sending her collapsing towards the floor. She put out her hands to break her fall and as she did so, did not notice the door to the parlour open, admitting her sister and mother with two gentlemen.

  “Grace!” Emily cried, flying to her. “What have you been doing?”

  “Trying to walk,” Grace muttered, blinking back tears that accompanied the sharp pain shooting up her leg. “I may have been a little ambitious.”

  “A little foolish!” Emily countered, tugging on Grace’s hands to help her up. “Here, you must return to your seat and abandon these silly notions of trying to walk before the doctor says you are ready.”

  “He said I might try if I felt able,” Grace retorted, irritated by the lecturing tone that had crept into her sister’s voice and feeling no support from the way she tugged infuriatingly on her arms.

  “Miss Hardcastle, perhaps you will allow me to help?”

  Grace did not need to look up to recognise Captain Sudbury, and between him and Emily together they managed to move Grace back to the sofa with minimal jarring to her aching ankle.

  “Thank you,” Grace muttered, not trusting herself to look into Captain Sudbury’s eyes. She looked at her sister, instead, and saw an expression of disappointment rest momentarily over her delicate features as she retreated to rejoin her party. Captain Sudbury followed just as quickly and Grace was left quite alone, dejected at her failed attempt at walking under her own power and embarrassed at having been found crawling around on the floor like a child by those who would doubtless judge her for it.

  “Did you have a pleasant visit to Westham?” she asked, finding her voice at last and directing her question towards her sister in hopes that it would smooth over any irritation Emily felt with her. “I did not realise you intended to meet Captain Sudbury there too.”

  This attempt at normalcy was in some part successful, for three of the four figures emerged fully into the parlour. Only Mrs Hardcastle had disappeared, most likely to summon her husband and bid him join the party in the larger room.

  “We did not intend it!” Emily said, with a smile. “It was quite by chance that our paths crossed, and he was so eager to enquire after your wellbeing that we insisted on his accompanying us so that he could see for himself.”

  Grace’s heart lifted and she looked at Captain Sudbury, whose own eyes were resting on Emily’s smiling face. Disappointment swept up over her and she wet her lips, determined that the true nature of her feelings would not be evident to all.

  “I only wish I might have been well enough to join you!” she said, with a self-deprecating sigh. “I am so weary of forever being kept indoors!”

  “That is no excuse for your forcing yourself to walk unaided!” Emily bristled, that same scornful tone colouring her words and making Grace feel as if she were a child once more. “You might have done yourself even more damage!”

  “I must be grateful, then, that you arrived home when you did,” Grace said, bitterly. “And found me where I fell.”

  “Indeed you must!” Emily’s eyes flashed and she opened her mouth as if to continue upbraiding her sister before her eyes fell on Mr Crampton and she softened, ending her lecture with a simple ahem and changing the topic to one that would more interest at least one of their gentlemen callers.

  “Crampton?” Mr Hardcastle’s voice croaked. “Come down to my study a moment, would you?”

  In one smooth motion, Mr Layocock stood, bowing gracefully to the ladies and retreating from the room. Emily was visibly disappointed by his departure and Grace turned her attention to Captain Sudbury expecting to see relief that his rival for her sister’s affection was momentarily absent. Instead, a strange expression of bitterness flitted across his face, and Grace’s heart constricted. Mr Hardcastle had never requested he join him in his study, nor even acknowledged his presence despite what was at the very lower limits of politeness. Grace knew her father did not appreciate Captain Sudbury and she feared, at this moment, that Captain Sudbury knew it too.

  “I must ask you to thank you sister, Captain Sudbury,” she began, eager to engage him in conversation and so ease the awkward silence that had settled over the room. “Amelia was kind enough to visit us the other day and lend me a book. I wonder if you would return it for me, with my very sincere thanks.”

  She looked around for the small volume but it was not to be found on her seat, nor beside it and she frowned, seeking it without success.

  “Might this be the book?” Captain Sudbury asked, sliding forward to retrieve the book from where it had slipped, unnoticed, to the floor. He was closer to Grace then, close enough that she could reach out and touch him, to give his hand a reassuring squeeze, if only she dared. But they were not children anymore and she could hardly dream of acting so forward, particularly when it was plain to her now, as it must surely have been on any number of occasions previously, that Captain Sudbury did not care for her. His heart was all for Emily, who seemed scarcely to notice or care.

  “That is the one!” Grace smiled and was gratified to see the expression returned, albeit fleetingly, in her friend’s face.

  “Captain Sudbury wished to bring you a gift of his own!” Emily trilled, tiring of her previous occupation, straining to listen to what was being discussed between her parents and Mr Crampton, and turning her attention back to the room. “Or gifts, plural.” She giggled and Grace winced, wishing her sister would not insist on giggling whenever there happened to be a gentleman present. She never did it when the two sisters were alone.

  “I fear your sister imbues rather too much value in the trinkets by calling them gifts.” Captain Sudbury grimaced, but reached obediently into his sleeve, retrieving a small bundle tied in a handkerchief, and passing it awkwardly to Grace. “I stumbled on an item or two I thought might give you some pleasure to draw, Miss Grace.” He glanced around, seeking the art case that was nowhere nearby. “That is, if you are well enough to draw at all at present...”

  “I am!” Grace said, hurriedly. “That is, I would like to.” She settled the handkerchief on her lap and untied the knots that fastened it closed, lifting out one treasure after another. A stone - no, a fossil. She ran her fingertip over the ridges, turning it one way and then another to see the way the light fell on it. A feather with a delicate, intricate pattern of mottled grey. She examined each item in turn, already thinking of the composition they might make in a sketch.

  “There, now, Captain Sudbury! We shall have lost Grace to her art and not hear another word from her this afternoon.” Emily giggled again, but Grace scarcely noticed. She was too busily examining her treasures and thinking, in spite of herself, that the gentleman across from her had selected each one carefully with her in mind. It was not jewels or flowers, as Emily would much prefer, and as would undoubtedly be a preferable gift from a suitor. But Captain Sudbury is not my suitor, Grace reminded herself, holding the fossil tighter in the palm of her hand, until its rough edges dug into her skin. He is my friend, though. And so I will help him be happy. She drew a breath. Marrying my sister will make him happy, and goodness knows I would prefer her to choose him than dull-as-ditch-water Mr Crampton. She nodded to herself, risking a glance at the pair who were now speaking a little more freely, without Mr Crampton or Grace’s parents present to curtail their freedom. Her heart constricted, then opened again. It wa
s foolish of her to wish for Captain Sudbury to choose her when he had already set his own heart on her sister. But he had always been kind to her and so now she would do everything in her power to help him. She settled quietly into her seat, determined not to say a word, scarcely even to breathe, for fear it would disturb the young couple opposite, and began to hatch her plans.

  TIME PASSED TOO QUICKLY, as it often did in Grafton Hall, and all too soon the clock on the mantel chimed. Arthur stood, reluctant to bring the visit to a close and yet eager not to outstay his welcome.

  “I am glad to see you recovering, Miss Grace, albeit slowly.” He brandished the book she had mentioned. “I am sure my sister will but none too happy to hear of your attempts to walk before you can stand.” He smiled, merrily. “So perhaps I will not mention it to her and merely say that you are impatient to be well again.”

  “Oh, indeed! She gives a new definition to the word impatient!” Emily cooed, with a giggle. Arthur was pleased to see such affection between the two sisters, but when he looked at them, Emily’s attention was fixed on the door, and Grace’s on her lap.

  “Well, I will bid you farewell and be on my way,” he continued after a moment of silence. “I fear I am already outstaying my welcome.”

  “Not at all!” Emily said, standing as he did. “Please allow me to see you to the door, Captain Sudbury.”

  He was perfectly able to walk the short distance along the corridor unaided, but he was not about to admit as much when Emily walked contentedly beside him. They drew level with Mr Hardcastle’s study and Emily paused, raising a hand to knock lightly on the door.

  “Papa,” she called, glancing at Arthur. “Captain Sudbury is just leaving.”

  There was a murmur from within, and before Arthur could protest, Emily opened the door to see Mr Hardcastle leaning back in a chair, holding a glass aloft. Opposite him was Mr Crampton, equally equipped with a drink. He seemed to notice how this must appear far sooner than his host, for he hurried to his feet, depositing his glass down on the heavy oak desk and reaching a hand out for Arthur’s.

  “It was good to meet you, Sudbury,” he said, with a smile that, whilst warm, was no less a dismissal.

  “Aye,” Arthur muttered, dipping his head in a semblance of a bow. “Good day, gentlemen.” He turned to Emily. “Well, Miss Hardcastle, I shall say goodbye and leave you to your other guest.” He hoped the trace of bitterness in his voice was not quite so evident to his companions as it was to his own ears. He strode towards the door, all of a sudden eager to be outside the stifling walls of this house, where he now felt like an unwelcome guest, no matter how happy Grace and Mrs Hardcastle always seemed to be to see him.

  “Captain Sudbury!” Emily hurried after him. “You will - you will join us for dinner this Thursday evening, will not you?”

  Arthur came to a sudden stop, turning with ease to face her.

  “Mama bade me ask you. That is, I thought she would return and ask you herself!” she giggled, stopping short and swallowing. A faint rose tinted her cheeks, and she seemed incapable of meeting her eyes. “She has sent an invitation to your father and sister, and to Sir Benjamin and Miss Devereaux. But you may as well receive an invitation in person, as you are here.”

  “You are very kind, Miss Hardcastle,” Arthur said, struggling to keep his own features neutral and not allowing the smile that threatened to consume them full reign. “I will accept, on behalf of my family, although I dare say my sister will write in the proper way.” He bowed again and allowed her to accompany him on the final few steps to the door.

  “Good!” Emily nodded, smiling. “Good. We will be quite a merry party, for Mr Crampton will be there, too, and perhaps a few others. I hope you will come prepared to share a few war stories.” Her eyes were bright. “I know how you always have such interesting tales to tell.”

  “For your dinner, Miss Hardcastle, I shall come armed with my most interesting.” Arthur beamed, feeling his heart lift as he stepped across the threshold and began his walk home.

  It was obvious that Mr Hardcastle preferred Crampton, and doubtless hoped he would be the suitor his daughter might choose. But Arthur’s hopes were not entirely dashed yet. Emily herself had taken pains to invite him to dine personally. That must count for something. She had seemed delighted at his acceptance and he fancied he knew her well enough to be able to deduce when her smiles were genuine and when they were merely offered out of politeness.

  His good mood gave him energy and he had reached home almost before he knew it, seeing his sister in the garden admiring a few winter flowers.

  “What ho, sister!” he called, waving with her book in hand. “What a pretty picture you make, surrounded by all this greenery.”

  “What has put you in a good enough mood that such a compliment should come so easily to your lips?” Amelia laughed, stepping lightly towards him and accepting the volume he held out towards her. “You have been to see Grace!” she said, happily, as she ran her fingers over the title page and slipped the book closed once more.

  “I have been to call at Grafton Hall,” Arthur corrected. “But yes, Miss Grace was there.” He grimaced, recalling how they had found her crumpled into a heap on the floor of the parlour. She was so determined to walk again, even before she was ready. Such obstinacy must be frustrating to her sister and family but Arthur could not help but admire it. How many men had he known without such a spirit for recovery as Grace Hardcastle possessed?

  “Why that face?” Amelia asked, reaching up to smooth his wrinkled brow. She bit her lip. “Is Grace not well?”

  “Oh, she is recovering,” Arthur acknowledged, leaning back out of his sister’s reach and laughing at her attempts to mother him, even now. “But not quick enough to please her, I wager.” An idea occurred to him and he tucked his sister’s arm into his, tugging her with him towards the house. “Come along, Milly, for I have a request to make of Papa and you know he can never refuse a thing when you say it is a good idea...”

  Chapter Six

  “I hope Miss Grace was pleased with the loan of my old cane,” Admiral Sudbury commented, as he surveyed the battleground of the chessboard between him and his son. He lifted a piece. “There. I shall have your pawn.”

  Arthur grimaced, inclining his head as he considered his strategy.

  “She was delighted,” he said, making his move. “She wished to try it out straight away but at the urging of her sister agreed to wait until morning and to only do so with a servant on hand who might catch her if she fell.”

  Admiral Sudbury rolled his eyes skywards.

  “They cosset that girl too much. She would recover far quicker if permitted to move around a little. The cane will help. She’ll be dancing again before you know it.”

  “Does Grace dance?” Arthur laughed, advancing the play by a couple of moves. “She is too young, surely.”

  “She is a young lady, as your sister is a young lady.” Admiral Sudbury frowned. “You were away quite some years, Arthur. One or two things have changed around here, or did you not realise?”

  “I am reminded of it daily!” Arthur groaned. “My baby sister is to be married, after all, which circumstance I am still only partially acclimated to. If it were not for Devereaux being such a thoroughly decent fellow I should be rather more opposed to the match, on account of my sister being surely still scarcely old enough to dance, herself, let alone old enough to marry.”

  Admiral Sudbury sniffed, the knocked over his king with a sigh.

  “There, you have beat me again. Speaking of things that have changed in the intervening years since last you were here, your chess game is a little improved.” He yawned. “Or perhaps mine has worsened.”

  “It is luck, alone, I am sure,” Arthur said, relaying the chess board. “Will you play again?”

  “In a little while,” Admiral Sudbury said, leaning his elbows on the narrow table and peering over them towards his son.

  Arthur squirmed a little in his seat, recognising what w
as to come. He made light of it although his laughter sounded more than a little forced.

  “Ah, I well recall that look, sir. I see not everything has changed. You wish to interrogate me on some matter you perceive to be Very Serious and are just considering your words so as to be certain you offer me no room to manoeuvre free of them.” He ducked his head, smiling guiltily. “Well speak, Father, do, and I will do my utmost to answer you.”

  “Fine words!” Admiral Sudbury lifted his eyebrows. “I shall endeavour to match your honesty. It is about the future, Arthur. Will you remain here, or -”

  “You wish to be rid of me again?” Arthur’s voice was light, but he could not help the very natural fear that there was some truth to the suggestion.

  “Dear me, no!” the admiral shook his head so fiercely that Arthur fancied he could hear his father’s teeth rattling together in his mouth. “I should not care to lose either of my children ever again.” He pursed his lips. “However sure it seems that Milly will be making her own way in the world before too long.”

  “She is not going far, Father!” Arthur remarked with a snort. “And you might go with her, if you wish. Devereaux would not be an ungracious host, I am sure.”

  “Aye, I don’t doubt it, but this is my home, I’ll not surrender it easily.” He fixed his watery eyes on Arthur. “Unless you wish it for yours. When you marry -”

  “I rather think it is an if at present, Pa -”

  “When,” Admiral Sudbury continued. “You said yourself that you had returned home with precisely that in mind. I cannot have been the only one to notice how many young ladies favoured you for a dance at the assembly. It is a shame...” He trailed off, glancing significantly towards the window. Arthur felt this cheeks redden. His father would lecture him now on his devotion to Miss Emily Hardcastle. Well, he had heard that lecture before, five years previously. It had not deterred him then and it would not deter him now.