The magistrate rubbed at his brow. “Is there any additional documentation either ay ye wish tae present?”
“None,” Daniel confirmed with a shake of his head.
“I wish to reiterate—”
“Ah said documentation, nae statements,” the magistrate fixed his gaze on Tyrsdale. “Any additional documentation?”
Grinding his teeth, Tyrsdale gave a protracted shake of his head.
“In ‘at case,” Angus rifled through the pages in front of him, “an’ based on th’ information presented today, Ah see nae reason tae dispute th’ legal belongin’ ay th’ MacAllister estate tae the MacAllister family. Baron, yer dispute lacks evidence, an’ Ah cannae name ye the victor in this case.” The magistrate turned his attention to Daniel. “Captain Langdon, ye may inform th’ MacAllisters ‘at their claim tae their current property has been verified an’ the notes ay these proceedin’s will be entered intae the county log fur future reference, copies ay which will be handed over tae th’ MacAllisters.”
“If they dinnae open those doors soon,” Lenore growled, getting to her feet and marching toward the offending portal, “Ah swear Aam going tae—”
The door swung open, a sea of melting humanity spilling forth, buoyed by the hum of excited mumbling. Jumping back from the onslaught, Lenore scanned the crowd for Daniel. Patience tested yet again, the entirety of the county’s male population dredged by before she caught sight of Daniel bringing up the rear. “An’?” She shouted in his direction, shoving past the tail end of the crowd as she endeavored to shorten the distance between them.
“And,” He beamed a spectacular smile. “The MacAllister estate remains the MacAllister estate.
The crippling weight of the past weeks fell away as she let out a squeal of delight, wrapping Daniel in a tight hug. He laughed at her delight, returning the hug and lifting her off her feet before setting her back at arm’s distance.
“Did ye hear, Aunt Lily?” she whirled around to her aunt.
“An’ if Ah didnae, it’s pretty well painted across yer face,” Lily shook her head. “Thank ye, Captain. Ah dinnae ken how we can repay ye.”
“Not at all necessary,” he assured her. “Standing in as an honorary MacAllister has been a privilege.”
The general happiness of the moment faded as another familiar figure stalked by, making no attempt to avoid Daniel in his brooding march, with the result of brushing by with enough force to send Daniel leaning to one side if not actually off-center. Too many years of keeping balance on a rocking deck prevented him from losing his footing, but they did not prevent him from losing his calm demeanor.
An instant shadow darkened his features, a storm building in his eyes. The shift in Daniel’s attention as his eyes followed Tyrsdale’s route left Lenore bereft. Concerned, she took a step in his direction, but he erupted into motion, intent on intercepting Tyrsdale.
“Daniel,” she attempted to call after him, sending a desperate look to her aunt but finding only a reflection of her concern in the other woman’s features.
“I’ll look after him,” the hushed voice of Admiral Robertson met her ear a moment before he brushed by her in Daniel’s wake.
Lenore and Lily followed as close behind as they could, their speed suffering from the double blights of shorter legs and a plethora of skirts. By the time Lenore reached the doorway, Daniel had crossed the street and taken hold of Tyrsdale at the shoulder, forcibly spinning the man about.
Even from the distance remaining between them Lenore noted the instant Tyrsdale regretted his actions. Picking up her skirts, she hurried across the way to intervene even though the Admiral already stood at Daniel’s shoulder. “Daniel,” she called, attempting to keep a calm tone to her voice as she scanned the faces of those milling about the hall. Again, her call fell on deaf ears.
“And as to you, you sniveling coward,” Daniel’s growl of an accusation rumbled through Lenore as she neared him, the angry words prompting a shiver. “If you think for a moment, that anyone here doesn’t know you are behind those ridiculous rumors spreading through town, dismiss those thoughts now. I ought to have you arrested on the grounds of defamation of character.” He gave Tyrsdale a harsh shove, releasing him and nearly sending him sprawling into the mud. “What’s more,” he advanced on Tyrsdale, who attempted in vain to hide his blatant fear. “While I might be willing to overlook your deception and inconveniencing me with your lies and accusations which called me away to the Admiralty, do not think I shall overlook the suffering you have caused my fiancée and her aunt. I ought to call you out immediately for that and give you a taste of the same retribution your great-grandfather received for his lies.”
“Daniel,” Lenore stated more firmly as she drew up alongside him. She brought her hand up to his arm, laying it confidently on his sleeve without a tremor or hesitation. The movement served its purpose of diverting his attention. His gaze dropped to her hand, blinking as he might in attempting to interpret a foreign object.
His eyes followed the line of her arm up to her shoulder, her neck, and eventually up to her face. She watched the struggle taking place in his eyes, witnessing with a thrill the moment the tide turned, and he began to win the battle. She tightened her hold on him. With his next blink, a bit more of his rage evaporated. It still existed, it still prowled there beneath the surface, but Daniel, the confident boy and capable young man she remembered, made his stand. His throat worked, and he took a sizable breath before turning back to Tyrsdale.
“Count yourself lucky you’re not worth my time.” He covered Lenore’s hand with his, never taking his attention away from Tyrsdale. “You are not welcome here. Were I you, I would take the time to remember how much you disliked this town growing up, and how adamant you were about never setting foot in it again from the moment you left. I’ve heard a rumor there is soon to be a new owner of your estate, meaning you have no lingering reason to remain here. As such, I would consider any future visit you make a personal affront, and I may rethink my position. Do I make myself clear?”
Tyrsdale glared in response.
“And should he do so,” Admiral Robertson added, “he shall have a second.”
Surrounded and outnumbered, Tyrsdale swallowed and took a step back, his brow beginning to glisten. Faced with not one but two Naval war veterans, one in particular exceedingly large and powerfully built, the last vestiges of stubborn pride fled, fear taking its place. Resigning himself to a sharp nod, he turned on his heel and retreated.
“Well done, Captain,” Robertson turned to Daniel with an approving nod. “Now, if the day’s dramatics are complete, I hope you won’t mind me returning home yet again. Kate will have my hide if I don’t appraise her of all that’s transpired before the gossips do.” He held out a hand to Daniel. “Mind you stay in touch. I’m at your service should you need me for anything.”
“Thank you, sir,” Daniel grasped the admiral’s hand.
“We’d best get back too, Aunt Lily’s waitin’ on us,” Lenore nodded in the direction of their coach. “Aam sorry tae hae put ye through all this,” she added in a whisper. “Now ‘at it’s over Aam sure you’ll be happy enough tae see this place recedin’ intae th’ distance behind ye.”
Tilting his head, he observed her a moment before lifting his eyes to the townscape about him. He assessed the stone buildings, the calm of the sea in the distance, the packed dirt roadway, and back to the now empty community building. He turned back to her with the hint of a smile on his lips.
“Despite everything,” he mused, covering Lenore’s hand still resting on his sleeve with his, “I like it here. I think this place will forever hold fond memories for me.”
The depth and sincerity of his gaze as he looked down at her made Lenore’s breath catch. She dropped her gaze to their entwined hands and felt a new kind of assurance in the sight. She knew Daniel would have to leave now, to speak with her brother, but an excitement came along with that knowledge as she allowed him to lead her toward the c
oach. The world shone a bit brighter and more colorful now that they were free to delight in it and, more importantly, to do so together.
Chapter 18
“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay on a while longer?” Daniel turned to face Lily as he watched a footman carry his bag out to his horse.
Lily gazed at him with that knowing assessment which unsettled him when first he saw it, but now glowed motherly and nurturing. “We’ll be fine, she nodded. “An’ you’ve nae need tae fear leavin’,” she added, her words far more accurate than Daniel cared to admit.
Despite everything he’d experienced since arriving here, Dailemor held an atmosphere of calm and assurance he regretted letting go of. With a final turn about the entry hall, viewing the space of childhood memory in a new light, he laughed to himself. “How is it you know me so well so quickly?” He asked.
“Ah spent a decent amount ay time on mah own as a business owner in France,” she shrugged. Women may hae a few more rights there than they dae here, but in th’ end it doesnae matter who ye are, someone is always lookin’ tae play ye fur a fool. It comes in handy tae develop one’s skills ay observation,” She winked at him.
“I agree with you on that. I don’t imply that my ability to scrutinize others compares to yours, or operates in the same way, but life confined on a ship provides its own difficulties on that front. Especially when out to sea for months or years at a time. Tensions run high, and observing the causes proves invaluable.”
Lily nodded, accepting the arm Daniel extended and walking with him outside. “Shouldnae ye be escortin’ Lenore?”
“Yes, but I’m afraid she disapproved of the tears and apparent splotchy discoloration she believes they caused which resulted from our earlier attempt at goodbyes and commanded me to take myself out of her vicinity without her acknowledgment. I decided the safest route in such a case was not to argue.”
Beside him, Lily laughed. “Aye, if ye ken ‘at, then you’ll dae well in a lifetime together.”
“A lifetime?” he stuttered. He and Lenore had made no reference to extending their fictional engagement.
“Did we nae just discuss th’ importance ay observation?” She tilted her head at him. “A blind man couldnae miss how well th’ two ay ye took mah advice tae heart, an’ Aam guessin’ it’s nae news ay th’ estate that’s pushin’ ye home. Ah hope you’re on friendly terms wi’ Gavin.”
Hanging his head with a smile, Daniel halted as they reached his horse. “I hope so too. I am looking forward to that lifetime with far more enthusiasm than I ever thought possible,” he admitted, cheeks warming. He turned toward her, by default also turning toward the house and automatically lifting his gaze up to the second story windows. A curtain swayed in the upstairs sunroom, prompting a smile as he recognized the figure who appeared there. Lenore waved at him and he returned the gesture. Disheartened at her refusal to see him out, he still sympathized with her. If she provided so much as a hint of desiring him to stay, he would accept.
Delay, however, promised detriment to their cause. Their intimacy demanded he return home as soon as possible and speak with her brother. Neither of them wished to cause more discord with Gavin than necessary.
When he brought his gaze back to Lily, he noted her eyes again displayed a distant thoughtfulness as she stared out over the sea. “And what of you?”
She blinked up at him. “Me?”
“Yes. You know the admiral is fond of telling stories, and I’m afraid that of your youthful love was not one he felt he could remain silent on.”
The hint of a flush crept over her cheeks, and she ducked her chin. “Ah suppose Ah should’ve expected ‘at,” she noted with a hint of bitterness.
“Don’t be too harsh with the admiral,” Daniel pleaded. “He considers you a great friend, and memories of you and your sisters shine through as being those of the greatest happiness in his past.” He hesitated, unwilling to broach the next topic. “Though you may not wish to hear it, I am compelled to speak to you about Jack MacLeod.”
At that her gaze snapped up again wide-eyed and distrustful.
“I’m sorry to bring it up, I know it distresses you, but I must, in order to prevent a greater distress in the near future.”
“What are ye on about?”
“I take it your disappearance into the maritime records section of the clerical office encompassed more than mere curiosity about merchant shipments?” He began. Lily pursed her lips and remained silent. “I also ascertained from the admiral that you requested information about a certain ship. A ship which I know MacLeod captained at one point many years ago.”
Her eyes darted up to his. “How would ye ken ‘at?”
“As it happens, by pure chance, Jack is a close friend of the Langdon family.” The color drained from Lily’s face, and she swayed in place. Daniel reached out to take hold of her elbows. “Forgive me, Lily, I didn’t mean to cause such upset. Let me bring you back inside.”
“Nae, nae, it’s all right,” she insisted in a fluster. “Gae on. What dae ye ken ay Jack?”
“Only that he is a fine man, a dependable friend, and that at some point in his past, he lost a great love. I don’t know any more about it than that. If he ever shared details of his past it was with my father, not with me.” Daniel took a moment to examine Lily’s reaction. “I tell you this because, if all goes as you’ve already indicated it will, he’ll be invited to the wedding.”
Lily contemplated this latest information. She hadn’t indicated whether she would be available to visit Hampshire herself, but it seemed this shared history between her and Captain MacLeod was important enough she ought to know of a potential meeting in the near future.
“Thank ye fur lettin’ me ken,” She nodded.
“I can try to get a message to him if you like,” Daniel offered.
“Nae, ‘at’s not necessary. Dinnae worry about me, I’ll be fine. Ye get on yer way now an’ gae about settlin’ things wi’ Gavin and puttin’ together yer future wi’ Lenore.”
With a smile, he leaned in to give her a hug. “Thank you for everything,” he whispered. “I don’t know that I’ll ever feel quite normal again, but you’ve done a considerable amount to send me along that route.”
“An’ Lenore will dae her best tae keep ye on it,” she asserted as he released her. “Now off ye gae.”
Mounting his horse with a final wave to the upstairs window, he retraced his journey along the road flanked with heather, the scent of summer even more alluring than it had been a few short weeks before. Forcing himself not to look back challenged him, but the greater promise of a future imbued with love and happiness strengthened his will and served to shorten the road home.
Lenore hurried down the steps, making a conscious effort to keep hold of the banister and her skirts to prevent herself from tripping. Her heart beat nearly out of her chest and her breath came in short gasps, she couldn’t tell if she were elated or frightened out of her wits. Either way, today had the potential to be the best or worst of her life, and although she wanted to believe it would be the best, she couldn’t say for certain that would be the case.
The moment her slippered foot set down on the parquet flooring, she ran across to the study, the room her brother had summoned her to. Crossing the threshold, she knew she should look directly toward the desk where Gavin sat, but turned her head instead to the other side, taking in the proud, yet pale countenance of Daniel standing in full formal uniform across from her brother.
He stood at attention out of habit, his hat tucked into one arm, and despite his outward appearance of calm and collected authority, she saw the slight tremor in his hand, the sheen across his forehead, and the tension in his muscles. She tried to send him a reassuring glance, but he kept his gaze rigidly in front of him. Taking a breath, she turned her attention to her brother in his seat behind the desk. He smiled at her, but his smile fell short of his eyes, and his tone echoed flat when he spoke. “There ye are, Lenore, thank ye fur comin�
�.” He looked to Daniel. “Daniel, could ye give mah sister an’ Ah a moment?”
With a curt nod, Daniel turned to leave, still not venturing to look at Lenore or give any indication of his emotional state.
“Ah trust you’re aware ay why Ah called ye here?” Gavin began, rising from his chair and walking around the desk to meet her. He held out his hands, palms up, and she placed hers in them.
“Aye, Ah am.”
“An’ what would ye hae me say?”
“Is there a question?” She raised her brows at her brother, resisting the urge to snatch her hands away again.
“Ay course there is, Lenore,” Gavin insisted in a hushed voice, his features falling with a hint of disappointment. “Lenore, ye ken Ah consider Daniel a brother, he’s an honorable man an’ a brave soul. But ye also ken he’s been experiencin’ some troubles since his return frae th’ wars, an’ Ah cannae in good conscience force ye intae a marriage wi’ him.
“Force me?” Now she did snatch her hands away. “Ye could ne’er force me intae anythin’,” she humphed, raising her chin a notch.
He rewarded her with a smile. “Aye, ‘at much is true. But Ah want tae make sure ‘at ye thought about this.”
“Ay course Ah thought about it!” She turned her back on him, crossing her arms in frustration.
“Lenore,” his voice took on more command than she was accustomed to hearing from her brother, and he took her firmly by the arm and turned her back around to face him. When she looked up at him, she saw a stern demeanor tinged with concern. “Ah ken th’ seriousness ay yer involvement wi’ Daniel,” he began, causing Lenore to blush. “He’s an honorable man, an’ means tae dae right by ye. I expect nothin’ less frae him, but given th’ current circumstance, Ah willnae insist upon it.”
The Captain's Surrender (Currents of Love Book 6) Page 15
