about in a nervous manner “—annoy any of the ladies within our fair town?” The pitch of his voice rose to a squeak, and he tugged at his frilled cravat. “On a Sunday morning? In broad daylight?”
Thomas glanced down at Dinah, whose bemused expression gave him pause. Had he erred in his assessment of the situation? Too late, he recalled that Dinah saw to her errands unescorted during the week.
“In any event,” the man said, “Mrs. Hussey and I assumed she would spend hours gossiping with her friends, as is her custom. Is it not, Miss Templeton?”
“I would not say hours—”
“And of course, Mrs. Hussey and I are not given to gossip, especially after a worship service, therefore we returned home. But never mind.” Suddenly all affability, Hussey gestured toward the house. “Do come in, Captain. We would be delighted to have you join us for our midday meal. A modest fare, but wholesome nonetheless.”
A war of thoughts ignited in Thomas’s mind. Hussey’s suggestion that Dinah was a gossip while he was blameless of that shortcoming bordered on being not only a direct insult but also a lie. Grasping for self-control, Thomas quashed the desire to challenge the charge, but now he felt no need to apologize to this boor for his own error. As for spending time in this oaf’s presence or obligating himself by accepting another meal, nothing could be more distasteful. Yet he still must address the missing invitation to the ball. Before he could respond, Dinah’s lavender perfume wafted up to his nostrils, soothing his turmoil, and she gave him a sweet smile. All rancor disappeared. That is, all but his annoyance over the missing invitation.
“You are most hospitable, sir.” Thomas took Dinah’s elbow and guided her through the gate opening.
Hussey watched their movements with narrowed eyes, reminding Thomas of a viper. But the expression melted into an oily smile. Thomas would have to watch his words and actions around this man. And he would endeavor to deliver his next accusation with less force.
Waiting in the parlor for Cook to announce dinner, Dinah shifted uncomfortably on her straight-back chair. She and Anne traded glances. All their efforts at pleasant conversation had failed, and Artemis seemed to have run out of things to boast about. Thomas sat, silent as a stone statue, balancing his teacup and saucer on his knees. From the glint in his eyes, Dinah could see he had more to say to Artemis, perhaps about the missing ball invitation. But for some reason, he had become taciturn the moment they had entered the house, no doubt in deference to Anne. Should Dinah introduce that topic?
“Captain,” Anne said, “is there any way in which the people of St. Augustine might show their appreciation to thee and thy crew for thy protection of our coast? Perhaps the ladies might mend or sew for thee, as we have for the other ships’ crews? Perhaps bake pastries or even prepare a picnic?”
His gaze softened considerably at her words. “How generous, Mrs. Hussey. I thank you for those offers and will not refuse them.” He gave Artemis a sly look.
Dinah almost laughed. Anne had no idea of the opening she had just given the captain.
“We have never been received quite so well as by the people of this fair city.” He took a sip of tea. “In fact, my officers and I anticipate a grand time at the governor’s ball this Friday.” He blinked with seeming innocence, and again Dinah could barely contain her laughter. “You have received your invitation, have you not, Mrs. Hussey?”
Now Anne blinked. “Why, no. But perhaps we were not meant to be included.” She gave him a serene smile. “Despite the friendliness amongst our citizens, we cannot be counted as members of the city’s elite society.”
“Nonsense, my dear,” Artemis blustered. “We are most certainly among the elite.”
“But I put your name on the list myself.” Thomas stared at Artemis. “In this charming yet small walled city, how could an invitation go astray? An invitation that came from the very office in which you are employed?”
“Well, if you must know—” Artemis’s face grew red. “I do have the invitation in my desk.” He stood and straightened his coat, then marched across the tabby floor and into the next room, his bedchamber. In a matter of seconds, he returned, waving the missive in the air. “A man cannot even surprise his wife.”
Dinah pursed her lips and stared down at her tea to keep from looking at anyone else. Artemis would say anything to keep out of trouble with Thomas, as evidenced by his ignoring the captain’s earlier scolding. Thoughts of that morning’s sermon came to mind, and shame pinched her conscience. She truly must stop laughing at Artemis’s expense, no matter how much he irritated her. Remembering Reverend Kennedy’s sermon, she decided she must extend grace to him as the Lord extended grace to her.
“Oh, my dear Artemis,” Anne said, “how kind of thee.” Despite her words, her eyes and voice conveyed a muted rebuke. “I know what I shall wear, but Dinah must have a new gown. Now we may not have enough time to make it.”
Dinah’s heart skipped. She would love something new to wear to such a grand event, but unlike her cousin Rachel, she had never been a swift seamstress.
“Why does she require a new gown?” Artemis still looked flushed. “Such an unnecessary expense—”
“Now, Hussey,” Thomas said, “surely you know ladies always must have a new gown for these occasions.”
“I know no such thing.” Artemis dropped back into his wingback chair. “But now that my surprise has been ruined, I will tell the rest of it. Miss Templeton, I have arranged for Mr. Richland to accompany you.”
Dinah saw Thomas’s gaze cut quickly to her, but she felt too stunned to reply. Mr. Richland owned a plantation. Not only was the man a slaveholder, but he was many years her senior and even had a son near her age. Would Artemis never cease his efforts to marry her to unsuitable men? And what of the captain’s statement, spoken in front of her friends, that he would escort her to the ball? She could not keep from looking at him and knew her expression conveyed the dismay she felt.
He sent her a reassuring smile. “But this will not do.” His smooth, controlled words held a world of authority. “I have promised to take my sister-in-law to the ball myself.”
“But—” Artemis’s face contorted into a variety of expressions, from anger to confusion to helplessness.
Once again Dinah subdued her desire to laugh. Never before had anyone intervened for her as the captain had done today—twice. Her heart warmed even as she cautioned herself against putting too much into the matter. His words proved clearly that he regarded her as his kinswoman, and his actions were simply in keeping with that relationship. She dismissed the disappointment that tried to creep into her with that thought.
In any case, pleasant and a very good friend though the captain might be, he was in the navy.
Thomas wended his way through the streets back to the transformed Franciscan monastery that now served as military barracks. Billeted there, he and his officers found comfortable accommodations and respite from sea duty. Today, he would be pleased to find respite from his own nagging conscience. Not since his foolish adolescence and those first few years in naval service had he struggled so fiercely with his temper. In fact, his steady disposition was an attribute that had often earned him promotions over his fellow officers—that, and his father’s influence, of course.
A stray thought interrupted his line of thinking. He had often wondered if his eldest brother would
