Thomas? But if she voiced the thought to Elizabeth, she would never hear the end of it. “Do enjoy yourself, my dear.”
“Hmph. Just because you do not wish to marry a man of the sea.” Elizabeth’s pout was short-lived. “Oh, but won’t it be grand to dance with these fine officers at the governor’s ball?”
Dinah’s heart skipped. “A ball? Oh, my. When? And what on earth inspired Governor Tonyn to this frivolity? Why, he despises such merrymaking.” She could hardly contain her astonishment…and her excitement. “Tell me everything you know.”
Elizabeth giggled. “There, you see. You are not as indifferent to the gentlemen as you pretend.” She punctuated her words with a smirk. “As to the governor, well, I am of the opinion that he is impressed by the fact that Captain Moberly is the son of Lord Bennington. In his political world, such an august person surely must be entertained.” She glanced toward the people emerging from the church, then leaned toward Dinah in a confiding manner. “The ball is to be held this Friday evening to officially honor the arrival of HMS Dauntless. Only specially invited guests may attend, and my parents and I are among them. Mamá told me about it the day before yesterday, and I have been begging for a new gown since then. But she says my old one will do because none of the Dauntless crew has seen it.” She paused, and puzzlement crinkled her smooth forehead. “Did you not receive an invitation?”
“Ah, there you are, Miss Templeton.” Thomas approached, looking a bit harried with his eyes wide and his lips in a thin smile. “I feared you had already left.” People clustered behind him as if seeking his attention, but he focused on Dinah.
Her feelings in riot and confusion, Dinah dipped an unsteady curtsey and forced a smile. “Good morning, Captain.” Surely if he was concerned about the possibility of not seeing her this morning, this oversight about an invitation could not be his doing. “I believe you have met my good friend, Miss Markham.”
“Indeed we have just met inside.” He swept off his bicorne hat and greeted Elizabeth with an elegant bow. “Miss Markham.”
“Captain—” Elizabeth lifted her chin “—I should not wish to scold you, but the omission of your kinswoman from the list of those invited to the ball in your honor is beyond—”
“What?” Thomas stared at Dinah, his eyebrows rising sharply. “Of course you were invited. I gave your name to Governor Tonyn’s secretary.” Now those strong black eyebrows bent into a stormy frown. “I shall investigate the matter and see it set to right. In fact, I shall escort you to the event myself.” He blinked, as if surprised by his own words.
The crowd buzzed and hummed around them, but Dinah could not discern their words. A wave of heat began to surge up her neck and she quickly inhaled to stop it. She had never blushed in her life and would not begin to do so now.
“I thank you, my good kinsman.” She raised her voice slightly for the benefit of their audience. “Now, if you will excuse me…” A quick glance down the lane revealed Anne and Artemis well on their way home.
Thomas followed her gaze, and his frown deepened. “My dear sister-in-law, may I escort you home? I should like to speak to Mr. Hussey on a matter of some importance.”
He offered his arm, and Dinah set her gloved hand on his forearm, grateful for his gesture and for his familial address. That should prevent gossip. Or so she hoped.
They took their leave of Elizabeth, and the crowd dispersed, as if understanding they had been dismissed.
And now Dinah had only to contend with her giddy heart, which seemed to have a mind of its own regarding Thomas Moberly.
Chapter Six
As Thomas escorted Dinah away from the throng, his emotions warred within him. That Hussey fellow deserved a good thrashing for leaving a young lady to see herself home. Yet Thomas could not deny he welcomed the opportunity to serve in that capacity himself…not to mention he was relieved to escape the crowd of churchgoers who behaved as if they had never before seen an officer in His Majesty’s navy. An oddity, to be sure, since he understood that the two other frigate captains and their officers also frequented St. Peter’s. Today, their ships were on patrol, as his would be in another week.
Thomas wondered whether the gaggle of matchmaking mothers had pushed forth their daughters for introductions to the other captains. Whether gentlemen clamored for their attention and promised all sorts of diversions from hunting to billiards. What madness! It was all he could do not to laugh out loud at these colonials. While he might be admired in London Society, at least the ladies there exhibited a bit more decorum.
He glanced down at his companion and saw her pursed lips just below her hat brim. It was too much. Suddenly lighthearted, he chuckled at the absurdity. Dinah tilted her head prettily, peered up at him and released her own musical laughter.
“Am I to assume,” he said, “this is not the usual Sunday morning in St. Augustine?”
Her merriment increased until her brown eyes watered. “Oh, no. Well, perhaps our citizenry grows a bit more…lively whenever a new regimental officer arrives.” She wiped away a tear and shook her head. “So you can imagine how they respond to the rare arrival of new naval officers.”
“Unlike yourself.” He meant to tease her, but his tone sounded wrong in his ears, more an accusation. More the way he would speak to an insubordinate sailor.
Suddenly sober, she gazed up at him, and he steeled himself to hear an affirmation of his ill-spoken words. But she did not speak for several moments as they continued down the narrow street.
“Tell me, Captain,” she said at last, “do you enjoy discussions regarding religion?”
Surprised, but glad for the change of subject, he considered the question. “When I was a lad, my family did not speak of our faith, but we attended services without fail. One is expected to set an example whether as the son of a nobleman or as an officer in the military.” He paused, hoping his reference to being wellborn did not sound arrogant. “Until I met your good brother, I do not recall ever having a deep conversation about religion with anyone.”
Her lovely smile returned, and her eyes shone with pride. “Jamie is rather bold about such matters, is he not?”
“He is, much to his credit. My brother Robert and I have both benefitted by his concern for our souls.” And their eldest brother, Lord Bennington, as well, although the newly-elevated earl might not acknowledge it.
“And of course Frederick and Marianne.” Her eyebrows rose.
“Marianne has always been a woman of faith.”
“Yes, she is much like Anne.” She was silent for a moment, but her thoughtful expression kept him from speaking. “You do not mention Frederick.”
“Mmm.” He would not burden her with his fraternal discord. If their planned trip to Bennington Plantation became a reality, she would soon enough see how things stood between his younger brother and him, a thought that did not sit well on his mind.
“Mmm,” she echoed, but her voice and expression held no censure, which Thomas found refreshing, reassuring.
They walked in companionable silence for several moments. At least Thomas hoped she felt as relaxed as he did. The day was fair, if hot, but a few shady oaks and breezes from the ocean gave them intermittent respite from
