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‘I’ll help you get them settled,’ Melina said, leading the older woman into the room Melina had prepared for the children.
Dane watched, unspeaking and unmoving.
Warrington kept his hand on Jacob’s shoulder, keeping his son near, and led Dane in the direction of the sitting room.
Once they reached the larger chamber, Warrington smiled at his brother. ‘Hope you do not mind finding somewhere else to stay. The children and the nursery maid will need rooms. The governess is in the other room.’
Dane’s brows rose. ‘Not at all. Not at all. I’m sure I can find someone who cares about me who’ll give me a pillow and scraps from their table.’
‘Aunt Adelphinia is always asking for you to spend more time with her,’ Warrington said.
Dane turned to him, face solemn. ‘Exactly what I was thinking. I so love playing whist with her and her friends. It brightens my evenings.’ He grinned. ‘But truly, War, you would not believe the tales those genteel ladies tell. They delight in shocking me.’
‘You’re easy to shock.’
Dane shrugged. ‘True. And did you have all the adventures you dreamed of on the journey? You were gone longer than expected.’
‘Only because we found an inviting island...full of lovely ladies...’ He let his face reminisce on glorious sights he never saw. ‘You need to go with Ben next time.’
Dane’s head bobbled and his smile was smug. ‘Oh, you’ll not catch me that easy.’ He paused. ‘So the trip—as bad as I said?’
‘Worse... Your brother...’ Warrington grumbled. ‘Put a captain’s coat on him and he thinks he’s Captain Cook without possibility of demise. I would insist you go with him on the next voyage, but that would surely increase the danger. With the two of you on board, the ship would sink. It was perilous enough this time.’
Dane watched him, waiting.
‘Ben banged himself up sliding around the ship in a storm. But he’s healing.’
‘Papa,’ Jacob interrupted, looking at his father. ‘I have a boat. I brought it. Nurse is keeping it for me. I want to show you.’
War brushed Jacob’s hair from his eyes. He was looking as ragged as the cabin boy. Warrington nodded and Jacob darted out through the door.
‘And the, uh...’ Dane tilted his head to the left, in the direction Melina had left. ‘The woman—you brought her back because we have no suitable English governesses to teach Willa the ways of our country.’ His eyes twinkled. ‘Instead, you find a woman—I’m sure you noticed—and install her in your house.’
‘We will not be discussing it.’ He sat on the sofa and looked at Dane. ‘And you will keep ten paces from her at all times—and keep your head down when she enters a room.’ He grinned at his brother. ‘Perhaps you should just leave now.’
‘I will visit Aunt Adelphinia. She says I am her favourite nephew.’ Dane spoke lightly, but he moved to lean against the unlit fireplace. ‘And is the mighty Captain Ben returning home before he sails again?’
‘He had to stay on Ascalon to make sure the repairs are being completed and to prepare her for the next voyage. As soon as the ship is ready, he’ll sail. But he will make time to see you and tell us he’s leaving.’
Dane nodded, lips pressed before he spoke. ‘I believe I’ll have to speak with Ben. You might not want to discuss the woman, but I’ll wager he will.’
‘Captain Little Brother will tell you Melina did spend some time with me. I took care of her when she was ill as I didn’t wish for any of the randy seamen to push themselves on her. And he will find great joy in telling you how he made up senseless errands to keep her busy so I could not enjoy her company to the fullest.’
‘Ha. If you had that woman near you, then you had enough time to find some comfort.’
‘Doesn’t signify. She’s here. As far as Jacob will know she is merely another servant. I’ve certainly dressed her in sacks.’
‘Those shapeless rags she is wearing do not hide all of her.’ Dane teased with his eyes.
Warrington nodded, picturing Melina’s form. If he had found Melina before he met Cassandra, things might have been different, but he hadn’t. And he had Jacob. Warrington needed to be a true father and he’d already brought enough turmoil into Jacob’s life.
‘Have you heard from our stepmother?’ Warrington asked.
‘Yes. You received a letter from her.’ Dane paused, moving the fripperies around on the mantel the way one would move chess pieces. ‘I did open it. I sent her the funds. And a firm response. From you. You were a bit angry. Much more so than I would have been. You bluntly told her she must stop the wagers.’
