I glanced out the window, finding it was another fine day with no rain. “I thought we were going to be shooting today.”
“Your father mentioned that, but Mr. Howard said he didn’t want to shoot without you, and we all thought perhaps you weren’t feeling well. They decided to postpone it until tomorrow.”
My shoulders slumped. I wrapped my hand around Hattie's elbow and dropped my head on her shoulder. “I was really looking forward to that.”
It had been too long since I felt like I had any control over my life, and holding a gun in my hands always made me feel anchored and capable.
Hattie patted my cheek. “It will only be one more day. And in the meantime we will get to explore Captain Calder’s estate.”
We? “I thought you and Captain Calder were the only ones riding there.”
She laughed. “Alone? Of course not. Can you imagine the way Mrs. Wickerton would talk? Several of us are going. Please come. I really want you to see his estate. I’d like to know what you think of it.”
I’d seen it several times. It was rundown, practically abandoned, and... well... whimsical in an enchanting way. As if every corner of the grounds held secrets, hiding places, and perhaps a few fairy sprites left over from a time long forgotten. “I’ve seen it.”
“But you haven’t seen inside. And you haven’t walked the grounds.”
“True.”
“You will come?”
I squeezed my eyes shut and nodded against her shoulder. For Hattie, I would do anything, even watch her fall in love with Applewood. Because she would. It was as enchanting as she was and Hattie’s cheerful brightness would blend in seamlessly among the frolicking sprites and elves.
I should have simply gone to breakfast. We could have been shooting guns instead.
“Thank you for breakfast,” I said, my eyes wetter than they should be. Hattie gave and gave, always looking out for me. She showed me—with her letters that never waned in consistency and with little actions like this roll—that she didn’t blame me for Matilda leaving or the position her elopement had put the Pryor family in. She deserved happiness more than anyone I knew. “I really was hungry.”
She shook her head and heaved a sigh. “If only there was some place in this house you could have found sustenance... ” Hattie tapped a finger to her nose. “A room, wherewith you could have broken your fast... ”
I pushed away from her and raised my eyes to the ceiling. “I know, I know. Tomorrow I will be certain not to miss it.”
Hattie pulled me up off the bed with both hands. “If you do, I’ll bring you food again. But for now, let’s get ready to visit Captain Calder’s estate. You may not be ill but I think you could use a little color in your cheeks.” She pulled me closer to her and, before I could react, pinched me hard on both cheeks.
“Hey,” I pulled back.
“Much better,” she said, her green eyes beaming with pride.
“You are looking a little pale yourself.” I sneaked forward.
But we’d had too many pinching fights start in just such a manner, and she was out of the room with a giggle and a wink before I could catch her.
Captain Calder had beenadamant Charlie attend our outing, a fact that resulted in Charlie riding beside him, pestering him with questions, laughing at answers, and sharing stories of Charlie’s own exploits in the manner of a loyal pup desperate for attention.
If Charlie’s undying neediness annoyed the captain at all, he didn’t show it. His laughter and smiles were genuine, but I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. We were already nearly to Applewood and the captain hadn’t had a single chance to interact with Hattie. He was too busy entertaining my twelve-year-old brother.
Hattie had been riding between the two lieutenants, while Mr. Howard had spent most of the ride next to me. He’d been congenial, as always, but I’m afraid my answers had been distracted by Charlie’s excessive dependance on the captain throughout the ride—so much so, the last several minutes we’d ridden in silence.
“He is remarkably good with Charlie, isn’t he?” Mr. Howard asked.
I jerked my gaze away from the captain and my brother. “Who is?”
Mr. Howard outright laughed at that, so loudly both Charlie and Captain Calder turned back in the saddles to glance at us. Mr. Howard chose that moment to bring his horse so close to mine our legs brushed up against each other. He leaned to theside and with a hand half covering his mouth whispered, “The captain.”
I raised my eyes skyward. “There is no need to whisper. No one is close enough to hear what you are saying. And yes, the captain is good with Charlie. His kindness will earn him a devotee for life.”
“And who will that be?” Vincent said, his voice returning to normal.
I jerked my head in my brother’s direction. “Charlie.”
