Page 26 of The Return of the Rake

“Oh.” King stopped, not having considered that Mrs Honeywell had not poked her head around the door, as she would certainly have done when he was a boy, after being hauled off to the vicarage to have his injuries tended or a hot meal set before him. “I did not know, I… I am so very sorry. She was without a doubt the kindest lady I have ever known.”

The reverend’s eyes grew misty. “She was. She was indeed.” He then raised the bottle beside him and looked comically surprised to see how much of it was gone. “Good heavens!”

“Heaven had nothing to do with it,” King said dryly. “And I think you’d best have a nap and then a large pot of coffee before you go about the town, for I know who will be blamed for leading you into wickedness if you try at the moment.”

“A nap does sound like a splendid idea,” Honeywell said, smothering a yawn as King pushed to his feet.

“Well, don’t stir, old man. I’ll find my own way out.”

“And I shall arrange a meeting for you and Thomas,” he said with a sigh. “Don’t forget your promise.”

“I never—” King began and then gave it up. There really wasn’t any point at all.

Chapter 6

Bring a long spoon.

The Mermaid’s Tale, Little Valentine, East Sussex,4th October 1815.

“What exactly do you think you’re playing at?”

Anne sighed inwardly. She had known this moment would come, though she had avoided it for as long as possible. Mrs Fairway finally had her alone in the kitchens, however, and meant to say her piece.

“I can’t think what you mean,” Anne replied calmly, diligently adding items to the shopping lists she would get Martha to deliver to the various shops on the high street in the morning.

“Don’t you go playing off your airs and graces with me, pet,” Mrs Fairway said with a snort, pausing when there was a great hissing and spitting as she basted the meat she was roasting. Once the noise had abated, she looked up at Anne. “Don’t you think I know he’s a handsome devil, and as charming too, when he puts his mind to it. Reckon you’re the first pretty girl he’s made up to with his winning ways?”

“I am not so green as that,” Anne said crossly, annoyed that Mrs Fairway should believe her so gullible. “You do remember how it was we landed here together?”

“I do, indeed, and I mean to see that you don’t get yourself into another fix what needs running away from.”

“It’s only dinner, Mrs Fairway, and no one but Mr King, you, and I need know a thing about it.”

“No more sense than a peagoose,” Mrs Fairway grumbled, shaking her head.

“I have no intention of being Mr King’s conquest!” Anne said hotly. “That’s precisely why I agreed to dine with him, to show him I am not so easily won over.”

“Oh, great work,” the lady replied with a crack of laughter.

Anne stiffened with indignation. “Well, why ought I not have dinner with him? He is handsome and charming as you said, and I find him entertaining. Why not let him flatter and coax me and let me feel like I am not a dried-up old spinster for a few hours?”

Mrs Fairway sighed and wiped her hands on her apron. “No reason at all when you put it like that, except that it’s dangerous. I don’t understand why you don’t just let Captain Dearborn court you. He’s a fine figure of a man and clearly head over ears for you.”

“He is not in love with me!” Anne said crossly. “Captain Dearborn cannot love me, for he does not understand me, nor make any attempt to do so. He is enamoured of the idea of me, but his idea is all wrong. The man wants to rescue a maiden in distress and look after her. He’s a lovely man, and chivalrous too, but I do not need or want rescuing. I should go mad having him fuss about me, always checking if I was warm enough or comfortable or if I ought to sit down and rest, and I should make him miserable because I would not let him care for and cosset me as he longs to do.”

Mrs Fairway looked wistful. “Well, I wouldn’t mind a bit of fuss and cosseting.”

“Then you marry him!”

“I would, should he be so daft as to look my way!”

“Oh, Hilda,” Anne said with a sigh. “I don’t want a man to take over my life. I’m happy, very happy. I have made a success of my hotel, a great success if next summer’s bookings are anything to go by, and I won’t have some man swanning in and taking it over. This place is mine and I shall not give it up!” Anne folded her arms, indignation stiffening her limbs at the very idea. Her dearest Mrs Fairway smiled gently and patted her shoulder.

“I understand better than anyone,” she said softly. “But the nights are drawing in, and they’re long and cold without a fellow to warm you. Do you really want to die never having known what it is to love and be loved?”

Anne’s throat grew tight with some unnamed terror, a fear she had not voiced even to herself, yet ate away at her all the same. “No. No, I don’t, but… but why should I marry to achieve that? Everyone thinks I’m a widow and widowed ladies have rather more leeway if they’re discreet.”

“In a big town or city, maybe!” Mrs Fairway said, eyes wide with shock. “Not in a place like this where gossip flies from house to house quicker than a bleedin’ bluebottle, spreading dirt as it goes.”