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“Ah, an excellent result.” He grinned at her, showing his white teeth. “Come along, Victoria. Stand up and curtsy or whatever a lady is supposed to do, and I will kiss your hand.”
She did. His grin faded only when he placed a light kiss on her wrist. He felt the quiver of her smooth flesh and his eyes widened.
He didn’t look closely at her for many minutes.
“Will you keep her, ma’am?” he asked Lucia without preamble. He’d gotten her measure quickly enough, and planned not to disappoint her.
“I believe so, Captain,” said Lucia, enjoying herself so much the tatting was destined to remain under her chair cushion for many a long week to come. Hookham’s, also, would be bereft of one of its best customers.
It was over an excellently prepared first course of carrot soup, and turbot of shrimp sauce, that Rafael said, looking squarely at his hostess, “I assume that Victoria has told you everything?”
Victoria gasped over her carrot soup.
“Why should you think that, Captain?”
“Your cellars are excellent. Why? Well, you aren’t one to mince matters, ma’am. Victoria is of a trusting nature, once she accepts a person.”
“Yes, of course. First, I suppose, you must see to this solicitor of hers. What is his name, my dear?”
“Mr. Abner Westover,” said Victoria. “But, ma’am, I intend to see him myself.”
“No.”
“No.”
“I am not a silly child.” She looked from one to the other. “It is too bad of both of you.”
“Hush, child, and listen. I could accompany you to Mr. Westover’s offices, but it would be more strategically sound were Captain Carstairs to do it for you.”
“Correct observation, ma’am,” said Rafael, his eyes gleaming. The old lady was sharp as a tack.
“But—”
“Victoria,” Rafael said with exaggerated patience, then paused as John, the footman, directed by Didier, served the lavish second course of stewed kidneys, roast saddle of lamb, boiled turkey, knuckle of ham, mashed and brown potatoes, and something he thought was rissoles.
“Good Lord,” he said. “My stomach believes it has gained nirvana.”
Didier poured a superb bordeaux.
“Tell Cook that Captain Carstairs is pleased, Didier.”
“Yes, certainly.”
Rafael held his peace until the three of them were happily involved with knuckles and kidneys. “Now, as I was saying, I don’t imagine that Damien will simply bide his time in Cornwall. Once he discovers the twenty pounds missing, he is certain to notice that you also saw the letters.”
“He will hotfoot it to London, my dear, particularly if he has been misusing your inheritance. The captain is right.”
Victoria’s face became as white as her napkin.
“Now don’t you worry. You will be safe with me. It’s a pity you’re not older, but no matter.”
“Perhaps even if she were twenty-one, ma’am, it wouldn’t be enough. We have no idea as yet what the terms of her father’s will are.”
“You are quite right, my boy. Didier! Bring some of that Spanish port I laid down twenty years ago. I do believe it ready for drinking. No, Captain, the ladies won’t leave you. I drank port with my father and have a great fondness for it. I believe you gentlemen have convinced females that it’s unladylike to drink port so that you may have all the more.”
“Ma’am, you wound me.”
“I just happen to have some in the pantry, my lady.”
