AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The older lady blushed. “You are too charming, Captain Hawkins.” A few of the other female servants at the table nodded and agreed. “Just you wait until you taste my Christmas dinner.” The hint of an Irish brogue wove through her voice, and her hair beneath the mob cap was red mixed with gray, another testament to her roots.
“Nothing could tear me away. Already, you spoil me.” So saying, he took another jam tart from the plate in front of him and popped the whole thing into his mouth. They were his favorite, and once the cook had discovered that, she’d made them every day.
“A man needs a taste of home every now and again.”
“Agreed.” He glanced across the table to a familiar footman. “Thomas, is it?”
“Yes, Captain Hawkins.” The younger man grinned. Perhaps it was a thrill to be noticed.
“How long have you been at the Ravenscroft estate?”
“Around three years. Christmastide is my favorite time of the year because then it feels as if my services are finally needed and appreciated.” He shrugged while the others at the table murmured in agreement. “Otherwise, it’s a bit dull, you see.”
Perhaps everyone was only looking for their place in life where someone would want them for themselves.
Mrs. McGee nodded. “I’m sorry to say Lady Ravenscroft has led a quiet life since coming here. Even when her husband was alive.”
“He was a good man? A fair lord?” It wasn’t well done of him to question the servants, but he needed answers.
“Most of the time.” The cook chuckled. She looked at the housekeeper. “Life was busy when he was alive, what with his friends over and hunting parties thrown.”
“Oh, indeed.” Mrs. Peters nodded then sipped her tea. This time in the afternoon was after tea had been served upstairs but before preparations for dinner. “Lord Ravenscroft—God rest his soul—indulged my lady when she wished to entertain but they were rarely together at those events.”
The cook nodded so vigorously her chins wobbled. “He was always moving, that one. Playing cards, taking people over the property, riding horses, racing carriages, or was closeted with Mr. Sherwood his steward.” She shrugged. “Without wee ones to keep his attention and further the title, I’m afraid he and Lady Ravenscroft drifted apart.”
The butler cleared his throat. “Such gossip is beneath all of you.” Censure rode heavily in his voice. “Our lady’s history is not our concern.”
No wonder the poor thing had been so out of sorts when he’d arrived. She had been largely out of practice in entertaining or even interacting with another person. “Come now, Mr. Bearing.” Hawk regarded the aging man with what he hoped was a disarming smile. “It’s reasonable to assume everyone at this table and beneath this roof only wishes the best for Lady Ravenscroft. Do you think she will ever leave these grounds?” After being with Belle yesterday afternoon, after what they’d shared, after what they’d done together, his curiosity about her had increased exponentially.
And since she’d avoided him today—he assumed, for he’d been unable to locate her—the next best thing was to speak with the people who knew her best.
A shrewd light twinkled in the housekeeper’s eyes. “I’m sure we couldn’t say, Captain, but aren’tyouthe one engaged to her? That is something the two of you should discuss.”
Heat went up the back of his neck. Obviously, the servants had picked up on the gossip. It had no doubt been overhead that evening in the drawing room. “I… That is to say…” He cleared his throat. It wasn’t yet time to destroy the bit of fiction. “Yes, weareengaged. However, I am not certain she is suited to spend the remainder of her life in the country. She is too vital, has much to give yet.”
Eight pairs of eyes stared at him.
He shrugged and resisted the urge to tug on his suddenly too-tight cravat. “I feel that she could do much good here if she would just believe it of herself.” When no one said anything, he sighed. “I am looking for ways to connect with Lady Ravenscroft, and as much as I detest admitting to this weakness, I am not talented when it comes to dancing.” When she’d talked of adoring the exercise the other day and knowing her husband only indulged her at the Christmas Eve ball, he wanted to give her that as a gift. “Could any of you possibly teach me?” Then he rushed to clarify. “But keep it a secret. I want to surprise her.”
Both the housekeeper and cook beamed at him, while one of the maids sighed. It was Mrs. Peters who answered. “Mr. Bearing and I would be happy to teach you a few of the more popular dances, but how is it you don’t know? From everything we’ve heard, you come from a good family. That should have been part of your upbringing.”
This time the heat from his neck spread to his chest. “That is so. However, while my brothers took to that sort of thing, I was a bit rebellious. I escaped the house every chance I had and evaded numerous dancing masters and governesses.”
The butler frowned. “Surely at school you learned.”
“I gleaned the basics, for I knew doing the pretty in ballrooms wasn’t in my future. Such things aren’t useful on the battlefields, and I had other uses for my skills.”
Mr. Bearing narrowed his eyes. “Yet you were undoubtedly invited to society events whenever you were in London. How is it you haven’t learned to dance?”
How indeed. It was a skill a spy should have, and it bothered him more times than not. “There was always a mission, always something to do that I couldn’t accomplish on a dance floor.” Knots of panic pulled in his belly. “At present, I can only perform a country reel, but that will not impress Belle, er, I mean Lady Ravenscroft.” This time hedidtug on his cravat. The heat had spread into his cheeks. “I thought she might enjoy dancing with me.”
The cook regarded him as if he were the most adorable puppy. “I remember when my Jimmy danced with me on our wedding day. It was so much fun.” She pointed a pudgy finger at the housekeeper. “Put the boy out of his misery and show him the steps.” Then she regarded the butler. “You too, Mr. Bearing. Even a blind man can see how enamored he is of our lady. This is something we can all be proud of.”
Was that true? There was certainly an attraction between the two of them, and he was growing fond of her. But enamored? One step over from love?
That remained to be seen.
One of the maids perked up. “I wouldn’t mind partnering the captain.”
