AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You have been laughing at us all this time!” his wife added.
Daniel sighed, regret kneading his chest. “I truly am most sorry for the upset I have caused.”
“I cannot believe that girl,” Mrs. Cleever said. “Always acting so sweet and kind, when really she is no better than a liar.”
“I must beg your pardon, but Miss Stapleton was simply following my request. To tell you the truth—”
“Finally.” Young Bellingham scowled at him as if he were a cockroach.
“When I was first in the area, I had no inclination for any frivolities. I arrived to learn my only sister had just died,” he reminded them. “To have been forced into parties and entertainments would have been neither appropriate nor welcome, and I was very thankful to find what respite I could at Stapleton Court.”
Mrs. Cleever sniffed, her eyes tapering further, and he wondered if she might soon hiss.
“Then, when I met with an unfortunate accident at Mannering, I was again able to find help at Stapleton Court, for which I have been immensely thankful for both their generous hospitality and their good intentions to keep my secret.”
“But they should have said something!” Lady Bellingham protested. “This is most unbecoming of you. And them.”
“Madam,” he addressed his hostess, “forgive me, but on our first encounter you were not exactly inclined to believe myself as anything but a servant.”
“Because you did not present yourself as anything but one.” Her eyes narrowed. “Did you or did you not tell me Captain Balfour was tall and fair?”
He bowed his dark head. “We—I—may have allowed you to believe such a thing, for which I am sorry.”
“So you were in cahoots with Miss Stapleton,” snapped Mrs. Cleever. “All this time she has known and said nothing.”
“She, and the general and Mrs. Stapleton. Oh, and the minister, the doctor, and Mr. Cleever. All sworn to secrecy.” He dared not look at the man seated next to his hostess at the far end of the table.
“Mr. Cleever knew?” the solicitor’s wife cried, turning to her husband. “And you didn’t tell me?” Her voice pitched up into a shriek.
“My dear, it was not my secret to share,” Mr. Cleever protested.
“Because it was mine,” Daniel said. “I am sorry, and I beg your forgiveness.” He glanced around the table. “For forgiveness from you all.”
“Indeed you should!”
“Most cavalier behavior!”
“Hardly the act of one thought to be England’s hero.”
He gathered most did not regard him as such anymore.
He was about to repeat his apologies when the cleared throat of the squire came from the head of the table.
“Upon reflection, I do not see why you should all take this as a personal affront, especially now when the young man has explained his reasons.”
“Sir Giles, don’t tell me that you knew about this too?” exclaimed his wife.
“I did not. But I can understand his reasoning, and while I don’t agree with his methods, I can see why he felt the need for this masquerade.”
Daniel glanced at Musgrave, whose face now wore a look of shame. “Perhaps it would be better if we leave—”
“You cannot depart now!” Lady Bellingham said. “Not after all this obfuscation. No, you maynotleave.”
Sir Giles shook his head. “My dear, you cannot force the man to stay.”
“By all that is right, I surely can! When I have wished for nothing more than to meet him, and this is how I’ve been repaid.”
“My dear—”
