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“It will be just a little something. Nothing terribly fancy, only a few courses.”
Musgrave cast Daniel a concerned look.
Daniel’s eyebrows rose even as his lips flattened.
“I cannot precisely say what my movements will be at this time,” Musgrave finally said. “I am sorry.”
“Simply name the day. We should be very glad to accommodate you at your convenience. Perhaps this Friday might suffice?”
“Er, much obliged, I’m sure. Thank you for your consideration. Lady Bellingham, did I tell you that my friend here served with us too?” A touch of desperation tinged his words.
“You served at the Peninsular, Mr. Daniel?”
Perhaps he should finally own up. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Oh, so you fought with Balfour too!”
“Actually—”
“Well! I thought you just some kind of steward. In that case, Lieutenant, I wish your friend to come as well. If I cannot speak to the great man himself, I suppose it will be somewhat of a substitute to speak to you two.”
The inclination to confess frittered away in the light of her condescension. Oh, how great would be her disappointment. But still, his earlier resolve whispered truth be told.
“Lady Bellingham,” Daniel began, “I feel that I really must admit—”
“How thankful he is to receive such an invitation.” Musgrave smiled wickedly. “You have not received the like for simply an age, have you, my friend?”
“Not since London, that is true. Ma’am, I feel it only fair to say that I am actually—”
“Not partial to seafood,” Musgrave said. “So anything of that nature should best be avoided.”
Lady Bellingham threw Daniel a puzzled look, which hastened Musgrave to add in a lowered voice, “My friend doesn’t like to admit the dramatic effect such things have on his indigestion.”
Daniel’s jaw dropped, as Lady Bellingham and her husband gazed at him with fascination, as if imagining precisely what dramatic effect would occur should she offer him fish.
“Please excuse us.” Daniel departed from the interview before Musgrave could say anything more.
As soon as they were cleared from earshot, he shook his head. “Must you have chosen to speak so?”
“When it became obvious just how little she regards you, well, I was afraid I simply must.” Musgrave grinned. “At least this way you may be able to forgo the turtles.”
That was something. But still, the ping of conviction from before refused to be silent. “I wished to confess just now, but someone would not permit it.”
“I was thinking of what would happen to poor Miss Stapleton should your identity be revealed. This is not exactly the place one would wish to own up to having misled the entire village.”
Ah, yes. Of course. He should have realized the same. Perhaps it was just as well he had said nothing now. He supposed he could afford to be patient a little longer.
The Stapleton women drew near.
“Ah, ladies,” Daniel said, diverting conversation. “I trust my poor leg has not delayed you.”
“I rather think it is the other way around,” Miss Stapleton said, before saying that Becky had been invited to dine with the Cleevers, and the Rileys were having luncheon with others, and as such they needn’t wait any longer.
Musgrave assisted both ladies into the carriage before turning his attention to Daniel, helping him to ascend and pivot with one heavily strapped leg in the air, then carefully maneuvered inside.
Once they were settled and Robert encouraged to depart, Theodosia gestured to his leg. “I hope such an outing has not proved deleterious to your recovery, sir.”
“Thank you. I rather hope for that too.”
