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The Captain crossed his legs, and a smile curved one corner of his lips, “I can see the questions in your eyes that you are barely holding back, My Lady. Please, ask me.”
“You said that you travelled four places other than France,” Esther rushed, “Where were they?”
“Spain, Austria, Russia, and Africa, specifically the Cape of Good Hope where we had captured from the Dutch,” the Captain replied as his head canted to the side. “Do you have an interest in travelling, My Lady?”
“I find it fascinating,” Esther replied, shyly. “I haven’t travelled further than Cornwall, but back at Miss Strathgate’s School for Girls, a few of my friends travelled, one went to America once and a few to the West Indies. One told me that she had gone to India to wed a prince, but that one I doubt.”
“I would doubt that as well,” he snorted.
Twirling the rose on her lap, Esther asked, “Which one of those places made a mark on you? I mean—was anywhere special?”
His eyes dimmed, and a flash of—pain?—went across his face. She was feeling aghast that her innocent question had drawn up a horrible memory, and she rushed to apologize. “I am sorry. I never wanted to force you to think of any terrible—”
“No, no,” he shook his head and gave her a forgiving smile, “It’s perfectly fine. The place that touched my heart the most was this village outside of Austerlitz. There was a fountain there, made from white marble and surrounded by cobblestones with colours of the rainbow.
His gaze drifted away. “The locals swore that the spirit of Virgin Mary had touched the water decades ago and whoever drank of it would find their true love. The children from the town would play there, drop coins in the water, and have their sacred festivals there. They would place candles around it, and the light would cast over the stone. It was the prettiest sight you would ever see. I will never forget it.”
Were you ever in love? Had you drunk the water?
“Is it still there?” Esther asked, noting the deep wistfulness in his voice.
“I would hope so,” he said, seemingly shaking himself out of his nostalgia, “It was away from the site of the war, and I hope it is still standing.”
Turning to Margaret, Esther asked, “Would you send for some refreshments, Miss Smith? Perhaps some of that plum cake—”
“Pardon me,” Captain Morgan interrupted. “I apologize for cutting you off, but I was hoping we would take a ride to London. Forgive me for assuming, but I had a feeling that you are a book lover.”
Her eyes widened, and happiness soared in her heart, “Oh, yes, please. I have not been to Hatchards in months.”
Ethereal blue-silver glinted with pleasure, “We’re agreed, then?”
“Very much so,” Esther stood, “If you would excuse us, I have to don my coat. Please meet us in the foyer?”
Captain Morgan stood and bowed, “I’ll be there.”
With a hurried curtsy, Esther hurried out to her rooms with Margaret in tow with her. “Isn’t this wonderful, Margaret!”
“It is,” her maid said as she went to Esther’s wardrobe. After Esther rested the rose on the desk, she turned to find Margaret holding a coat and a matching hat for her to wear.
“Please,” Margaret gestured.
While Esther dressed and fixed her hat, Margaret fetched Esther’s half-boots and helped her change her silk slippers. When her mistress was ready, only then did Margaret draw on her stately dark pelisse.
Grasping her reticule, Esther checked if she had her sack of coins, handkerchief, calling cards, and her bottle of salts. Satisfied, Esther donned her gloves and took another look in the mirror.
“Shall we go, My Lady?” Margaret asked quietly.
“Yes, yes,” Esther said, but then stopped and went to her writing desk and scribbled out a quick note to her mother and brother. “There, we shall go now.”
Captain Morgan’s back was turned to her and he was speaking to a footman. She did her best to descend the staircase gracefully and not look too eager, but at the last two steps—tripped on the tails of her dress. Before the cry could leave her mouth, firm arms encased her. Esther’s face, pressed into Captain Morgan’s chest, burned with mortification.
He laughed but murmured into her ear, “I did not think you would be falling for me so quickly.”
Her embarrassment began to peter away but when the Captain gently lifted her and placed her on the ground, her heart began beating out of rhythm. With her face aflame, Esther fixed her hat to stop herself from looking at him. “Thank you, My Lord.”
“My pleasure,” Captain Morgan bowed, “Shall we go?”
Daring to look at him, she said, “Yes, please.”
