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Chapter 5
The intoxicating scent of candied apples and roasted nuts brought on a sudden sugar craving in Esther. But then— looking at Captain Morgan—she had to stifle a giggle. All around them were delicate pieces of china, vases, saucers, and tiny delicate cups that she was sure would be crushed under his fist.
He looks like a bull in a china shop.
A plump woman was bustling behind the large wooden counter, fixing jars filled with syrupy cuts of fruit, laying out pans of sugar-dusted sweets, delicate cakes, and other sugary delicacies.
Captain Morgan doffed his hat. “Good afternoon ma’am.”
She smiled, “And you too, My Lord. How can I ‘elp you and the lovely missus?”
Red flamed Esther’s face, but Captain Morgan looked smug. Instead of him correcting the lady, he asked, “Mrs. Holland, I take it? I’ve been told that you make the best lemon drops in London.”
“Perhaps,” the woman replied, “But it all depends on yer liking.”
“‘Tis not me,” Captain Morgan stepped away and rested a hand on the middle of her back, “Go ahead, darling. Choose which you’d like.”
Internally flabbergasted, Esther managed to ask for the same lemon drops and a slice of Madeira Cake. Mrs. Holland sliced a portion of the cake before setting it before Esther, “Here you go, My Lady, I ‘ave to get the tin of sweets from the back.”
While the woman left, Esther sampled the rich wine-filled cake and moaned under her breath. “It’s exquisite.”
His hand dropped lower on her back, “I’m glad you like it, but for my sake of mind, don’t make that sound again.”
The saucer in her hand nearly dropped, but Esther managed to place the plate on the table. Never had she had such blatant flirting—but she loved it. Captain Morgan had proved that he was not subtle in anything; how else could she expect him to go about showing his intentions.
Mrs. Holland bustled back in the room with a tin in her hands, “Here you go, My Lady. How do you find the cake?”
“Sumptuous,” Esther replied. “It melts in one’s mouth and is so potent. Thank you.”
“Would you like a cake, My Lady?” Mrs. Holland asked.
“I think—” Esther paused then and decided that two could play the game of make-belief. “—My Lord needs it more than I. He has an incomparable love for sweets and wine. Isn’t that right, My Lord.”
Surprise marked the Captain’s face, but he rebounded quickly, “I suppose it is. You know me so well, dear; one box, Mrs. Holland,” and when the woman disappeared into the back, to Esther, he tacked on, “well played.”
When the box was handed and the sums of money paid, they left the sweetshop to the carriage. Captain Morgan plucked out his timepiece, “Oh my, it's nearly four. I should return you home.”
Unwilling to go home so quickly, Esther asked, “Hadn’t you said there would be two more stops?”
“I had fancied a ride through Hyde Park, but that can be done another time,” Captain Morgan replied, “Today was hardly lacking, My Lady. I’ve enjoyed your company immensely.”
“As have I,” Esther smiled, “You’re truly an unconventional one, My Lord.”
“Thank you, and you are an incomparable lady,” the Captain stated. “I’m not a man who will write sonnets or odes to your beauty, for a lot of my sentimentalities were lost during the years I saw nothing but carnage. But, have confidence in me when I say that you are the most fetching lady I have ever seen.”
Her cheeks warmed, “Even when I am red as a fireplace?”
“Perhaps, more so,” he stated. “You’re enchantingly red as a fireplace.”
The carriage was entering the street to her townhouse and soon came to the carriage gate. With a quick flattering of his lips—which Esther hoped meant that he was not ready for the outing to end so quickly as she did—he stepped out of the carriage and helped her to her feet. After doing the same to Margaret, he escorted them to the door.
“May I call on you again?” he asked.
“Hyde Park in the winter is something I am told is a vision to be seen,” Esther smiled, her words giving implied permission for him to call on her.
Bowing, Captain Morgan said. “Have a wonderful evening, ladies.”
A footman held the door open for them to enter, but Esther lingered on the stoop to watch the man who had utterly enchanted her, leave. Her actions were utterly unladylike, but she did not want to step in yet. When the carriage drove off, only then did she go inside.
