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“Oh, you might not notice if you did not know her well, for she likes to hide her emotions behind a smile and jest. But it’s as though the light has left her eyes, and we see an empty shell. And I do not know what to do.” Her hands fluttered helplessly.
His stomach knotted. He’d give anything to share another of Theo’s quips or smiles.
The door opened, and further revelations were bridled by the reappearance of the subject in question, who moved to give her mother a cup of tea before resuming her seat.
Her reappearance seemed to put the general—who had, these past minutes, been studying Daniel with a deep and profound frown—in mind of his earlier rancor.
“You speak of regrets, Captain Balfour.” The general snorted. “You can apologize all you like, express a million regrets from here all the way to the Antipodes, but what are you going to do now?”
“He is leaving, Grandfather.” Theo’s unsmiling gaze finally connected with Daniel’s.
A painful thud resounded through his soul. Did she blame him? Did she despise him? He could not stand for that to be so. “I would not wish to bring any further harm to you all by my association here.”
Did she know he meant her, that it was thoughts of her alone that had kept him awake half the night? When daylight came, he had spent some time praying for God’s path to be made apparent, yet had no clear direction, save for the urge to attend here as soon as possible. To explain. To make amends, if that was at all possible.
“Harm?” Another snort from the elderly gentleman. “You talk of regretting your role in all of this, but it wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t decided to play a meek man’s game.”
“Grandfather—”
“No.” General Contrary held up a hand. “It is time this man took responsibility for his actions.”
“Sir, I—”
“Then in that case, Grandfather, you cannot point the finger just at the captain. You said, not ten minutes ago, that we were all responsible, that we all agreed allowing Becky to spend time with her uncle and grieve privately was quite the best thing. I will not let Captain Balfour shoulder the blame for something we all agreed to.”
“A courageous man would not let a woman defend him.” The general’s eyes held hostility—or was it challenge?
“Sir, I have no need for Miss Stapleton’s defense. I own my complete culpability.”
“That is very noble of you, Captain,” Theo said, “but untrue. You may recall that it was the both of us who initially bamboozled the Bellinghams into believing the hero she yearned to meet was not the man whom she met.” Her lips lifted. “And amusing it proved too.”
“Oh, Theodosia,” her mother groaned, “I always knew your levity would lead you astray.”
His heart lightened at Theo’s smile. Perhaps she did not wish him in Hades as he’d feared. “You are very gracious,” Daniel said. “But I really feel that the error was mine, and thus the remedy must be.”
“And how precisely do you plan to remedy this debacle?” the general snapped. “Judging from what that dunce Elvira said earlier, I should not be surprised if we see a dozen apologies to tonight’s dinner, which shan’t bother me too much but will likely distress Letitia and Theo here, not to mention that niece of yours.”
“Perhaps it would be best if you left for London today.” Theo studied her shoes.
“Leave today? And slink away like the lily-livered man he purports not to be?”
“Grandfather, that is enough! You cannot say such things about Captain Balfour. You may not admire all his actions, but youcannotdeny his decisiveness and courage in defeating the French and saving his men. Why, I saw you reading about it in the newssheets and commending such a feat. So don’t sit there and abuse him now, when we all know how courageous he is!” Her eyes flashed, her cheeks flushed pink, in her brave and kind defense of him.
He experienced another heart pang in recognition of the true beauty of this woman—inside and out—and just what a jewel she had always proved to be. Would always prove to be.
Her sense of humor appealed. Her sense of justice and duty matched his. Her faith and zest and passion for life plucked an answering chord within. He blinked, and in that moment it seemed as if his vision suddenly sharpened. True courage meant trusting God, even though the future was unknown. But one need not fear when trusting God to order one’s steps.
Daniel exhaled, peace flooding his soul. It was now abundantly clear what his path should be.
She pushed to her feet, which immediately drew Daniel to carefully rise again, before she offered a curtsy. “Forgive me, Captain. I have been remiss and forgotten I must speak with Annie about tonight’s arrangements.” She held out a hand. “I wish you safe travels, sir.”
He accepted her hand and gently caressed her knuckles.
Her breath caught. Her movements stilled.
“I will not leave you to face the naysayers alone.”
She drew her hand back, offering another small smile. “Fie, sir! Would you have me plead to own less than your courage? I would not have you think so ill of me.”
