At the Captain's Command. Louise Gouge M.

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СКАЧАТЬ a fawning smile “—courageous men such as yourself—nevertheless, I shall never be able to forgive or forget the cutting words of my childhood friends as we departed.” Anger flashed in his eyes, but he seemed to remember himself. “No, Captain, I shall not return to Nantucket. St. Augustine is my home now.”

      “And these four years,” Anne said, “have been more than pleasant, have they not? Here amongst other Loyalists and the British citizens who have settled here, those of us who have been displaced have come to appreciate our English heritage more than ever.”

      She glanced between Dinah and the captain, and Dinah quizzed her with a look. At the lift of Anne’s eyebrows, Dinah gave her head a little shake. She must cut short her friend’s matchmaking. As engaging as Thomas was, with all his travels at sea, he would make a poor choice for a husband. At least for Dinah.

      “And how we do appreciate Governor Tonyn.” Calmer now, Artemis puffed out his chest like a rooster. “I’d not been here two months before he employed me as a clerk, and he has personally seen to my subsequent promotions.”

      Dinah could detect no hint of boredom in Thomas’s expression as they related their stories, but surely it was time to inquire about his interests. “Now it’s your turn. Please tell us about your move to our city.”

      He lifted one shoulder in a shrug Dinah found charming for one of such august rank. “There is little to tell. My ship is the HMS Dauntless, a forty-six-gun frigate, which you may have seen in the harbor. After three years in Admiral Rodney’s fleet, I’ve been given the duty to join His Majesty’s other two frigates in protecting St. Augustine and the St. Johns River from the French and Spanish fleets. And of course any colonial vessels foolish enough to wander this way.” He took another bite of his pie. “Delicious. My compliments to the cook.”

      Artemis shifted in his chair, and from the narrowing of his eyes, Dinah guessed what he would say. “And while you protect our shores, by chance will you be responsible for ridding us of pirates?”

      “I suppose you are referring to the one they call Nighthawk.” The captain appeared more interested in his pie than the question. He ate another bite and seemed to savor it.

      A wave of satisfaction swept through Dinah at the thought of pleasing the captain’s palate. If she had not dried those peaches last fall—

      “I do indeed refer to Nighthawk, and I will be nothing short of disappointed if you do not apprehend this brigand and sink him.” Artemis’s lips curled into a sneer as he spoke. “I have dabbled a bit in commerce, and he has stolen my wares. Mine, Captain Moberly.” He clenched his jaw and shoved away his pie. “Our mutual friend Captain Templeton was delivering molasses to Jamaica when this pirate accosted him. Of all the cargo on the ship, he seized only my barrels. It was a dreadful loss.”

      Dinah took a turn at clenching her jaw. “At least Jamie and his crew were not harmed.”

      “Thank the good Lord.” Thomas gave his head a little shake. “I hear strange reports about that fellow Nighthawk. He seems to avoid bloodshed. Perhaps that reputation encourages merchant captains to give him what he asks for. Most pirates are murderers as well as thieves.”

      “Do you mean to say—” Artemis’s eyes bulged “—that these merchant captains permit this pirate to rob them? That you think Templeton just handed over my molasses?”

      Dinah huffed out a breath to express her indignation. “I am certain Jamie did all he could to protect your precious cargo…short of being shot or losing any of his crew.”

      Thomas’s wide-eyed gaze darted between her and Artemis, and she wished she’d tempered her cross tone. “I agree, Miss Templeton. In fact, I know how fiercely he would defend the wares entrusted to his care. To reassure you, let me say that I had the privilege of advising him in regard to refitting the Fair Winds to provide support for increasing his firepower. She now sports twenty-four guns and a crew trained to use them. That is a defense equal to many smaller British frigates. Should a pirate show an inclination for carnage, Jamie will have the wit, will and resources to engage him in battle.”

      Artemis continued to grumble, but Dinah’s heart overflowed with happiness for all this good captain had done for her brother. “You must know how grateful Jamie is for your help. He has told us of your father’s involvement in preventing impressments of the Fair Winds’ crew. The earl’s patronage has no doubt been the single most important element in Jamie’s success as a merchant captain.” Dinah also did not doubt for a moment that the earl’s patronage had ensured Jamie’s loyalty to England and the Crown, despite his former support for the rebellion. “When you next write to Lord Bennington, please convey to him a sister’s gratitude.”

      Pain ripped across his eyes but disappeared so quickly Dinah wondered if she’d been mistaken.

      “Yes, dear lady. I shall be pleased to convey your thanks to Lord Bennington.”

      “Ah, such a grand thing to be the son of an earl,” Artemis said. “I’ve had the privilege of becoming acquainted with your brother Frederick, and I am deeply impressed by his management of Bennington Plantation. Your father must be proud of his four sons.”

      Again, Dinah saw a shadow flit across Thomas’s face. Instead of responding, he lifted his coffee cup and sipped, focusing on his plate.

      “Just think—” Artemis prattled on “—to have one’s future all arranged and not to have to work one’s way to success.” He expelled a lengthy sigh. “Tell me, Captain Moberly, what is it like never to have doubts about one’s future?”

      The man’s face was a mask as he turned a dead stare upon Artemis. “I serve at the king’s pleasure, sir, but only the Almighty holds the future.”

      Artemis’s animated countenance went blank. “Yes. Of course.”

      Thomas had long ago perfected the art of ending a discussion he did not wish to continue. Hussey was clearly ambitious, and his puffed-up demeanor did not invite confidences. A man had to be careful what he said to this sort, lest he take the bit and run with it. Thomas would not discuss family matters when there seemed to be some tension between Hussey and Dinah. Did the man treat her with honor, with respect? If not, Thomas would see things set to right.

      Still, these St. Augustine Loyalists had decent manners, and Mrs. Hussey appeared to be the soul of Christian gentility. But for the husband, Thomas might request the ladies’ prayers regarding the tasks before him, for he would catch this Nighthawk chap, whom he must call a pirate merely because he was the enemy. But in truth, Thomas regarded him much like British privateers who gained wealth by raiding the cargoes of their foes. Still, the challenge to catch him was enticing, and success in the endeavor would ensure another feather in Thomas’s cap.

      As it was, he must find some way to speak with Miss Templeton alone without offending Mr. and Mrs. Hussey. A gentleman simply did not request a private conversation with a young lady unless he meant to court her. But the grief weighing down his soul clamored to be relieved, and his kinswoman’s warm gaze invited his confidence…as well as some strange yet pleasant sentiments he could only attribute to their familial connections. That very morning, Dr. Wellsey had spoken of her good deeds among the sick and wounded soldiers from Fort St. Marks, citing her sympathetic disposition and natural kindness. Thomas had also noted her good humor, strangely subdued in Hussey’s presence.

      “Anne.” Dinah’s cheerfulness had returned, and her lively brown eyes shone. “Since the sun has not set, do you suppose it would be acceptable for me to show Captain Moberly our garden?”

      Thomas СКАЧАТЬ