At the Captain's Command. Louise M. Gouge

rewarded by Macy’s discovery of his epaulet tassels. The cat batted the moving woven strands and caught a claw on one. Thomas grimaced to see some gold threads pulled loose. “Uh-oh.”

      “Oh, now, that is the end.” Dinah reached up to remove her pet, taking care with his entangled claws. “You must let me mend those braids. How will you explain to your steward that you were in a brawl with a fellow no bigger than your forearm?” She set the cat on the ground and tried to shoo him away, but Macy followed them down a row of squash plants until he spied a lizard and gave chase. Dinah’s laughter resonated pleasantly around the garden. Not too high. Not too low. Not in the least giddy. Thomas would happily listen to that merry sound often.

      “Do not trouble yourself. I shall tell Hinton I was attacked by a panther.” Thomas inhaled the fresh fragrance of the varied plants. Beyond the vegetable garden grew a small field of lavender, casting a pleasant atmosphere about the place. A fig tree, several citrus trees and a grapevine-covered arbor graced sections of the landscape. An ancient oak tree stood sentinel in one corner of the green yard, its long branches reaching wide to cast shadows over a cast-iron bench that seemed to beckon them.

      Orange and violet tinted the western sky, and a feeling of peace swept through Thomas. He gestured toward the bench. “Shall we?”

      “Of course.”

      Seated beside him, Dinah gazed up, her eyes soft with concern. “What did you wish to tell me, Captain Moberly?”

      He chuckled without mirth. “That obvious, eh?” He bit his lower lip while framing his words. With this intelligent, warm-hearted young woman, he sensed he could, for the most part, be candid. “Eight years have passed since my brother Frederick left England.” Thomas would not mention the bitter rivalry that had plagued their childhood. “Marianne left to marry Jamie four years ago.” Unexpected emotion rolled through his chest at the memory of the heartache her departure had caused. “I feel as if we are strangers.” He stared off at the darkening eastern sky while he gained control. “Therefore, I must ask your advice on how best to tell my brother and sister about the death of our father. You see, Frederick now serves at the pleasure of our eldest brother.”

      Chapter Four

      “Ooh.” Dinah breathed out the word on a long, broken sigh, and her eyes burned with sudden tears. “Dear Captain, I am so sorry for your grief.” She gripped his hand. In spite of the dim light, she thought she saw his eyes redden, and her heart swelled with compassion. Experiences with the sick and broken men at the infirmary had taught her that in moments like these, silence was the best comforter.

      He covered her hands with his free one for a moment before gently pulling away. “I would not have your kind condolences misunderstood by Mr. Hussey.”

      He glanced toward the house, and she followed his gaze. There stood Artemis staring out through the dining room window. Dinah doubted he could see into their shadowed sanctuary, but she had no wish to feed his imaginings.

      “Yes, of course.” She rose and walked toward a sunlit patch of lawn. The captain followed. “To answer your question, I must ask one.” She stopped and faced him. “Will your duties permit you a leave of absence to deliver your sad news in person?”

      He stood with hands clasped behind him and stared toward the line of trees at the edge of the property. “Your instincts seem to be in accord with mine. A letter would be too cruel, especially for my dear sister.”

      Dinah nodded. “Yes, and especially considering her delicate condition.”

      “Ah.” Thomas’s eyes widened. “Little James is nearing three years, is he not? Time to welcome a little brother or sister.” A flash of pain crossed his eyes. “We must do nothing to cause her difficulty.”

      Dinah guessed he referred to his own wife’s death in childbirth, but she would not seek a confirmation. “Do not be overly concerned, Captain. Marianne is strong and healthy. And in three weeks, Dr. and Mrs. Wellsey will be going to St. Johns Towne for her lying-in. You will be pleased to know that Mrs. Wellsey is a skilled midwife. I plan to accompany them. Perhaps you could travel with us.” She would greatly enjoy his company on the arduous overland trip.

      “Hmm.” His black eyebrows bent into a frown. “I had hoped to put the matter behind me without delay, but perhaps this is the Almighty’s way of managing the affair.” He grunted. “In fact, I find myself grateful for the reprieve.”

      Dinah offered a gentle smile. “I understand.” How good to hear of his trust in God, an attribute worthy of a superior leader, just like her brother.

      Gazing down at her, he nodded. “I thank you.” As if wanting to break their solemn mood, he inhaled a quick, sharp breath and glanced around the garden. “This is a charming place, both this property and this little town. Tell me, Miss Templeton, what keeps you busy here beside your good works at the infirmary?”

      Dinah could see he wished to move on to a lighter topic, and she was pleased to comply. “You may be surprised to learn, sir,” she said with a playful toss of her head, “that we have a very active social life here.”

      He chuckled. “Do tell me about it.”

      “Why, we have teas and parties and balls and picnics and no end of merry times. And of course the men go hunting.” She gave him a sidelong look. “You will be in great demand, Captain. Every mother of a marriageable young lady will seek your company.” Her teasing words threatened to stick in her throat. As before, she could not think of a single young lady worthy of this man, not even dear, wealthy Elizabeth Markham, for the girl rarely had a serious thought. Still, Dinah found herself nattering onward. “In fact, if you attend services at St. Peter’s Church this Sunday, I shall make certain you are introduced to the cream of our society.”

      Again her words gave her pause. Growing up the son of an English earl, the captain no doubt had met truly exalted personages, perhaps even the king. Ignoring her uncertainties, she eyed him. “What do you say to that?”

      Again he laughed. “I say that it would be imprudent of me to ignore your invitation if I expect to escape boredom in your fair town. In fact, I try never to miss attending worship services when I am ashore. And if I can be introduced into St. Augustine society at church, all the better.” He raised one eyebrow the way Jamie did when he was about to tease. “Speaking of social matters, I must tell you that my lieutenant, Mr. Wayland, was quite taken with you. ’Twas all I could do to keep him from following me here this evening. If he asks me as your kinsman for permission to call on you, what shall I tell him?”

      “Oh, my.” She could still feel the young officer’s too-firm clasp of her hand and see the overeagerness in his eyes. “You must tell him he would do better to pursue another.” She kept her tone cheerful. “You see, I have vowed never to marry a seafaring man, for I will not live as a widow while I am wed.” The slight dimming of his smile caused her a pang of regret, for she did not intend to disparage Thomas’s profession. Nonetheless, she would not have sailors, even officers, coming to call. Of course, she would not count Thomas among the unwelcome ones, but then, he was her brother-in-law.

      “Then I will do all in my power to protect you from such suits.” He looked toward the house and offered Dinah his arm. “Miss Templeton, pray let us put Mr. Hussey at ease.”

      She thought she detected a tiny smirk on the captain’s lips, but she dared not surrender to the giggle bubbling up inside her. “And let us escape these mosquitoes as well. This is the time of evening they come out to bother us.” She waved away the insects trying to land on her bare hand. Inside they would be protected by the fine mosquito netting over the windows, an expense even Artemis had been eager to indulge in.

      Halfway on their trip to the side door, the captain stopped, serious once again. “Are you well protected in this house, Miss Templeton?”

      She blinked in surprise. “Wh-why, yes, Captain.” Her heart warmed at his concern. Every word, every gesture endeared this man to her. Were he not a seafarer, she might even set her cap for him. But that was nonsense. He was a