‘A Captain is no company for a lady, Elizabeth,’ he said darkly.
Elizabeth began to wonder though how wrong her father was, especially each time she felt the Captain’s green eyes upon her.’
Emily broke off from the text as she realized what she was doing. In her mind’s eye, she had changed the Captain’s green eyes to blue, so dark that they were almost the color of midnight, the same shade that could be found in Lord Tattershall’s eyes. That was not all, for she was imagining Lord Tattershall in a Captain’s uniform, striding aboard a deck, and gazing in her direction.
Then the image changed again, for he was not looking her way. He was looking to a blonde-haired beauty that stood behind her, waving delicately in a ‘come-hither’ way in his direction.
“What am I doing?” Emily muttered to herself angrily as she returned to her text. “I have met a man once and apparently have let go of any real sense I have.”
* * *
“Well, maybe it is not such a bad idea.” Aaron placed down the card from his mother inviting him for tea and found himself ordering the carriage to attend. He had avoided such invitations for a while, but why should he on a morning like this? The sun seemed brighter, the flowers bloomed a little more, and even the butler’s happy humming did not irk him today. Instead, Aaron found himself joining in, much to the humor of the butler.
When the carriage came round, Aaron eagerly climbed inside and headed to his parents’ estate on the edge of London. He did not think of what it would be like to see his brother if he was around, he thought only of the night before at the ball and what a wonderful time he had.
He found himself trying to come up with new exciting riddles, planning to use them if he was ever so fortunate to join in the Dowding’s game again, yet his mind kept turning back to Lady Emily too, wondering if he’d have the opportunity to dance with her another time.
He was so lost in thought that the journey to the estate took no time at all. He clambered down from the carriage to meet the butler who escorted him across the fine lawn of the estate, toward a table and chairs that had been set up in the knot garden where his mother sat, shielding her eyes against the sun.
“Aaron!” she declared happily, jumping to her feet as he approached. He embraced he warmly as he reached her. Her once black hair was beginning to grey, having a delightful salt and pepper effect, but her eyes were as alert and alight as they ever were. As they stepped back from their embrace, it was these eyes that turned on him with excitement. “We have much to talk of.”
“Do we?” he asked as he took his seat beside her. “First, tell me how you are.”
“No, do not speak of me, I wish to speak of you! It has been so long since you have been here. I wish to know…are you truly well, Aaron?” He knew what she was asking. Where his father had always been quite absent, his mother had been very attentive. What she was truly asking was if he was happy.
“This morning, yes.” He answered with the truth. “I felt a lightness last night that seems to have changed my outlook this morning.”
“I am delighted to hear it.” She squeezed his shoulder lovingly before she reached forward to pour the tea for them both. “Tell me about who you met at the ball last night. I could have sworn you spent most of the night on young Lady Emily’s arm. Am I right – eek!” She squealed as she almost dropped the teapot.
“Mother? Is something wrong?” he asked, taking the teapot from her, and placing it down on the table. With her gaze past his shoulder, he grew aware of the problem. He turned in his seat to see Hugh approaching, with so much vigor and purpose in his stride, Aaron was in no doubt that Hugh had come uninvited to the tea.
“I am sorry, Aaron,” Joyce whispered hurriedly.
“Please, mother, do not apologize.” He hated how pained his mother looked knowing the two of them were at war. As Hugh stopped beside them, he fidgeted on his feet, looking extremely uncomfortable. Aaron stared up at him, not standing to greet him. If Hugh had something to say, Aaron would wait to hear it.
“I have come to apologize,” Hugh said slowly.
“What for? Your behavior last night?” Aaron asked, remembering the way Hugh had disparaged him in front of Lady Emily. It lacked any kind of respect and decorum, merely making his resentment for his brother fester further.
“No. You know what I am apologizing for.” Hugh looked at him pointedly.
“Ah, you wish to apologize for inducing Miss Drew into a compromising situation.” Aaron summed up the problem, watching as his mother flinched beside them, staring down at her teacup.
“It is not as simple as that.” Hugh spoke hurriedly. “Anyway, I am here to make my apology.”
“If you meant the apology, you would have given it months ago. When the event occurred.”
“You refuse to accept my apology?” Hugh asked, waving at him with derision.
“On the contrary, I’ll accept it, when I believe you mean it.” He knew the words were cold, but he could not hold himself back from speaking the truth. Hugh did not mean the apology, he seemed to be making it under duress. “Hugh, I grew up beside you. I watched you apologize to our mother when you did things wrong and didn’t mean it, you think I cannot tell when you are lying now?” Aaron’s words seemed to take down any last resilience Hugh had.
“Fine, be miserable for all I care.” Hugh threw the words in Aaron’s direction before he marched back in the direction of the house, cursing, and kicking flower heads over on route to the house.
“Hugh, the flowers!” Joyce called after him, but he clearly did not care. She lifted her eyes to meet Aaron’s gaze and sniffed, showing she was holding back tears.
“I am sorry, mother. You shouldn’t have to see this.” Aaron patted the back of her hand.
“All I want is for you both to be happy.”
