Serena

“Not quite confined, but well guarded, and it is a bit of a long story,” his lordship answered, giving Serena an imperceptible warning look.

“Well, the story is already running amok,” Eustace said. “One of my servants at the rectory confided in me yesterday that young Frederick was in grave danger because he and Serena saw some murdering scoundrel. This is a small town, and the news has already traveled.” He frowned. “You could not think it would be kept a secret?” Sighing he added, “At any rate, I have some business to discharge and must be off.”

They watched him make his way across the avenue, and then his lordship turned to say softly, his eyes on Serena, “I hadn’t realized how quickly it would spread all over Lymington.”

Serena eyed him. He was plotting something. His eyes told a story, at least to her. She had already discovered how they would click into different expressions and what those expressions might mean.

Everything about him drew on everything in her. What was she going to do? She would forever dream about him and about their lovemaking. She sighed to herself, as she was sure she was destined to be a spinster with only her memories to serve her.

“Serena … you are unusually quiet, and your eyes look sad,” he murmured.

“Sad? Oh no,” she said and tried to smile.

“I don’t think we should keep Serena standing here on the curb …” Warren put in, looking from her to his lordship with a frown.

“No, of course not. Where do we go next?” his lordship answered Warren, looking directly at him, a challenge evident in his stance.

Serena laughed. “Well, if you must, then it is to the apothecary.” As an afterthought she added, “However if you two have something else you might like to do … I can meet you at the Sweet Shoppe.”

“Sweet Shoppe?” his lordship inquired softly. “Is that what lured you to town, beauty?”

She smiled. “No, the apothecary lured me to town, and when I bumped into Warren here, he was kind enough to remember that I am hopelessly addicted to desserts and coffee.”

“And yet you appear as though you scarcely even eat, let alone sweets,” his lordship complimented her.

Warren snorted with the humor and liberty of an old friend. “Have you ever seen her at the dinner table …?”

Serena rapped his arm. “Off with you … I shan’t be but a minute.”

They insisted, however, on accompanying her and waited outside for her to pick up her package of medicine for her uncle. When she stepped outside, each offered his bent arm and she laughed and took neither.

It was only a few steps to the Sweet Shoppe, but Warren was halted by the shout of a seaman at his back. “Mr. Beverly … aye then … Mr. Beverly?”

Warren frowned and sighed heavily. “Ah Serena, I am afraid I have to beg off. I have been awaiting a shipment, and I see that it must have arrived. I shall have to go and attend to it.”

“Of course, go on then,” she said amiably.

He bent over her gloved fingers. “Another time … soon?”

“We’ll see,” she answered.

“Cruel girl,” he said and laughed before he turned and crossed the busy avenue.

His lordship bent his arm again. “Will you take it now?”

She didn’t answer but placed her hand on his arm. He took it, slinked it through the crook, and held her close as he bent and asked softly, “I am curious about our good minister. Would you, Serena, tell me a bit about him?”

Surprised, she answered hesitantly, “I don’t really know very much about him.”

“But you don’t like him?” he returned.

“Are you telling me that or asking me?” she said.

He laughed. “Incorrigible minx. I shall put it to you another way. I have noticed that you don’t seem to like him.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Hmm. I am quite ashamed to admit that I don’t. It is odd … but there you are. My uncle can’t abide him, and I often have to caution him to be polite when Eustace is about.” She sighed. “I suppose it is because our interests are so divergent and he is not tolerant of anything that does not meet with his approval.” She eyed him and waited for his response.

“I find your reasoning very logical and feel much the same as your uncle.” They stopped, and he opened the door of the shop and waited for her to pass through. “Now to feed a hungry woman with a need for sweets.”