‘Yes, Hector and I are perfectly capable of walking home by ourselves. Tell Elizabeth that tea is served at four o’clock sharp and that I shan’t accept no for an answer. If she vexes me, I shall turn up on her doorstep myself.’
‘And get some more biscuits while you’re there!’ his grandfather chimed in. ‘I’ve already finished the last ones.’
* * *
There were three customers waiting on the doorstep when Anna got back to the shop, though fortunately, judging from the lack of any sound from upstairs, her mother was napping and unaware that anything out of the ordinary had happened. She apologised profusely, sold two small tins and one medium-sized one, then headed into the kitchen to make a cup of tea. She needed something to steady her nerves and not just because of what had almost happened to Henrietta. Her meeting with Captain Delaney had shaken her considerably, too, so much so that after half an hour her nerves were no closer to recovering.
She hadn’t expected to ever see him again after their walk in the park, but particularly not when she’d been hiding behind a pillar. The idea that he’d approached specifically to talk to her had been somewhat flattering, though now she thought about it, he’d probably just wondered what she was doing. It must have looked rather as if she’d taken leave of her senses and her subsequent behaviour hadn’t exactly helped. Indiscreet would be the polite way of describing it. And yet he’d still helped her, a fact that made her heart glow.
The doorbell tinkled, and she carried her cup of tea back through to the shop, her pulse jumping and then doubling in speed at the sight of Captain Delaney. Again. And this time there was no doubting the fact that he’d come to see her. Which was even more flattering. Positively thrilling, in fact, even if his expression was oddly sombre as he removed his bicorne hat and tucked it under one arm.
‘Captain?’ She smiled a welcome, smoothing one hand over her apron as she felt her cheeks flush with pleasure. ‘Have you run out of biscuits already? I’d be glad to give you another tin as a thank you for your help this afternoon.’
‘I don’t believe that gratitude is in order.’ His voice sounded stern, too.
‘But it is. I’m grateful to both you and the lady. Your grandmother, I presume?’
‘Yes. Lady Jarrow.’
‘Please give her my thanks. The way she upbraided your friend was most impressive.’
‘Upbraided...’ If she wasn’t mistaken, he grimaced. ‘Yes, I suppose that’s one way to put it.’
‘Because you asked her to...’ she faltered ‘...didn’t you?’
‘In a manner. That is, I explained the circumstances to her and she took the rest upon herself. As I fully expected her to, so...yes.’
‘Then I’m indebted.’
‘Don’t be.’ This time the grimace was unmistakable. ‘I’m not proud of what I just did. In fact, I’m not proud of anything I’ve done in regard to you, Miss Fortini.’ He snapped his feet together and lifted his shoulders as if he were facing a court martial. ‘I’ve come to make a confession.’
‘A confession?’ She pressed a hand against her ribcage as her heart started to thump heavily inside it. Whatever he was about to say, she had the sudden, inescapable conviction that she didn’t want to hear it. ‘I don’t understand.’
‘Regarding the first time I visited your shop.’ He held on to her gaze steadily. ‘All of those things you said in the park the other evening about what you’d assumed about me and my motives were true. I was helping Mr Hoxley in his flirtation with your apprentice. I was attempting to distract you. I didn’t intend to help him seduce her, but if I’d stopped to consider the matter fully...well, I ought not to have acted so irresponsibly. All I can say is that I’m ashamed of the part I played that day and I apologise for it.’
For a few horrified seconds, Anna thought that she must have misheard him. Or at least she tried to persuade herself that she had. Unfortunately it was impossible to ignore the truth. Tricked! She’d been tricked! I’m ashamed of the part I played that day... The words were accompanied by a dull thrumming sound in her ears, one that seemed to get louder and louder until it filled her whole head. Which was strange because she hadn’t realised that emotions had sounds before, but that was what the thrumming surely was, a whole range of emotions all clamouring to be heard. Surprise, hurt, humiliation and a self-righteous fury that made her want to hurl the contents of her tea cup all over his smartly pressed, gleamingly spotless uniform.
Worst of all, however, was the disappointment, not just in him, but in herself. Hadn’t she known that this was how the aristocracy behaved, gentlemen especially? Hadn’t she known better than to trust one of them again? She’d thought she was older and wiser, but she’d been just as stupidly naive as she had been eight years ago, a fool to think any differently of this man just because he was a naval captain, too. He was just as dishonourable as his friend! Although, a small voice at the back of her mind argued, if that were truly the case then surely he wouldn’t have apologised? But why on earth was she making excuses for him?
She slammed her cup down on the counter, clenching her teeth as she struggled to maintain an outward appearance of calm. ‘So it was all a scheme?’
‘Of sorts, yes.’
‘And all those other things you said in the park? About the navy and Trafalgar? Were they all lies, too?’
‘I’ve never lied to you, Miss Fortini.’
‘No, you allowed me to deceive myself! You should at least have corrected me when I called you honourable!’
He inclined his head. ‘Perhaps I should have, but I did attempt to make amends by separating your friend and Mr Hoxley that evening. I kept my word about that.’
She tossed her head scornfully, refusing to concede any point in his favour at all. She could feel a hot stinging sensation behind her eyes, but she’d be damned before she let herself cry in front of him. ‘Very well then, you’ve confessed. Now you may leave. Forgive me if I ask you not to return.’
‘As you wish, although I’m afraid there’s one other matter.’ He looked uncomfortable. ‘I’ve been sent with a commission from my grandmother. It seems that she and your mother are old acquaintances.’
Anna was vaguely aware of her mouth dropping open, though it took her a few moments to close it again, then a few more to actually think up an answer.
‘I doubt that.’