‘Twenty-five years’ worth and we’re not finished yet. I just wanted to thank you again for bringing my sister and niece back to us.’
‘They were coming anyway.’
‘But you came with them. My mother and I are both grateful.’
‘Then you’re welcome.’ Samuel inclined his head with a smile. The other man had a kind face, a lot like his sister’s, and greying curls that seemed determined to stand upright rather than flat on his head.
‘We’ve wasted so many years.’ Tobias sounded regretful. ‘I always thought that Elizabeth must hate us for what happened.’
‘I don’t think she’s the kind of person who hates.’
‘Neither is our mother, although I’m afraid she never had the courage to stand up to our father. Neither did I, unfortunately, and after he died... Well, we assumed it was too late for a reconciliation.’
‘Was he such a tyrant?’
‘He wasn’t a bad man, but he was very proud. Once he found out who my sister had eloped with, he forbade us from ever speaking about her again.’
‘Did he know she lived in Bath?’
‘I believe so. He had terrible gout, but he refused to go anywhere near the city.’
‘And your older brother? What will he think about all this?’
‘Anthony can think what he wishes. I won’t let him spoil things.’ The other man’s expression turned resolute. ‘Now, will you stay and have luncheon with us?’
‘I don’t wish to intrude. Perhaps I ought to leave the ladies here and return later?’
‘I won’t hear of it, Captain.’ Mrs Fortini emerged out onto the terrace at that moment, Anna on one arm and the Dowager Duchess on the other. ‘There’ll be no more tears, I promise. We’ll all be perfectly composed for the rest of the day.’
‘Well, then...’ Samuel smiled, though his eyes felt like magnets, drawn inevitably straight towards Anna ‘...how can I refuse?’
* * *
Mrs Fortini was as good as her word, Samuel reflected, as he, Tobias and Anna strolled in the grounds later that afternoon. The mood during luncheon had been warm and light-hearted, without any tears at all, as if nothing untoward had happened during the past twenty-five years. Even Anna had started to smile and relax in her new family’s company, though she seemed subdued, too, as if her thoughts were elsewhere...
Her uncle Tobias, as it turned out, was another kind of seafarer, a member of the Royal Academy who’d been a member of several scientific expeditions to study ichthyology around northern Europe. It was a topic he enthused about over luncheon, insisting on taking Samuel and Anna to see what he referred to as his ‘pride and joy’ afterwards.
‘There it is.’ Tobias stopped beside a lake, around a hundred feet in length and only slightly less in breadth. ‘Stocked with the finest examples of trout and perch I could find.’
‘It’s a beautiful prospect.’ Samuel smiled as his gaze fell upon a small wooden jetty. ‘You have a rowing boat.’
‘Yes, I like a day’s fishing now and again.’
‘She looks like a sturdy vessel. Do you think I might be permitted to borrow it?’
‘Of course.’ Tobias looked surprised. ‘Do you want to go fishing?’
‘Not today, but I’ve been pining for the water over the past few months.’ He exchanged a swift glance with Anna, wondering if he could convince her to join him. There was only one way to find out... ‘And I’d like to show Miss Fortini here my navigational skills.’
‘On a lake?’ Her eyes lit up with amusement.
‘At least you can be sure we won’t get lost.’ He grabbed her hand before she could argue, pulling her towards the jetty.
‘Samuel!’ Anna gave him a remonstrative look as they reached the boat. ‘There’s only one bench.’
‘Then you’ll just have to sit in the stern.
It looks dry enough, but here...’ He shrugged out of his jacket and laid it flat in the bottom of the boat. ‘Use this.’