Lady in the Mist - Laurie Alice Eakes [147]
“They said as how you were to eat if you’re hungry,” Molly said. “They already dined. The Englishman will sail on the ebb tide, so they couldn’t wait any longer.”
Englishman or Englishmen? Tabitha couldn’t ask. She couldn’t dream of eating.
“I’ll go straightaway then.”
On legs that now felt about as strong as sea grass, she descended the steps and followed the manservant into the parlor. Part of her mind told her it was full of men. She saw only one. He stood at the hearth, one arm propped on the mantel, his hair shining in the candlelight. He turned as her slippers whispered across the floorboards. Their glances touched, held, locked. Neither moved.
“So this is the brave young lady.” A hearty British voice rang through the room.
Tabitha jumped.
Dominick lowered his arm and turned. “Yes. Tabitha, let me present you to Mayor Bland and Vice Admiral Lord Landry.”
Another lord. Tabitha suppressed a sigh and held out her hand, decided she’d better curtsy instead, and completely forgot where to place her feet so she didn’t lose her balance.
The vice admiral caught her hand between both of his and saved her from toppling over. “You are even lovelier than I was led to believe, my dear.” He smiled, and Tabitha decided Dominick must take after his mother’s side of the family. The smile was the same, the brown eyes as deep and warm. “And I was expecting a great deal.”
“Completely exaggerated, I’m sure.” Tabitha’s cheeks burned. “I—I’m just a village midwife.”
“And quite the bravest female I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting.” The vice admiral led her to a chair. “Fetch her a cup of that tea, Dominick. You’re still a redemptioner as far as I know.” He let out a full-throated laugh.
Tabitha dropped onto the chair, her gaze flashing to Dominick, then Kendall. “Still? But I thought—”
“I’d give up my English butler because he’s a hero?” Kendall shook his head. “It’s all my friends from Richmond and Charlottesville could talk about after they left, I understand. And now he’s even more valuable to me.”
“I see.” Tabitha schooled her face. “The price is too high?”
“No price is too high to free my nephew from bondage,” the vice admiral pronounced. “This man won’t name one.”
“I’m moving to Richmond and want him with me,” Kendall said.
“But Seabourne needs a mayor.” Tabitha leaned forward. “And Dominick deserves his freedom to return to his family unless—” She glanced at Dominick.
He smiled. “Uncle assures me that the rest of my family and most of society has forgiven me, now that word of my father’s treatment’s gotten out. That hasn’t endeared me to him, I’m afraid.”
“His own fault if he’s no longer respected for not putting family first.” Vice Admiral Landry curled his upper lip, then smiled. “All I need is for Kendall here to name the price. We want Dominick home.”
“What do you want, Dominick?” Tabitha asked.
“To go for a walk with you.” He crossed the room and stood behind her chair, his hands on her shoulders. “Ask your questions, gentlemen. We’ve a scant few hours before the tide runs out and the ship leaves for England. We can discuss me later.”
“Yes, yes.” The vice admiral sipped from a glass of ruby-colored liquid, cleared his throat, and began.
Somewhere during answering questions about all her encounters and suspected encounters with Wilkins, including matters to do with the claim of his fatherhood, someone pressed a cup of tea into Tabitha’s hand. Later, a plate of tiny sandwiches appeared in front of her. She consumed all of it without thinking. Her voice grew hoarse and her body limp.
“Just tell me once more,” the vice admiral began.
“No, Uncle, that’s enough.” Dominick broke in. “She needs air.”
Tabitha raised a hand. “I’d like to know what’s going to happen with Wilkins.”
“There’ll be a trial, of course.” Kendall cleared his throat. “Probably in Richmond, since everyone on the cape is too angry to give him a fair hearing.”
“If it goes that