She pursed her lips thoughtfully. She couldnat quite decide if he knew who he was or not. There were times when she was certain of it, but then other times he seemed somewhata lost. Alone. Perhaps he had indeed lost his memory. Why else would he have agreed to a.s.sume the captainas ident.i.ty? It was a puzzle.

She rubbed her thumb along the ring, turning it so that it sparkled. She supposed shead better find Mother and see what was to be done with the stranger now that Gower thought the man to be Captain Frakenham. They needed only onea"perhaps twoa"weeks. Surely the stranger could play the part for that length of time.

Harriet supposed shead better remove the ring. She tuggeda but nothing happened. The ring wouldnat budge.

Harriet pulled harder. Still nothing happened.

Sighing, she pushed herself upright, shoving her hair out of her face. Wonderful. She held her hand before her, grasped the ring, and tuggeda"hard, wincing as she yanked. For a second, she thought it was slipping, but just as it moved, the ring seemed to tighten, to cling to her finger as if hanging on with all its might.

aPiffle!a Harriet said, alarm sifting through her. She rose and went to the washstand, rubbing soap on her finger, then pulling yet again.

Still nothing happened. A half hour later, after much tugging and muttering, Harriet realized the impossiblea"the blasted ring was stuck. She sat back on the edge of the bed and stared at her reddened finger. The ring didnat seem too tight. Indeed, it turned easily right where it was. But every time she tried to pull it off, it seemed to tighten as if bya"

She curled her fingers closed. aNonsense,a she said aloud, as if to rea.s.sure anyone who might be listening. aMy finger must have swollen a bit. Thatas all.a The words comforted Harriet some. That made perfect sense. Still, she couldnat help but stare down at the runes that collected the light and wonder at the way her life seemed to be going lately. First shead found the stranger, who had promptly kissed her, followed by Goweras unexpected declaration, then the acaptainasa infuriating att.i.tudea and now this. Stuck with a strange ring on her finger.

A ring that just might belong to that infuriating jackanapes.

The ring seemed to warm at the thought. Harriet narrowed her gaze at it. aEnough of that.a She stood. Perhaps Cook would know how to get the blasted thing off. With any luck, a touch of b.u.t.ter would do the trick.

Muttering to herself, Harriet made her way to the kitchen, wondering as she did so where her brothers and sisters werea"things seemed strangely quiet. As soon as she got the silly ring off her finger, shead see what everyone was doing.

Harriet pushed open the door to the kitchen. The warm afternoon light streamed through the open windows and mingled with the scent of dried herbs.

aThere ye are, miss!a Cook labored at a large wooden table in the center of the room, flour liberally dusted over her red ap.r.o.n. aI was just thinkina bout ye, I was.a aWere you?a A rich aroma caught Harrietas attention. aMmmmm. What is that?a Cook grinned, jerking her head toward a half dozen steaming pots. aNothina but dinner.a Harriet counted the pots. Seven. Last night, theyad had mutton stew and peas and some of Cookas special crusty bread.

But thisa it looked as if a feast was in the making. Harriet went to the pots, aware of Cookas covert gaze.

One after the other, Harriet lifted the lids. The entire kitchen filled with a rich aroma that made her mouth water. aDumpling stew, roast saddle of mutton with mint sauce, ploversa eggs in aspic jelly, peas and asparagusa"goodness! Itas not Christmas again, is it?a Cook chuckled delightedly and gave Harriet a meaningful look. aDonat ye be teasina me, Miss Harriet! Ye know what day atis. Or will be soon! And atis not Christmas. Not with the weather warming so every day.a Harriet closed the lid of the last pot, the clang echoing pleasantly amid the burbling sound of the dumpling stew. aI know what it is. The new rector is in town, and Mother has asked him to dinner.a A sly smile crossed Cookas lips. aYouall have to ask the madam about thet. I was tola to fix a sumptuous dinner and so I am. Ye should be pleased as pork, Miss Harriet.a aI should be? What do I have to be pleased aba" Oh. I see. The captain.a Blast it, she hadnat thought about the fact that the servants, who had not been privy to the fact that the captain was a figment of the Wardsa collective imaginationa"only because it was suspected they might leak the trutha"would believe the farce her mother was even then encouraging.

aOf course the captain!a Cook exclaimed. She beamed at Harriet. aWho else would I cook good mutton for if not your intended? I must say, 'tis a handsome man. Iam just a little miffed ye didnat tell me who he was right away.a Harrietas jaw tightened. aOh yesa well, I didnat want to ruin the surprise for Mother.a Cook sighed happily. aIave heard so much about the captain that atis almost a wonderment to meet him.a aThatas what I thought, too,a Harriet muttered. aWhere is the good captain now?a aIn his room. The missus thought he should lie down a mite. I must say atwas a good idea, fer he looked a bit snookered after meeting with the banker.a Cook wiped her hands on her ap.r.o.n. aThere. All done. Do ye think the captainad like a maraschino jelly with his dinner? I saved a bit fer a special occasion and, well, there arenat many more special than this.a Harriet managed a faint smile. aI donat know what he likes. Iall have Mother ask him.a aYead best be findina out, miss. Yeare the one as will be marryina him,a Cook said cheerfully, sc.r.a.ping dough out of a bowl and rolling it as though her life depended on it. aI hope yer young man likes lemon tarts. Fresh and crisp theyall be, just the way ye likes them.a aI like them any way I can get them,a Harriet answered truthfully. Even if they had been made in the captainas name. aI thought we were saving the lemons for the Ladies Auxiliary Sewing Committee.a aSo I was. But the missus said to make them tonight and so I am. I always do as Iam told.a That was a blatant lie. Harriet couldnat count how many times shead asked Cook not to give Stephen quite so many pastries between his meals, a request that was actively ignored by all parties concerned.

Still, what concerned Harriet the most was that Mother had requested the tarts. That was not a good sign. At all. aWhere is Mother?a aIn the library, workina on the accounts, I suppose. Thatas what she said she was goina to do, anyways.a Harriet nodded and made her way to the door. aThank you, Cook.a She was halfway to the library before she remembered the ring. She glanced down at it and scowled, giving it a sharp tug. The blasted thing still wouldnat move. It would just have to wait until she finished talking to her mother.

Harriet shoved open the door to the library. aMother, I waa"a She halted. Not only was her mother in the library, but the entire Ward family, as well.

Mother looked up from where she sat at the oak escritoire, calmly penning a missive. aThere you are! I was just going to send Derrick for you. We are having a meeting about the captain.a aGlad you made it on your own,a Derrick said. He opened the book he held and settled farther into the large, plump chair, sprawling comfortably. aI was almost finished, and I didnat want to leave.a aOh, Harriet! Mother just told us about the captain!a Sophia gave an excited whirl, her skirts flaring out about her ankles. aNothing could be more perfect! Itas as if an angel sent him to us. And now, Mother says weare to act as if we are all in a play!a Harriet looked at Mother. aA play?a aIndeed,a Mother said calmly, dipping her pen into the inkwell. aWe must make everyone believe that the stranger is indeed Captain Frakenham, at least for a week or so. Especially the staff.a Harriet pressed a hand to her temple. aSurely it wonat be necessary to take things that far. So long as Gower believes that the captaina"a aHarriet,a Mother said, gentle reproof in her voice, ayou know how things got out of hand last time. I merely made mention of a fianc, and, before you knew it, I was being hounded for details, which I imprudently made up on the spot.a Harriet sighed. aI know.a aI thought the story would remain contained within the confines of the bank, so I did nothing more to ascertain the rumor Iad begun. This time, things are going to be done in a more thoughtful, timely manner.a aWhat do you mean?a aBefore, because there was so little information on the captain, people began to take it upon themselves to make up things. This time, we are going to grasp the rumor mill firmly by the horns.a Stephen nodded. He stood leaning against the mantelpiece, his crutches momentarily idle against the wall. aMotheras right, Harri. Gower will run back to the bank and tell all. The next thing you know all mayhem will break loose; people will be streaming in, asking hundreds of stupid questions and trying to steal a look at him.a Ophelia plopped down on the small leather settee placed to one side. aIt will be just like when Mr. Wilkers told everyone head had twin calves off the same cow. Even old Mrs. Crumpleton came to see, and she hadnat left her home in over two years, claiming her knees were bad.a Harriet opened her mouth to protest, but then closed it. Her heart sinking, she realized they were right. It wouldnat be long before the doorway darkened with all manner of people, all coming on some seemingly innocuous errand, but really thirsting for a glimpse of the captain. aGood G.o.d.a aI know,a Stephen said. aI donat like it either. But Iave thought it through and weave really no choice.a aThere has to be another way,a Harriet said. aI simply do not like this plan.a Sophia blinked. aWhy not? I think itas a perfectly good plan. And you have the best part of all! That of 'fiance in love.'a aI donat wish to be a 'fiance in love.'a aThere!a Sophia looked eagerly at their mother. aI told you Harriet wouldnat agree to this! Perhaps we could tell people that the captain is really engaged to me all along and that Iam the one he reallya"a aNo,a Mother said firmly, eyeing Sophia severely. aIave already told you that would not work. We have to stick to the same story.a Sophia sniffed. aOh very well, though I doubt Harri can pull it off. Sheas awfully stiff on stage. Remember when we asked her to play Falstaff last year? A perfectly delightful part, and yet she managed to murder it with every sentence. No one laughed a bit.a Stephen snorted. aHarrietas nothing compared to you. Remember how badly you mangled doing Lady Ophelia last Easter? That was a tragedy indeed.a aI did a fine job! Even Mrs. Strickly said so, and sheas been to dozens of London plays!a Harriet made an impatient noise. aNone of that matters now! How are we going to do this?a aSimple,a Mother said. aWe will just restate a few set facts.a aSuch as?a aThe captain is here to see you. He has only come for a short period of timea"two weeks, maybe less. Heas leaving as soon as his ship is ready.a aAnd?a Mother lifted her brows. aThatas more than enough.a aWhat about what the captain told Mr. Gower in the sitting room today? That his ship was nameda oh, something, I canat remembera"and that it was being repaired in Whitby? Should we mention that, too? Or that he injured himself in a battle with pirates?a Sophia and Ophelia both gasped. aThe captain is such a brave man,a Sophia breathed.

Harrietas hand curled into fists. aHe made it up!a Ophelia nodded. aHeas so brave that heas even willing to live a lie, all to help us. Althougha I wonder if he is remembering something in earnest and just doesnat realize it. Perhaps the captain really is a captain anda"a aFor the love ofa"he isnat real!a Harriet burst out. aThere is no Captain Frakenham, no ship, and no pirates!a A short silence followed this outburst.

aReally, Harriet,a Sophia said, eyeing her sister as though shead just grown a third head, athere is no need for you to get so vexed.a aThatas right,a Stephen said, trying to look like the man of the house, an irritating habit that seemed to be getting worse of late. aI think you owe Ophelia an apology.a Harriet took a deep breath in through her nose. aI am sorry I shouted, but none of you seems to realize that this is a serious situation. If we are found out, the bank will waste no time in demanding their money, and we donat have it. And what will we do if the stranger remembers who he is?a To dry the ink, Mother dusted sand over the letter shead been writing. aWeall deal with that when it happens, if it happens. Remember Mrs. Billingsworth. She never remembered who she was. Itas a pity she died.a aOh wouldnat that be wonderful!a Sophia exclaimed in a dreamy voice.

aWhat would be wonderful?a Derrick asked, looking up from his book, a frown marring his brow. aFor the poor man to die?a aNo, that he might never remember who he is. Then he would just be Captain Frakenham forever and marry Harri!a Five pairs of eyes turned on Harriet.

She colored. aWhen h.e.l.l freezes over.a aHarriet!a Mother frowned as she folded the note and slid it into an envelope.

aI am sorry. Itas just that all of you are standing on the edge of a cliff, cheerily planning to jump. You donat seem to realize how easily this could blow up in our faces.a aHow?a Stephen demanded. aWhat is the worst thing that could happen?a aWhat if the stranger remembered who he really is? Then where would we be?a Ophelia pushed her gla.s.ses back in place. aWeall just have to see to it that heas never alone without one of us present to head him off.a aGood idea,a Stephen said. aAnd if he does remember who he is, heall just leave.a aThatas what I would do,a Derrick said, settling back into his book. aI might say a few choice words beforehand, but nothing more.a aExactly,a Stephen said. aIn the meantime, the captainas presence will make the bank hold off on demanding the payment and we can get the shearing done.a Mother wrote something across the envelope. aHere, Sophie. Pray give that to Lady Cabot-Wells with my fondest regards, and be sure youare home by five.a Sophia glanced over her shoulder at Derrick. aAre you coming with me?a Derrick glanced up from his book, but remained lazing in his chair. aWhere to?a aTo see Lady Cabot-Wells.a He made a face. aThe last time I saw her, she called me aDonalda and asked how my cat was doing.a aSheas an old woman, Derrick,a Stephen said, frowning down at his brother. aSheas never gotten my name right in over ten years.a aWell, I donat like her and so Iam not going to see her.a Stephenas frown deepened. aIt will not hurt you to get off your aa"a aStephen!a Mother said.

aSorry. Itas just that I cannot abide a slugabed, and Derrick has become the worst.a aI have not!a Derrick struggled to sit up, his face red. aI worked all morning and most of the afternoon in the barn, and all you can say isa"a aI think,a Harriet said firmly, athat Sophia should not be gallivanting about the countryside unattended. So one of you has to go.a Derrick subsided into his chair, pulling his book back over his face.

Stephen regarded him for a long moment, then gave an exasperated sigh. aOh very well! Iall go.a He collected his crutches from the wall, then hobbled to his sisteras side.

Harriet watched as her mother handed the note to Sophia. aWhatas that?a aAn invitation to dinner. I thought Lady Cabot-Wells should meet the captain first.a aThis evening?a aNo, I thought wead save this evening for just ourselves and the captain. We need to be certain he is convinced he is who weave told him he is. I asked Lady Cabot-Wells to join us for dinner sometime next week.a aBut sheas the biggest gossip on earth!a Mother smiled. aWhich is precisely why I invited her. I thought we should begin at the top and work our way down.a Sophia breezed to the door, Stephen hobbling after her. aWeall return soon, Mother.a She wiggled her fingers and went out the door.

He stopped on the threshold, a thoughtful expression on his face. aYou know, Harriet, if we work this right, we might be able to use your precious captain to help in other ways than just keeping the bank away.a aSuch as?a aWella if heas not injured too badly, he could help with the shearing. All of it.a Harriet met Stephenas gaze, astounded at the thought. Good G.o.d, that would be perfect. It was difficult finding reliable workers, especially so close to shearing week, and things were getting desperate.

A slow smile began, then gradually grew until it matched Stephenas. That was an idea, the first good one shead heard all day. One more pair of helping hands would make all the difference in the world.

aAll we have to do,a Stephen said, ais convince him that the captain would do it, and since heas the captainaa Harriet nodded, her heart lightening a little.

aCome on, Stephen,a Sophia said. aI want to change before dinner and fix my hair, and we wonat have time if we dally.a Stephen sighed. aAll right. Iam coming.a He gave Harriet one last meaningful look, then followed Sophia out the door.

Mother beamed. aSee how well things are going already? We have not only found a Captain Frakenham, but weave found another helper for the shearing. Itas more than I had hopeda"almost a miracle.a She smiled at her children. aSometimes prayers really are answered!a Harriet wasnat sure that she wanted to call the dark-haired stranger a miracle any more than she wanted to call him Captain Frakenham, but she had no say in the matter at all. Shead just have to make do, put up with the manas odious, self-satisfied manner, and pretend she was engaged to the oaf. But only in public.

Meanwhile, shead take comfort in Stephenas suggestion. If she and Stephen could contrive a way to get the stranger to help with the shearing, then perhaps some good could come of this mess after all.

Chapter 12.

b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l, itas Lady Tatswell. Having just returned from boring some poor unhappy parti to death, she is now about to sally forth on a fresh mission of destruction. Sheasa"G.o.d no! Sheas coming this way!

Where can we hide?

The Earl of Greyley to his wife, Anna, at the Comptonsa soiree He had only an hour until dinner. Chase tossed back the last bit of brandy. He closed his eyes as the liquid warmed a path down his throat and into his stomach. His head still ached, but the pain was subsiding with each swallow.

Thank G.o.d head found the brandy decanter in the library earlier or there would be no sleep that night. In London, he never slept without the a.s.sistance of a heavy dose of spirits. Not sincea"

He closed his eyes, his heart clutched painfully. No. Donat think about it. Never think about it.

Slowly the feeling of taut-eyed desperation eased. The soft sound of a clock chimed over his shoulder. His hand shook a little as he poured himself another gla.s.s. The last time head had spirits was the day head been attacked. He lifted the gla.s.s to his lips, then paused. That was probably what had caused the entire ruckusa"the fact that he was drunk. The thieves must have figured him an easy mark, just as Annesley had.

Chase set the gla.s.s back on the tray, his mind suddenly clear. Head never be an easy mark again.

Meanwhile, head better finish dressing for dinner. He had little doubt that it would be served at a dismally early hour considering he was residing with a houseful of sheep farmers.

Chase sighed and turned, catching sight of his cravat in the mirror. Well, it was supposed to be a cravat. While most of his clothing had been salvaged, his cravat linens had been sadly muddied and mangled, except for two, both of which were now being laundered. Left with no recourse, head been forced to accept a horribly understarched cravat linen from the household.

He tried to adjust it one more time, then stopped and shook his head in disgust. Not only was it limp, but it was a d.a.m.nable nuisance trying to fasten the thing without the benefit of a decent cravat pin.

The thought of his a.s.sortment of pinsa"gold, diamond, ruby, sapphirea"made him sigh. Gone forever, the lot of them. It was intolerable, though not as intolerable as it would have been had he lost his motheras ring.

The thought of that ring and the pocket it rested in caused his teeth to grind of their own accord.

d.a.m.n it, head get that ring back if it was the last thing he did. Miss Harriet Ward was about to face the St. John determination, whether she was prepared for it or not. The thought eased his spirits some, and he caught his reflection in the mirror.

Head removed the offending bandage a half hour earlier. A huge bruise colored his forehead. The center was still a dark and forebidding deep blue, while the edges were fading to more muted shades of purple and red with the veriest stain of yellow.

aIam a veritable rainbow,a he told himself with a rueful grin.

Chase found himself looking at the decanter once again, but he made no move toward it. Instead, he pictured Miss Harriet Ward, a disapproving look in her remarkably brown eyes, her brows lifted as if daring him to be so foolish as to appear before her drunk and witless.

That was the last thing he neededa"to be witless in the presence of a woman he was beginning to think possessed an incredibly sharp mind. She would tear him to shreds before he knew what was happening.

A firm rap sounded on the door. Chase called a greeting and a mobcapped female entered, her face twisted in a look that was as welcoming as a cold stone floor in the height of winter.

She regarded him dourly as she bobbed a most unwelcoming curtsy, her disapproving gaze finding the brandy decanter almost immediately. Her expression turned even more sour. aSupper is ready. Everybody has been waitina in the sittina room fer ten minutes now.a Chase glanced at the clock on the mantel. aItas only a little after seven. Surely dinner is not served before eight.a Even for country hours, eight was unseasonably early.

The woman stiffened as if head insulted her parentage. aWe eat promptly at seven at Garrett Park and weare not likely to change just because yeare here.a Lovely. He was interred in a house where not only the eldest daughter held him in derision, but so did the upstairs maid.

Chase wasnat used to such treatment. Usually when he spent a day or two at someoneas country estate, his hosts were more than happy to have him about since he was an unmarried son from one of the wealthiest families in England. People didnat fawn over him precisely, but they appreciated him. Enjoyed his company. Occasionally even laughed at his jokes.

As for the servants, he was known to be generous with his vails and that had earned him some respect as well. But he could neither inform his current hostess of his parentage, nor did he have any money to pay vailsa"not after the robbery, anyway. All told, he was relegated to a pecuniary, disrespected level of existence, and it wasnat one that he particularly enjoyed.

He eyed the maid with some misgiving. aI suppose I am ready to go down now, Missa"a aMrs.,a she snapped, as if suspecting he was attempting to flirt with her. aItas Mrs. Maple. Iam the housekeeper.a aAh. May I say that Garrett Park is a lovely house? I daresay you must work hard to keep it up.a Her gaze didnat soften one bit. aSee to it that you come down to dinner on time from now on. Tis rude to keep the family waitina, especially Miss Harriet.a With that admonition, the housekeeper spun on her heel and marched off, indicating with a glare that he was to follow her.

Chase did as he was bid, hiding a rueful smile. So Miss Ward was not the only p.r.i.c.kly character in the house, was she? It seemed that some of the servants were likewise afflicted. Perhaps it was the water.

It was a good thing head found that brandy decanter.

The housekeeper stopped beside the door of the same room where Chase had met Mr. Gower just that morning. She threw open the door, made a harrumph sound by way of announcing him, then stepped aside and gestured for him to enter.

Before Chase took two steps into the room, the door was smartly closed against his heels. Every eye fastened on him as the hum of conversation died an immediate death.

It was the first time Chase had been blessed with seeing the entire Ward family, and he was immediately struck by how handsome they were. There was a look of quality to them all, of grace and health. Chase felt a little guilty for having thought of them as sheep farmers.

On his entry, Harriet turned from her sisters with a genuine smile on her lips, her eyes sparkling with something other than annoyance or suspicion. It was a look Chase had yet to enjoya"unalloyed mirth. Her lips were parted to reveal even white teeth, her brown eyes shone with life, and her entire expression was winsome.

Mrs. Ward quietly moved forward, a lovely matron in an ice-blue gown, a modest bit of lace at her bosom. aCaptain Frakenham, I hope your room is proving adequate.a Chase bowed. aItas more than adequate. Quite lovely, in fact.a She smiled. aExcellent. Since your memory is a bit spotty right now, I thought perhaps I should reintroduce the family. I daresay you donat remember all of them.a He flicked a glance about the room. aYou have quite a number of children.a aYes. I have five.a Chase had four brothers and one sister, but he wisely refrained from saying so. aThatas a large family indeed.a She patted his arm. aAllow me to reintroduce them to you. This is Stephen, my elder son.a She gestured to a tall, slender young man who leaned on a pair of crutches.

The young man grinned widely as he nodded a greeting. He was very broad shouldered, his hands as large as ham hocks. Chase noted the halflingas skin was as tanned as Harrietas.

aAnd this,a Miss Ward continued, gesturing to her other son, ais Derrick. You met him earlier, in your room.a aOf course,a Chase said, bowing.

Derrick glanced up from the book head been reading while leaning against a chair. He returned Chaseas slight bow, his gaze flickering over him a quick moment before he went back to his book.

aDerrick is something of a bookworm,a Mrs. Ward said by way of explanation. She gestured toward the two girls who were sitting side by side on the settee. aThese are my younger daughters, Sophia and Ophelia.a The two girls gleamed up at him, the more fair of the two even daring to simper a bit. Of all the Wards, Chase decided that Sophia and Stephen possessed the most conventionally accepted idea of beauty. With their golden brown hair and blue eyes, they would have been noticed at any function in London.

The others were equally as attractive, though in a quieter way, like the intriguing Miss Harriet, who faded from view until roused to ire when shead burst upon the senses like a scorching fire.

aOh, Captain Frakenham!a Sophia bounced in her chair, her golden brown curls springing to life. aIam so pleased to meet you! I meana"Iam glad to meet you again. Weave known each other for oh, so long. In fact, I daresay you remember the time you and Ia"a aSophia,a Mrs. Ward said in breathless tone, alet the poor man alone. He has just risen from the sickbed and will not benefit from all of your recollections.a Chase was certain that since he had absolutely no recollections of Miss Sophia whatsoever, Mrs. Ward was quite correct in her belief that he wouldnat benefit from any memories the girl planned on dredging from her imagination. Still, he managed a pleasant smile. aIam certain Miss Sophia can remind me of our past times together over dinner.a He bowed to the youngest Ward girl. aMiss Ophelia, how nice to meet you again. I fear I donat remember you well aftera"a He touched his head ruefully.

She giggled, her brown eyes magnified by her spectacles. aThank you, Captain Frakenham. I am pleased to meet you again, as well.a Mrs. Ward smiled her approval. aThat only leaves Harriet, whom Iam sure you remember from this afternoon.a aIndeed.a Chase bowed to Harriet, who stood to one side, her expression so far from the unalloyed mirth head witnessed on her face when he entered the room that he wondered if head imagined it.

She bowed in responsea"prim, proper, and uninterested. aGood evening, Captain Frakenham.a A chilled frost was name-hot compared to the icy air that hung about Miss Harriet Ward. Chase was glad head had the brandy to warm himself before attempting to dine with this particular little ice maiden. From what head heard, frostbite was a horrible experience and not one head really desired to experience.

Still, fortified by the brandy, he managed a smile. aI am sorry to keep you waiting. I must still be on London hours.a aLondon?a Harrietas smooth voice interjected. aI didnat know Captain Frakenham had ever been to London. Have you? If so, pray tell us all what you remember.a Everyone stared at him, silence abounding.

Chase almost winced at his mistake. d.a.m.n it! He would have to guard his tongue with Miss Harriet about. aI donat know if Iave ever been to London. Perhaps I have, since I seem to know that expression.a He met Harrietas gaze steadily. aOr isnat it a common expression?a Mrs. Ward waved a hand. aBaron Whitfield says it all the time. Shall we retire to the dining hall? Stephen, you may escort me. Derrick, you may take Sophia and Ophelia. And Captaina why donat you escort Harriet?a Chase was certain Miss Harriet would hate to be so importuned, so he immediately went to her side and proffered his arm.

She looked down at it as if it were a snake, and only at the last possible moment did she lay her hand on his arm. Even then, she maintained an unusual amount of s.p.a.ce between them.

Chase led her around a small chair on the way to the door, lengthening their journey by four or five steps. The maneuver allowed Stephen and Derrick to escort their charges first, while Chase and Harriet followed. As soon as the others were out of sight, Chase drew to a halt.

Harriet frowned. aJust what do you think you are doing?a aWaiting for the others to go ahead.a aThey are ahead.a Indeed, no one remained in the room but Chase and Harriet. He decided that he rather liked that. aWe will catch up to them in a second. I wanted to ask you something.a aWhat? Everyone will notice we arenat with them.a aI daresay. But by the time theyave noticed, youall have answered my question, and weall be well on our way to joining them.a aI donat like this onea"a She frowned, then suddenly leaned forward and sniffed. aBrandy. I should have known it.a aIam a sailor. Brandy is motheras milk to me.a aYou are not a sailor,a she said loftily. aYou are a captain. Thatas different.a aHow?a aWell youaa"she gestured vaguelya"aorder people about.a aAnd?a aAnd you sail the ship. But from the maina deck part. Whatever that is.a aHm. Your grasp of the technical aspects of sailing is quite limited.a aAnd yours is better?a Actually it was. The St. Johns owned a rather large yacht, and Chase and Devon sailed it frequently. aI know starboard from port.a aSo do I. Starboard is left andaa Her brow puckered. aNo, wait. I think thatas wrong. Starboard is right anda"a aMiss Ward, may I ask you a personal question?a The brandy head consumed earlier combined with the exhilarating effects of one Miss Harriet Ward was making him brave, a feeling he decided he quite liked. aItas a very personal question.a aI donat knowa"a aIf we donat hurry, the others will soon return.a She bit her lip and he could see her curiosity warring with her tendency toward prudence. Curiosity finally won and she sighed, then asked, aWhat?a aDo you want children?a Head thought to startle her, to rattle her fine composure. And head been right. The abrupt question left her with stained cheeks and wide eyes.

aWha"Ia"I never thought abouta"that isa"a She snapped her mouth closed for a full minute while Chase watched. aCaptain Frakenham, that is not a proper topic of conversation, even for an engaged couple.a aHow can you say that? Who other than an engaged couple would discussa"a She whirled and marched to the door and on to the dining room.

Chase followed along, noting with growing pleasure the fine, firm lines of her back and the curve of her rump through the thin material of her dress.

Oh yes, it was good to be a sea captain. Very good indeed.

Chapter 13.

Love, the kind the poets dream of with starry eyes and pounding hearts, always seemed to me to be rather uncomfortable. Rather like the feeling one gets sitting too close to the fire.

The Countess of Greyley to her friend, Miss Lily Treventhal while riding in Hyde Park one pleasant afternoon Chase allowed Harriet to herd him into the dining hall. He supposed theiratte--tte was over.

Mrs. Ward turned toward them with a relieved expression. aThere you are! We were beginning to wonder if youad gotten lost.a Chase smiled. aHardly that. I stole a few moments with your charming daughter.a Mrs. Ward looked at Harriet and apparently read her own meaning into Harrietas flushed cheeks and thin-lipped expression. aWell!a Mrs. Ward said in a hurried voice. aWe should eat. Captain Frakenham, you sit there. And Harriet will sit beside you.a aExcellent.a Chase made a show of holding Harrietas seat, which seemed to delight her sisters.

Ophelia beamed approvingly, while Sophia sighed as if head done something quite romantic. Chase made sure to let his hands brush Harrietas very upright shoulders before he took his own place beside her.

She shot him a wary look, as if uncertain head touched her on purpose. Chase just smiled blandly back, though he wondered at the silken feel of her skin beneath his fingertips.

Almost immediately the first course was served and soon a pleasant babble of conversation broke over the table. Chase found himself relaxing as the meal progressed.

Normally, at a formal dinner, one conversed with the person to either oneas left or right and never across the table or down it. The Wards, however, much like his own family, eschewed this rather rigid conventionality, at least in the comfort of their own home.

Which was a good thing because with Derrick sitting to one side, apparently deep in thought as his gaze never left his plate, and Harriet stiffly sitting on the other, Chase would have had no conversation at all.

As it was, Sophia and Ophelia made several attempts to pull him into a conversation, all of which he avoided with great skill. He began to realize that playing the part of a man with no memory made casual conversation a rather difficult ch.o.r.e.

Eventually, they ceased trying and turned their attention to Stephen, who sat at the head of the table, his posture a bit arrogant. Chase supposed the whipster had taken his fatheras place as was appropriate, much to the chagrin of his siblings.

Chase smiled to himself. There was a warmth to the Wards that reminded him of his own family. He and his brothers and sister didnat see so much of one another any longer of course, since two of his brothers and his sister were married. But still, theyad had many a laugh over the dinner table growing up.

Sophia leaned across the table. aCaptain Frakenham, do you know the waltz? I hear they are dancing it all over London.a Chase opened his mouth to respond, then caught sight of Harrietas dark brown eyes as they rested on him, watchful as ever.

He knew how to waltz. In fact, he loved the dance. But he made himself shrug. aIam afraid I donat remember. But if it should come back to me, I would be delighted to teach you all, with your motheras approval.a She waved a hand. aIf theyare doing it in drawing rooms all over London, Iam certain it would be fine to attempt it at Garrett Park.a Sophia gave a happy bounce. aOh! That would be lovely!a aCaptain Frakenhamaa"Ophelia leaned forward eagerlya"awhat about the Sir Roger? Do you know that dance as well?a Harriet shifted in her chair. aLet the man eat. You may speak to him another time.a aOh, let them ask me what they will,a Chase said magnanimously. aIave nothing to hide.a Just things he couldnat mention.