and Eseld for me, won’t you?” Her voice cracked. “And Perry, and Miss Chegwin, and . . . Well, I don’t suppose you often socialize with Mary Chegwin, but—”
He raised a staying palm, accompanied by a brave smile. “I will happily pass along your greetings to all who love and miss you. I include myself in that number.”
He took her hand and raised it to his lips. “Good-bye, little turnstone.”
Laura blinked back tears, her throat burning. “Good-bye, Treeve Kent.”
The sound of footsteps penetrated the poignant moment. At the creaking of the door, Laura turned. There stood Captain Carnell. He stopped abruptly in the threshold, expression inscrutable as he looked from Laura to her visitor.
Laura extracted her hand from Treeve’s. “Look who has come to visit!”
Treeve Kent’s bravado reasserted itself, and he straightened to his full lanky height. Hand to heart, he said in gallant tones, “I could not rest until I assured myself all was well with Miss Callaway. And with you too, of course.”
A wary light shone in Alexander’s eyes. “I did not realize you planned to visit, Mr. Kent.”
“Nor I,” Laura added. “I was stunned but relieved to see him well and free. I worried he might have landed in a spot of trouble after trying to help us.”
“I worried about that too,” Alexander said. “Though I imagine Mr. Kent is too charming and too well connected to face any serious consequences.”
“Your confidence in me is heartening, Captain. But I would not have been the first gentleman to face legal consequences for smuggling.”
“Is that why you are here? To free trade?” Alex asked. “Or simply to see Miss Callaway?”
“Both. We hope for one more profitable haul to cover our expenses and help see us all through the long winter ahead. After that, Dyer is out. I can’t speak for the others.”
“And you?”
“I have not yet decided.”
“In the meantime, do be careful,” Laura said earnestly. She touched Treeve’s arm, immediately drawing both men’s gazes. Noticing, she quickly removed her hand.
“I shall be. Thank you. Well, I had better take my leave.” He bowed. “A pleasure to see you both again.”
“And you,” Laura said. “Godspeed.”
Laura and Alexander stood there awkwardly as Treeve’s footfalls faded down the corridor and the sound of a closing door echoed through the house.
“Well, that was a surprise,” she said.
“Agreed, but perhaps it should not have been. The man obviously cares for you.”
Laura shifted uneasily. “Well, we are friends, after all.”
He studied her face. “How are you feeling?”
About seeing Treeve again or physically? she wondered, and chose to respond to the latter. “So much better. Still a little weak and I tire easily, but overall, I am remarkably well.”
“I am glad to hear it. You gave me a scare.”
“And what have you been doing? I have not seen you in days.”
“I did not wish to intrude on your reunion with your aunt. And along with seeking a ship, I searched for my grandparents’ former house. Turns out, it’s not far from here.”
“I would like to see it.”
“I . . . could give you the direction, but I may not be here long enough to show you. I have found a merchant who might be willing to take me to France on one of his ships.”
“Oh. Well . . . Well done.” She forced a smile.
He did not ask her to join him, she noticed. Alexander had a family, after all—a father, brother, sister-in-law, and nephew—who, she guessed, would rejoice at his return despite past arguments. She did not belong at a Carnell family reunion. Besides, she had made it to Jersey, which had been her goal.
She began, “I would like to see you returned home, but—”
He held up his hand. “I know. You have just found your aunt again and are reluctant to leave her.”
“True,” she allowed. Nor would she beg to go along.
Aunt Susan entered, and Laura turned to include her in the conversation. “Have you met my aunt, Susan Hilgrove?”
“I have, yes. A pleasure to see you again, madam.”
“And I you, Captain. Thank you, again, for bringing my niece to me.”
“In truth, she brought me.”
“Well, however you got here, thank you. I know you have done your best to take care of her and see to her safety.”
He winced. “I regret the journey stole so much of her strength.”
“Do not blame yourself,” Laura said. “It was my choice, and I am growing stronger every day.”
“And what will you do now, Captain Carnell?” Aunt Susan asked.
“I hope to sail to Brittany as soon as may