Captain Jones's Temptation - Audrey Harrison Page 0,13

that hard to believe,” Samuel answered.

Laughing, Esther took a drink before answering. “I do give you credit for exerting yourself when on active duty.”

“Praise indeed. I admit, there was no time for laziness in Wellington’s armies.” Samuel had returned to his normal volume of speaking now their words were no longer delicate in nature.

Esther shot a sympathetic look in Samuel’s direction. “I cannot imagine what you have seen. I would say I’m surprised you appear so normal, but we both know I would be lying.”

Samuel let out a crack of laughter. “You are a minx! I, for one whisper of a moment, thought you were going to say something complimentary.”

Despite her wish to keep a straight face, Esther grinned. “I would hate to lull you into a false sense of security. Why be something I am not? Not with you, anyway.”

“You are completely correct. I would probably collapse in shock if you were to be pleasing.”

“And I wouldn’t wish to cause that. I am sure many ballrooms would repine your loss.”

“Dozens.”

Esther snorted, but tried to cover it by raising her napkin to her lips.

Shaking his head, Samuel smiled. “You have never frequented the ballrooms I have. I would have remembered if you had.”

Something in the pit of Esther’s stomach unfurled slightly at his words, but she smiled archly at him. “You have never been scolded in a ballroom, then?”

“No one has ever dared to do so.”

“What pitiful creatures you must associate with, Captain Jones! All pretending that you are a paragon and not being honest with you.”

Samuel looked at her, clearly amused. “And why, our very own paragon of virtue, have you not had your season in London? Or was it when I was keeping you safe from Napoleon?”

“You alone?”

“Of course.”

“I wonder what Captain Dunn would have to say on the matter?”

“Oh, he would have to agree, of course. Napoleon took one look at me and knew the war was lost.”

“I wonder why that was. Your features alone, or did he see you riding a horse and fell off his own with laughter?”

He raised his eyebrows. “And what, pray tell, is wrong with my seat?”

“I suppose it is fine for riding neck or nothing across the countryside, but as to elegance …”

“I shall have you know that I am considered a top sawyer.” Her words, yet again, rankled him. He was being teased, he knew that, yet for some reason it was getting under his skin. He was usually the one doing the jesting. Did this mean he could not take teasing in the way he could give it? He had not thought that beforehand, and it was a sobering consideration. She was certainly equal to giving a barbed comment, just as he was, only she laughed when he insulted her, after the first time. Why did he still sting with some of her words? Was it that he wanted her to think well of him? Ludicrous if that was the case, for he had never coveted anyone’s good opinion.

“I am sure the sight of you in uniform would pacify these ladies who swoon at you in ballrooms, as you have already mentioned.” Esther was enjoying herself. She could see quite plainly that she had discomfited him, and she had little sympathy for him. But her victory was to be short-lived.

“Talking of ballrooms, when was your season?”

Esther took a bite of her herbed roasted potatoes. She was stalling for time. It was always the same when meeting new people – how much to tell them? She had the story well practised, but with Samuel, she had a feeling he would not be so easily fooled.

“As there is so often, there was a family breach before I was born. My mother died when I was fourteen, and my uncle was told what had happened. By that time, he was my only living relative. I obviously knew nothing about my brother at that point,” she said with a quick smile, remembering at the last moment to maintain that part of the story.

“You are lucky to have found him,” Samuel said, knowing full well that their words could be heard by quite a number sitting around the table.

“I am. It is a strange feeling when you thought you were the only person in your family left. Have you brothers and sisters?”

“Yes,” Samuel said. “I am the younger son. The youngest of five, actually.”

“Oh, to have so many siblings! It must have been a boisterous household as you grew.” Esther was relieved the conversation