Captain Jones's Temptation - Audrey Harrison Page 0,53

Sophie’s house was located. The houses had been built to overlook the port. From the height they were at, it all looked idyllic and picturesque, belying the industry that went on down there. It was a busy port, the streets around it thronged with visitors and locals. It was an area Esther had grown up in and around.

“It’s a fair prospect,” Samuel said, as they turned the corner and were faced with the full impact of the view.

“Yes, Sophie chose well,” Esther replied. “Thank you for joining me in the churchyard. I appreciate it.”

“I am at your disposal. At least for the next few weeks.” Samuel bowed over her hand, before releasing her when the door opened.

“You might come to regret that offer.”

“I doubt that. You won’t spend the next four weeks talking about weddings like Dunn shall.”

“You really are a terrible friend.”

“It’s the only way to keep those who would offer false platitudes and fawning behaviour at an arm’s distance.”

“Good grief! I can see why you have few people around you. I am so glad my actions could never be misconstrued as fawning.”

“More likely to ring a peal over me,” Samuel said, following her into the house.

Chapter 16

The next four weeks passed in a whirl of activity. Lydia spent more time away from Matthew than she would have liked, but preparing for a wedding took time, and then the week before the wedding, her family arrived in Exeter and she was forced to be more sociable with them.

Matthew was continuing to get stronger, although those who knew him before the attack on Corless House could see how much weight he had lost and how much paler he was. He was more likely to sit quietly when enjoying an evening meal; the injury seemed to have taken a little of his gregarious nature away.

One morning, when Lydia was preparing to visit her family, she received a message asking that she see Matthew. He was resting in his chamber, and although it was inappropriate that she should visit him there now he was out of his sick bed, there was no strict formality in Sophie’s home.

Entering the room, she immediately took off her gloves, crossing to where Matthew lay on the bed. “Are you ailing? You look very tired.”

“I am fine,” Matthew answered with a smile. “I have spent the morning talking to Samuel, and although I feel the need to have a sleep, I wanted to speak to you first. Please come and sit down.”

“This sounds ominous.”

“I hope not, but I have made a few presumptions on both our behalves.”

Lydia sat on the edge of the bed as she had while tending to him. It was a closeness she had missed once he had been able to move downstairs. “Go on.”

“I asked Jones to include two items in the letter he sent to London a few weeks ago. The first was about my desire to find a new position. He has had a reply, and it seems that our work over the last weeks is to be recognised after all, if a little quietly. I have been offered a job in the Home Office. It will be in a few months; Jones asked that I be given some time to recuperate. The job might be positioned abroad, looking after our interests overseas and using my skills as a people-pleaser, to repeat Jones’s eloquent words.”

“He certainly has a way with them.”

“Would you mind going abroad? It is more money and a better position.” Matthew knew her experience of the wider world was limited and he did not wish to frighten her away, but he had to hope she would agree, as it was by far the best opportunity he would get.

“If it means I am by your side, I will go anywhere,” Lydia said.

“Thank you. That means the world to me and means I can provide a better living for us both. The accommodation will be included in the posting, so I shall have more money and fewer expenses.”

“Unless I turn out to be an expensive wife.”

“In that case I shall have to work harder, for I want to give you everything.”

“It seems you are giving me the world, for I would never have travelled beyond Sidmouth only for meeting you. It will be our grand adventure.”

“Perfect.” Matthew hoped his next piece of news was well judged on his part. “The second task I gave to Jones was as a result of something you said. I hope you weren’t funning when