Captain Jones's Temptation - Audrey Harrison Page 0,67

all what had happened with regards to Sophie in the letter. A terrible set of events,” Lydia said.

“I suppose she knows the truth now. Secrets can be just as damaging.”

“Yes.” Lydia was floundering. She did not know how to progress the conversation and looked in appeal at Matthew.

Sighing at the cursing he was guaranteed to receive, he looked at Samuel. “What my darling wife is trying to say, badly, is why the deuce did you not give Miss Hardy the respectability she craves by marrying her?”

“Matthew!” Lydia cried in horror. “Captain Jones, I am so—”

“If Miss Hardy is hoping for respectability, I am the last person to be able to offer it to her,” Samuel said, his tone sharp. He sent daggers towards Matthew, who looked amused – pleased to know that although he was being cursed for uttering the words, his friend would not draw his cork in front of his wife.

Thankfully for Samuel, the butler announced that the meal was ready to be served, and the three moved to the dining room. They spoke on inane topics whilst in front of the servants, but Samuel knew without doubt that once they returned to the drawing room when the tea was served, they would be alone, and the tormenting would begin again. It was only what he would have done with Matthew, but it grated on his nerves more than his friend would have guessed.

As predicted, the moment the door closed on the last servant, Matthew turned to Samuel. “Your words were a little puzzling. I know you have had mistresses – sorry, my dear,” he said, turning to his wife, “but there’s no point skirting around the issue; he has had a few over the years – but that’s hardly something to dent your respectability. I am sure it would not concern Miss Hardy.”

“I am only just noticing how unsubtle you are, Matthew,” Lydia half-moaned, half-laughed. “Could you not be a little more circumspect? Or a little less obvious?”

“Jones would not expect anything else, would you, my friend?”

“No. You have always been a bumbling fool,” Samuel said. “I apologise, Mrs. Dunn, that my history should be bandied about like some piece of gossip in one of the less salubrious magazines. I am sure you do not wish to know of my past exploits.”

“I must admit it hints at a very interesting life,” Lydia said. She burst out laughing at the look of surprise on Samuel’s face. “Sorry. I have had a very sheltered life until my marriage – either that or I think I have spent too much time around my husband.”

“I agree. I think you have.”

Matthew decided it was time to interject. “The upshot of it is that you are obviously besotted with Miss Hardy. From the look of you, you are positively lovelorn. So, why not marry her?”

Samuel sighed. There was no way he could think up an excuse that Matthew would believe; they had spent too much time with each other over the years. “I cannot give her the respectability she desires. And no, it has nothing to do with any liaisons I might or might not have had.”

“I don’t understand,” Matthew said. “You are from a good family.”

“I am from half of a good family.”

“But—” Matthew started.

“Oh dear,” Lydia said. She had realised quicker than Matthew had the implications of Samuel’s words.

“Exactly,” Samuel interrupted them both. “My father decided that he was sick of his wife and had an affair, a mésalliance, whatever you wish to call it. Hence, I was the youngest but sent to live with relatives. My father might have a good pedigree, but my mother is a housekeeper.”

“Dear Lord! I never suspected a thing,” Matthew exclaimed.

“Do you think I should look different because of my poor start in life?” Samuel asked in some amusement.

“Well, no, but there was never a hint that you might not be quite the thing,” Matthew said.

“My father is averse to scandal, and it appears his wife is equally so. She accepted that the housekeeper was dismissed, and for some reason my father pressed to bring me up within the family. She could not agree to that but could accept my being brought up by relatives,” Samuel explained. “This is the first time I have ever spoken of it, and it goes without saying that I would appreciate your discretion on the matter.”

“Of course,” Lydia said. “Captain Jones, I can only apologise for being so insensitive and forcing you to reveal what you clearly would prefer