Captain Jones's Temptation - Audrey Harrison Page 0,68

to have kept a secret.”

“Yes, I would have, but the truth was the only thing your fool of a husband would have accepted.”

“But it does not make sense. In fact, it’s perfect,” Matthew interjected. “You both have histories that aren’t the best, so neither would have the advantage over the other. It’s a perfect start to a marriage.”

“Oh, Matthew, you really do go around with your eyes closed, don’t you, my dear?” Lydia said.

Laughing at the surprised expression on his friend’s face, Samuel turned to Lydia. “I see you know your friend well and understand my predicament.”

“Yes. It is so unfair, but I can fully appreciate why you would not wish to pursue anything with Esther,” Lydia said. Her heart felt heavy, both for her friend and Samuel. It seemed they were destined not to be together.

“Well, I haven’t a clue what you two are babbling about, so if one of you would be so kind as to let me in on the secret, I would be much obliged.”

“I’ll let you explain, Mrs. Dunn,” Samuel said.

“Esther has always craved respectability. She has had an almost overwhelming drive to be seen as an upright young woman, of good repute. Her new knowledge of her history will have only increased that need,” Lydia said.

“Oh. And Samuel’s birth would only threaten that further.”

“Exactly,” Samuel said. “So can we drop the subject now?”

“I am sorry, truly I am,” Matthew said. All jollity was gone. He felt real sadness that his friend would not experience the joy of marriage the way he had. “I did not know.”

“No. But there is nothing any of us can do about it, so let us forget it.”

That might have been the end of the conversation, but it resolved nothing for Samuel. Later, in bed, he did not think he would ever have a decent night’s sleep again, for thoughts of Esther kept him staring at the roof of his canopy bed long into the night. He had never met anyone like her, and as much as he was trying to, he could not forget her.

Chapter 22

Lydia paced the drawing room. She had struggled with her decision, and although she had now made it, she still was not at ease. Not one for interfering, she had wrestled for two whole days before sending out the note asking Samuel to visit her after morning visits had taken place.

She had probably been the most inattentive guest during the visits she had accompanied her mother-in-law on, and now she was a twittering mess. Hoping to goodness she was taking the right course of action, she smoothed down the front of her dress when the butler entered the room. After announcing Samuel, the butler left the room to order the refreshments Lydia requested.

“No Dunn today?” Samuel asked. The absence of his friend made Lydia’s request even more curious and mysterious than the wording on the note had been.

“I persuaded him that his joining us would not be productive. Please take a seat, Captain Jones.” Lydia sat, hoping the tea would arrive soon to give her hands something to do. Clasping them on her lap, she smiled at her guest. “I am sure you were surprised to receive my missive.”

“I admit I was a little, but that does not mean to say it was unwelcome,” Samuel said.

“Thank you. It was only after a great deal of thought that I realised you were the only person who I could speak about my concerns with.” Lydia paused when the door opened and a maid entered with a tea tray. “Would you like tea, Captain Jones?”

Samuel was beginning to feel that something stronger than tea might be required, but he nodded. “That would be lovely, thank you. Is there anything amiss with Dunn?”

“Oh no! Matthew is perfectly well. I am being foolish about this, am I not? I shall get to the point. I came to you as a result of receiving a letter from Esther two days ago. I was not sure what to do at first, but I came to the decision that only you could help.”

“Is she unwell?” Samuel resisted the urge to get on his horse and ride over to Corless House immediately.

“She is fine. Well, as much as she can be considering what has happened,” Lydia continued. “It would appear that her grandmother has revealed Esther’s address to Mr. Boyd.”

“Damn that woman!” Samuel spat. “I beg your pardon, Mrs. Dunn. Forgive my outburst, but to say Esther’s grandmother is the most unnatural relation