bought a new gown in pale green with cream lace on the bodice and sleeves. As she glanced up, she noticed Meg staring openly at the captain. She kicked her under the table, all the while smiling at the two gentlemen. Meg jerked, blinked and lowered her head. Nicola beamed a wider smile to cover her friend’s behaviour. “Is this your first time to Sydney, too, Captain, like Mr Warner?”
“No, Miss Douglas. I had the pleasure of sailing into this fine harbour last year. It was that trip which prompted me to talk to Hilton about furthering our business interests.”
Mr Warner poured wine for them all. “Our country is still suffering the effects of the civil war, you understand. It will take time for trade to recover as it once was.”
“Did you fight?” Nicola asked, alarmed at the quietness of Meg, who now studied her empty plate as though it held the answers to the world’s mysteries.
“Absolutely, as Yankees. We both fought.” Warner grew serious. “I can happily say that I’d be a contented man if I never saw another rifle or cannon again, but that is the way of many a man’s thinking after war.” He straightened and raised his glass. “To tonight.” He gazed fondly at Nicola as they all raised their glasses. “May this be the beginning of lifelong friendships.” They echoed his sentiments as the first course was brought out.
As the cook and his young helper served the courses throughout the next few hours, Nicola found herself truly relaxed. The captain and Warner were wonderful hosts. At times they all spoke together, and at others they would break off into smaller conversations. She was amazed at Meg’s solemnity, she spoke little, but paid great attention to the captain’s every word. Had the handsome captain swept Meg off her feet? It hardly seemed possible.
“Nicola is an uncommon name, Miss Douglas. One I have rarely heard,” Warner murmured, sipping brandy as the last of their plates were taken away by the cabin boy.
She wiped her mouth with the napkin, replete from the fine meal of potato and leek soup, a beef stew, and lastly, cooked whole apples in a treacle sauce. “My father was called Nicholas. My mother named me after him.” She smiled, thinking of her father and how he would have enjoyed the conversation with these two intelligent men.
“Tell me about him.”
Talking about her father was an easy assignment and they swallowed up another hour discussing not only her father, but teaching and world events.
Warner topped up her glass with more wine as the clock on the wall chimed midnight. “I was named after my mother’s family. She was a Hilton before marriage.” He grinned, his hazel eyes lingering on her face.
“The Lady Hilton is named for her?”
“No, for my grandmother. She was a very special lady.”
“Are all your family still in Boston?”
“Yes. My parents and sister.” He ran his fingertip around the edge of the glass. “I would like to show you my home, Miss Douglas.”
Her heart fluttered. “I am certain I would enjoy it, Mr Warner.” She looked away, concentrating on Meg’s rapt expression as she listened to the captain’s soft voice. Nicola wished she could hear what they talked about so she could join in and take Mr Warner’s attention away from her. She felt rather overwhelmed by it.
“Would you come, if I asked?”
She stared at him, wondering if she heard correctly. “I hardly think it is possible, Mr Warner.”
“Why?”
“I have a position here, responsibilities. I cannot simply relinquish them to sail to America. My income is only what I receive from Mr Belfroy. I do not have the means to be free to roam the world as I wish…” She blushed, knowing she had spoken too much, revealed too much.
“Forgive me.” He bowed his head. “I let myself run away with half formed ideas and expect everyone else to be the same. Thankfully, not all are as impulsive as me, or the world would be in a terrible state, would it not?”
She smiled, admiring him for the way he had apologised and averted her from further embarrassment. Standing, she caught Meg’s attention. “Thank you, Mr Warner, Captain Pollings, for your wonderful hospitality and your friendship. I know I can speak for Miss Robinson as well as myself in saying tonight has been very enjoyable for us both. However, it is very late and we must be going.”
“Yes, I thank you too.” Meg stood and crossed the room to gather their shawls.