“Hannah is certain you’ve taken a piece of jewellery from Miss Peacock’s chest in her room. Is this so?”
“Nope.”
“Then to settle this matter I will have to search your belongings and your person.”
“No, you ain’t.” Bessie edged backwards.
Movement at the door leading into the corridor had them all turning. Miss McIntyre and Meg stood on the step.
“Yes?” Nicola sighed. She’d had only an hour’s sleep since the ball last night and her eyes felt as though they had sand rubbed in them.
Meg stepped down into the kitchen. “You’ve a visitor.”
“I can deal with this, Miss Douglas.” Miss McIntyre strode forward, her height and stern manner seemed to shrink the room. “You go and deal with your visitor and then go up to bed. You need your rest.” She turned to Bessie. “You. Don’t think for one minute you have been forgotten. Miss Peacock has searched every room in this house and her brooch is nowhere to be found. However, Miss Shaw swears on the Bible she saw the brooch on Miss Peacock’s table this morning when you were in the room changing the sheets. So, let us start again.”
Nicola slipped from the room with Meg following. They were content to let Florence deal with the servant. Nicola hoped Florence would never leave, she’d be lost without her help and support.
“Nicola.” Meg halted her in the hallway.
“Yes?”
“I’ve hardly seen you this morning. We haven’t had a chance to speak of my engagement.”
Nicola grasped Meg’s hand. “You know I’m delighted for you. I told you that last night.”
“I know, but there were so many people around. Do you truly believe I’m making the right decision?”
She glanced up the hallway. “Meg, I have someone waiting. Can we talk later?”
Nodding, Meg stepped away towards the study. “Can I use in here to write to my mother?”
“Of course.” She smiled. “I’m dreadfully tired, but later we’ll talk, I promise. Oh, and Meg?”
“Yes?”
“The captain is a fine man.”
A wide smile lit Meg’s face. “Yes. He is.”
Nicola turned for the drawing room, stifling a yawn behind her hand. What she wouldn’t give for a few hours sleep.
As she entered the room, Nathaniel stood up from the sofa, a soft smile playing on his lips. “Miss Douglas.”
“Mr West.” She didn’t expect him and immediately put a hand to her hair to tidy it. After leaving the ball at sunrise, it felt like she’d been asleep only a second or two before being woken by a frantic Miss Peacock, wanting her to confront Bessie. Her appearance wasn’t up to visitors, especially Mr West, who seemed to have slept well and looked rested and refreshed in his smart dark suit. Last night they had danced just once, but her heart skipped as she remembered how close her held her, how his gaze never left her face. He had smiled and complimented her the whole time and in his arms she’d felt secure, wanted, and she liked that feeling.
Nathaniel softly tapped his hat against his leg. “I’m sorry to call unannounced, but I was wondering if you’d like to take a drive with me this afternoon?”
“Oh…”
“Frances will be with us also.”
“I’m afraid I haven’t had much sleep and am frightfully tired.”
“How about I promise to stop for a while to give us a chance to nap under the trees?” His smile spoke straight to her heart, which didn’t help matters.
“Well…”
“Three o’clock?”
“Um…”
“That’s settled then.”
He stepped forward, took her hand and kissed it. “Until three.”
“Er, yes.” She stared after him as he left the room. It had happened so quickly. She gazed down at the spot he’d kissed on her hand. He’d kissed just above the knuckle of her third finger on her left hand. Did it have a particular meaning or was she just imagining it? Lord, she must be tired. Sleepily, she turned for the stairs and her bedroom.
Later, refreshed after a few hours sleep, Nicola washed and changed, taking extra care with her toilette, as the minutes ticked by towards three o’clock. She shouldn’t have agreed to go. Warner was expecting her answer and she was surprised he’d not called before now. Thankfully he hadn’t pressed her last night for an answer. He’d been surrounded by interested people the whole night and she was grateful for it.
A soft knock preceded Florence, who quietly closed the door behind her. “Oh good, you’re awake.”
“If there are more problems, Florence, I really don’t want to know.” She sighed, collecting her white lace gloves from the bedside table. With a