Page 33 of The Captain’s Valentine (The “Other” Trents #3)

When Harrison arrived at the Felding household he found Perdita pacing in the parlor. Her hands were fisted, and her steps were not gentle. Not only that, her face was set with tension, eyes tight and brow furrowed.

What the devil had happened?

Did he dare ask?

He had never seen her in such a state and he was not certain how he should respond.

“That woman!”

she snarled then threw up her hands.

Harrison searched the room and caught the eye of a concerned Lady Felding who held up her hands and shrugged—helpless. Or she did not know the cause either.

“It is bad enough that she wants control of my life, but to threaten others is beyond acceptable.”

“Who did she threaten?”

Harrison asked in alarm.

Perdita whipped around to stare at him. “I had not realized you had arrived.”

“I am aware,”

he answered slowly. “Who was threatened?”

She opened her mouth a few times to speak but each time closed it.

“Was it you?”

“No. That I could have dealt with.”

“Then who?”

“I cannot say…or, I cannot say what.”

Perdita threw up her hands in frustration and plopped on the settee. “The Duchess of Clare came to Westbrook House to give Lady Victoria a generous donation but demanded that I be let go in order to receive it.”

Harrison wished he could be surprised, but he wasn’t.

“Lady Victoria refused and that is when Her Grace threatened to see both Lady Victoria and Lady Sinclair ruined.”

“How?”

Lady Felding asked.

“I cannot say. I do not even know the details, but enough was said that Lady Victoria feared that a story she wished to keep secret would be shared.”

As the Valentines had their own secrets, no doubt Perdita was very sensitive to their predicament.

“She then threatened to reveal a Sinclair family secret.”

Harrison stiffened. He knew what they hid. “Did she mention who was involved in the secret?”

“His mother, but that is all I know. And I do not wish to know more because it is not my concern.”

How had the woman learned that Dr. Sinclair’s mother had suffered from deep melancholy and had she learned the truth of how the death of Sinclair’s parents came about? “I am certain Sinclair did not take her threats well.”

“It was the first time I have seen him so cold and still.”

“Is that when they asked you to leave?”

Lady Felding asked.

“No. It was my decision. It would be selfish for me to remain when they could be harmed.”

“That is why you are angry?”

Harrison asked, not certain to whom it was directed.

“Not at the Sinclairs or Lady Victoria. They did nothing wrong, but that woman for ruining and taking away something that brought me happiness all because she did not approve and to gain control of me.”

“A missive has arrived for you, Miss Perdita.”

A footman announced as he carried a tray into the parlor.

She took it and broke the seal. “Please inform the messenger that I am indisposed and will be unable to attend dinner at Her Grace’s home this evening.”

“Nobody waiting for a reply.”

“Then I shall send one.”

Perdita marched to a writing desk, pulled out a piece of foolscap and scratched out a message before she sanded and sealed the letter. “Please see that this is delivered.”

“What did you say to her?”

Lady Felding asked with concern.

“That I am unable to attend. I did not thank her for the invitation. I also informed her that so long as she continues to interfere in the life that I have chosen for myself that I will remain indisposed and not at home to her.”

“She will not take that very well,”

Lady Felding suggested with hesitation.

“I honestly do not care at the moment.”

Harrison understood, but he wondered if Perdita realized she had just declared war and he was not so confident that she would be the victor in the end.

It worried him even more because he would not be here to protect her.

She was angry.

Enraged!

It had built from the moment she turned her back on Her Grace, said her goodbyes and then in carriage with Dr. and Lady Sinclair.

She did not like this foreign emotion and wished it would dissipate. But the more Perdita thought of the threats, the angrier she became. What right did Her Grace have to threaten good people who were doing good things simply because Perdita was not behaving as she wished?

It was sad and disappointing, but Perdita wouldn’t even want to be friends with a person like that, let alone have a mother daughter relationship.

“Perhaps I should go,”

Harrison offered.

“No!”

she answered almost before he finished speaking.

Harrison left tomorrow morning and she was not going to spend that time angry but with him and unhappy. Difficulties with the duchess could wait. This was their last night together.

“Please, come in and have tea. I will endeavor to put my anger aside while you are here.”

He chuckled and settled on the other end of the settee. “You do not need to hide anything from me, Miss Perdita.”

“Well, I do not want one of your last memories before you sail to be that of me raging and angry. They should be pleasant or you will not want to return.”

Again, he laughed. “I have many fond memories to take with me,”

he assured her. “This afternoon is but a minor moment in the grand scheme of things.

“How many memories could you have, Captain Trent?”

Rosalind asked out of curiosity. “I am to understand that you and Perdita have not even know one another a month.”

“We have shared many memorable conversations, Lady Felding.”

He looked at Perdita, warmth in his green eyes. “She has become very important to me, my dearest friend.”

“Yes, friends, I am certain.”

Rosalind nearly snorted then came to her feet. “Noah and I are to attend a dinner this evening. Shall I send your regrets, Perdita?”

“Please. I do not want to be out of this house and risk running into Her Grace.”

“You will not be able to avoid her forever.”

“Then I shall avoid her for as long as I can.”

“I will see you before we leave.”

With that, Rosalind swept from the room leaving them very much alone.

“I am very sorry you arrived and found me in such a state. I truly am not a person to become angry.”

“Ever?”

he asked with humor.

“I have been irritated, and perhaps upset on occasion, but never so much as I have been since I met the Duchess of Clare.”

She turned fully to face him. “But we shall not speak of her tonight. We shall enjoy each other’s company and I will try desperately not to cry when you walk out the door.”

“You would cry?” he asked.

“I fear I will and I am not ashamed to admit how much I will miss you.”

He leaned in and pressed his lips against her. It wasn’t passion or desire, but tenderness and if he had but said the words to her, she would believe that it was a kiss of love.

“Is your ship ready to depart?”

“Yes,”

he answered. “The crew has come aboard and all provisions have been stored. We set sail at high tide.”

“When is that?”

“Not long after midnight.”

She pulled back as if surprised. “I always thought ships sailed in the morning, near sunrise.”

“Not always and not in this case.”

He took her hand. “Walk with me in the garden.”

“I would like that.”

Perdita was happy to accompany him. The last time they were in the garden he kissed her and Perdita hoped in her heart of hearts that he would do so again.

He led her to the bench beneath the shade tree where she knew they could not be viewed then settled upon it.

“I have one favor before I go.”

“Anything?”

“Oh, do not make that offer, Perdita, for it could see you ruined.”

Her face burned at the very idea of what he would ask of her.

“What is your request, Harrison?”

“Kiss me.”

She did not need to be asked a second time and wrapped her arms about his neck and drew him close before pressing her lips to his. In no time, their kiss deepened and Harrison swept her up on his lap, and as it had been in the carriage, his hands caressed up and down her back then her side, until he cupped a breast again as his lips trailed hot kisses down her neck and just above her midriff, as the ache in her neither regions increased more than ever before when his hand slipped under her skirt and caressed up her thigh.

“Perdita, are you out here?”

Rosalind called from inside.

Perdita jumped from his lap and quickly stood, shaking out her skirt while Harrison crossed his legs and folded his hands on his lap. “We are in the garden,”

she called.

She appeared at the entry a moment later. “Noah and I are leaving in a moment. Are you certain we should not remain in tonight?”

“All will be well,”

Perdita promised.

“Good night then and have a safe voyage, Captain Trent.”

“Thank you, Lady Felding.”

Neither of them said anything until Perdita was certain her sister was gone.

“This must be what they meant.”

“Who and what?”

Harrison asked slowly.

Perdita blinked at him, not aware that she had spoken that aloud.

“The women in the kitchen, well, they came from…”

Her face heated and started to burn. She certainly could not tell him what was actually said. “They discussed lovers and that intimacy could be pleasurable with a generous lover but kisses can be deceptive with a selfish one.”

With that thought, Perdita frowned. “I had never truly understood…well…until now. Or maybe I am just assuming.”

She stepped away and attempted to cool her face and wished that she had a fan.

Harrison chuckled. “I can promise that I am a generous lover, not a selfish one.”

“What is the difference?”

Perdita asked. “They never explained.”

Harrison’s cheeks darkened. Had she embarrassed him?

“It is better to demonstrate generous and it is not something I will discuss with you.”

She should have expected such a response because Harrison was an honorable man, but that did not bring a halt to her curiosity.

“I believe it is a good thing that I am already promised to dine with my brother and his family tonight or I might just find myself showing you how very generous I can be.”

Her face burned at the very idea. She really should have been more careful with her words.

“You should join us so that you are not here alone.”

As much as she wished to spend more time with him, it was just as important that she spend time with his family.

“I am certain that they would like to have you to themselves without my intrusion.”

“They would welcome you,”

he insisted.

“They would be polite,”

she corrected. “I am happy for the time I had.”

Blast, tears were forming. “Please have a safe journey and do not forget me,”

she said as she led him inside and to the entry.

“I could never forget you, Perdita. It would be impossible to do so.”

He then leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. “Your kisses will sustain me until I return.”

He then brushed his thumb across her cheek to swipe away a tear. She hadn’t even realized she was crying but seeing him go ached so deeply and she wanted to hold onto him, beg him to stay with her, but he must make this last voyage.

“Do not forget, you promised to wait for me.”

“I will. I promise,”

she said as they neared the door.

“Until I return.”

He kissed her forehead. “Let us pray that the current is swift and cargo moves onto the ship and is stored faster than ever before.”

“And that there is nothing but blue skies and strong winds.”

She smiled, her eyes watering again. “And that at night you have a clear sky with the stars to guide you.”

She had come to count on him so much these last weeks. More so than anyone else. Her heart ached and she silently prayed that he did not find the sea to be a more desirable mistress.