Page 9 of The Captain’s Valentine (The “Other” Trents #3)

As he had done since he got into port, Harrison spent the day on his ship. He had papers and journals that required his attention and he needed to check on the status of the repairs.

Though, in truth, he was having difficulty concentrating on anything other than Miss Perdita, which also put his mind to the mystery surrounding Oliver. Since it was through finding that child that he had met her in the first place, they were often joined in his thoughts, though for very different reasons.

He truly liked Perdita and if he was to be honest with himself, he might very well be infatuated with the miss. Otherwise, why would so many of his waking hours be spent thinking of her and her bright smile, sparkling blue eyes, golden curls and ample breasts. If it were simply the breasts, he would assume he was experiencing lust and nothing more. But with Perdita, it was everything about her, including her joy and philosophy…her goodness. She made him want to be a better man without even asking it of him.

If only he could decide his future, then he would know if he should pursue her and hope for a courtship or if he should never approach her again. As much as he wished the answer were easy, and if he were thinking with anything other than his head, he would give up the ship and court Perdita, but he reminded himself once again that he hardly knew her well enough to let his heart factor into any decision he may make.

However, a day away and without seeing her was for the best and it might help put matters into perspective, which was why he intended on spending the evening at White’s, where no women were allowed. Except, when he returned home, a note was waiting for him from Tristan. Apparently, his brother was to have taken his wife and Olivia to the theatre this evening but was unable to do so and requested that Harrison serve as escort.

Yesterday, it had been shopping and today it was the theatre. Was Tristan using him to avoid duties as guardian to their younger sister?

In truth, Harrison did not spend nearly enough time with his siblings and once Olivia wed, who knew where her husband might take her off to and his family could be spread out even further. Maxwell lived in Greece, Gideon along the coast in northern England, close to Scotland, and Sophia lived in Italy. Only Tristan, Olivia and a younger brother, Jamie, remained in Cornwall.

After he returned from Barbados, maybe he should limit his sailing to Greece, Italy and around England instead of crossing oceans.

It was a fourth option that he hadn’t considered. Such long trips would not be so difficult when he knew that he’d be visiting with a sibling. Perhaps he should speak with Bridges about opportunities for imports from Greece and Italy. Except, if he continued to sail, and be on land no more than he was now, then he could not pursue Perdita.

Harrison glanced at the missive again only to note that Tristan never said that he would await a reply but stated the time Harrison should arrive to dine with the family before taking the carriage to the theatre.

The theatre was not his first choice for entertainment, but as his brother had not given him a choice, he did as requested. Following supper, he then escorted his sister-in-law and sister to Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and settled into the box his family had always occupied.

What he had not expected when he glanced about the theatre was to see Perdita sitting with two other couples. One couple was Lord Felding and his wife, and the other was likely the aunt and uncle who had raised her, given they appeared older.

Harrison waited for Perdita to see him, but she did not. Instead, she glanced down at those who were seated but mostly standing on the floor then to the ceiling, more interested in the architecture than patrons it appeared. Then, as the lights were fully dimmed, she turned her attention to the stage.

He waited for her to grow bored and look around again since most people came to the theatre to see and be seen, but Perdita never looked away from the stage and appeared enthralled with the farce, laughing often.

A delight. Perdita was simply happy and sweet, and beautiful. She might be captivated by the performance but she held all his attention.

Never had he been so preoccupied with a female before and could not begin to understand why Perdita was so special. Further, it was completely out of character for him.

All he could explain to himself was that everything about Perdita felt right, as if she belonged to him and he hadn’t even kissed her yet.

Bloody hell!

She did not belong to him and he did not belong to her. At most, they were friends, but that was all.

At the applause of the patrons, Harrison was pulled from his most disturbing thoughts.

He could not let a miss, who he hardly knew, occupy the rest of his thoughts. There was no reason for it, or purpose, yet as he escorted his sister-in-law and Olivia through the crowd and from the theatre, he looked for Perdita.

They had met not even a fortnight ago and here he was chasing after a chance to speak with her. He wasn’t some lad suffering from an infatuation for the first time in his life, yet that was how he behaved.

“Good evening, Miss Perdita. Did you enjoy the performance?”

Harrison turned to find Olivia greeting Perdita.

Her face lit with happiness. “It was quite delightful.”

Harrison now wished that he’d paid closer attention but he had no idea what the play had even been about.

“It was much better than I thought it would be,”

Olivia agreed.

Perdita looked past him and frowned. “There she is again,”

she said quietly.

“Who?”

Felding asked.

“The woman that I see everywhere and she seems to be watching me.”

Harrison turned to see who might be there, but he only saw men gathered.

“She is gone again.”

This was the third time Perdita had made such a statement. His impression had always been that she was a sensible miss and not given to flights of fancy. Oh, she found joy in nearly everything, but that seemed to simply be who she was, not someone who imagined what was not there.

Then again, how well did he really know her?

She had truly enjoyed the theatre and watching the actors upon the stage as they told a story—a book come to life, and it did not matter if it was a comedy or drama or if there was music. It was a story being told.

It should not be a surprise that she enjoyed the theatre so much since she had loved being read to as a child. Then she would close her eyes and imagine it all in her mind and would do the same when she finally learned to read. Not that she closed her eyes then, but still, she imagined the world the author created.

In fact, she had felt lighter by the time the play had come to an end. Perhaps it was because she had laughed so much. Laughter was good for releasing burdens and perhaps that was why she practically floated down the stairs of the theatre as they were leaving. Then to encounter Captain Trent…it had simply made the evening so much better.

Perdita paused in her mending and looked about the kitchen at Westbrook House, where she was quite alone.

The evening had been pleasant until she saw that woman!

Who was she?

Was it truly a coincidence that they were often in the same place? London was large with hundreds of people, especially during the Season, so it would not be unusual to encounter the same people daily without ever having gained an introduction. Had Perdita only seen her shopping and outside the theatre, she likely would have given it no further thought. Except, she had been outside Westbrook House, and along the street outside of Felding’s home, where the woman paused and studied the structure.

Even though what had occurred might be very innocent, Perdita could not help but feel as if she were being followed.

But why?

Also, why was she the only person who ever saw her?

If Perdita didn’t trust her mind better, she might fear that she was imagining things.

She bit her bottom lip and glanced at her stitches.

What if she was?

Could she be slipping into a madness of sorts?

Should she speak with Dr. Sinclair in private? He was a physician who had spent years studying the mind.

“Keep an eye on the time, Miss Perdita,”

Edith warned as she entered the kitchen. “Your sister made plans for you tonight, remember?”

How could she forget? They were to visit Vauxhall Gardens.

Perdita had been anxiously waiting for this night because she had heard so much about the fireworks, dancing, and orchestra but was most excited to view the tightrope walker and other acrobats. She also hoped that she might encounter Captain Trent there and dreaded that she might again see the mysterious woman.

Oh, she had heard wonderful things about Vauxhall Gardens but was equally warned by those at Westbrook House. A miss could lose a good reputation if she strolled down the wrong walk with a rogue or rake.

She nearly laughed at the idea. First, she was not so foolish as to wander off with any man, no matter how sweet their words or how much they may flatter. That came from having older, protective brothers, who went to great lengths to explain that even the most polished gentleman could not be trusted, even less than those with known questionable reputations. And second, the only man who could tempt her to stray would be Captain Trent and since he was neither a rake nor a rogue, he would not even consider wanting to take her down a dark walk, let alone kiss her.

Though, that thought was rather disappointing. Still, she had no interest in risking ruination. The very last thing she wanted was to be forced into marriage with anyone, even if it was Captain Trent, and be required to give up her position at Westbrook House. Here, she had freedom and she was needed and served a purpose. Further, she could bring happiness and love to those less fortunate, such as she had received from her adoptive aunt and uncle.

That did not mean that she didn’t want to at least be kissed once and if it happened to be by Captain Trent, then she would not object.

“Remember, dark walks are for stolen kisses and more,”

Edith warned.

“Why would one do more than kiss?”

Perdita asked. “The couple would be outside where others were walking as well.”

Edith laughed. “It is the dark walk, Miss Perdita, and some of the most enjoyable activities happen in the dark when no one can see.”

Perdita’s face burned at the implication and returned her attention to her stitches while she wondered how much Edith said was teasing or the truth. Why would a couple engage in such outside?