Virtue of a Governess (15 page)

She raised her eyebrows at his eagerness. “Tomorrow, around eight?”

He threw his head back, laughing. “I like you, Miss Douglas. Tomorrow it is then.”

The following morning, despite her desperate need to organise the study, Nicola gave in to Meg’s insistent urging to accompany her shopping.

As they alighted from the omnibus in the city centre, Nicola was close to regretting asking Meg to be her companion tonight, for the younger woman had done nothing but talk about it since dinner the previous evening.

Entering a dressmaker’s shop, Meg chuckled. “I do believe I nearly fell in a faint when you asked me to attend this dinner party.”

“Keep your voice down, Meg.” Nicola glanced at the women milling around the bolts of cloth and stands of clothes. “You will promise to behave tonight, won’t you?”

Inspecting a burnt orange silk dress, Meg winked. “I always behave.”

“I mean it, Meg.” Nicola spotted a table full of hosiery on sale and inspected a few items.

“Your American is quite dashing.”

“He’s not my American.” Nicola glared at her, hoping she’d be quiet.

“His voice sends shivers down my spine.” Meg giggled. “I simply tingled all over yesterday when he said goodbye and kissed my hand.”

“Meg,” she threatened in a low murmur. After selecting some hosiery, she moved on to another stand showcasing straw boaters just arrived from England. Beside the hats was an assortment of lace gloves on shelves.

“I do hope the ship’s captain is as handsome as your American. But if he isn’t, no doubt I’ll put up with him for your sake. They must be rich, owning a ship. I should wear something marvellous just in case.”

Tossing down the lace gloves she’d been considering, Nicola turned away. “I’m leaving. You’re impossible.”

Laughing, Meg grabbed her hand and prevented her from departing the shop. “Oh now, Nicola, don’t be so stuffy.”

“I should have known better. I shall cancel tonight.”

“Nonsense. I won’t hear of it.” Meg pouted and then grinned. “I’m sorry. I’ll behave.”

“I don’t know why I agreed to Mr Warner’s request. I’m not usually so impulsive, really.”

“You agreed because he’s handsome and intriguing. Who could resist such an offer of dinner on board the man’s very own ship!” Meg picked out a deep red dress with white lace around the bust line and sleeves. “This will be perfect for me.”

“Where did you get the money for such a dress?”

“My aunt, naturally. She sent money two days ago.”

“Good, then you can pay some board.”

“Oh, Nicola, you do know how to spoil a day!” Meg stormed away to another table full of lace and silk ribbons.

Unperturbed, she followed her. “You know the rules. Those who can pay must do so.”

“I swear I’ll never tell you anything again.”

“Don’t behave like a child, Meg.” Nicola turned away and headed for the door.

“Where are you going?”

She stopped. “To tell Mr Warner we won’t be dining with him tonight. If you’re going to behave like a spoilt child and-”

“Oh, all right. I’ll pay for my keep.” Meg huffed and flounced out of the door.

“It’s only fair, Meg, and you know it.”

“All I know is that Mr Belfroy found a defender in you. I bet you count the peas in the pot to make sure the cook hasn’t cut you short.”

Nicola laughed. “Perhaps I do.” She tucked her arm through Meg’s and they headed down the street.

“Nicola? Nicola!”

She searched the pedestrians for the person who called her name. Across the road Frances waved. Beside her, Nathaniel stood staring.

Summoning a smile, Nicola waited for them to join her and Meg. “It’s good to see you, Frances, Mr West.” She’d not seen Frances since their argument and the hurt lingered faintly. She kept her gaze from Nathaniel, not needing to look at him to feel his daunting presence which filled her senses.

“How are you?” Frances smiled. Today she wore a lemon dress and looked prettier for it.

“I’m well.” Nicola turned to indicate Meg. “You remember my friend, Miss Robinson?”

After the pleasantries, a suffocating awkwardness sprang up and Nicola glanced down at her shoes, trying to think of something interesting to say, but her mind was blank of everything except Nathaniel West, who stood opposite to her.

“Did you receive the flowers, Miss Douglas?” Mr West asked.

Appalled at her lack of manners, Nicola became flustered. “Yes, indeed. Thank you very much. They are lovely.”

“Would you care to come to dinner, Nicola, and you too, Miss Robinson?” Frances asked, her hand reaching out to settle lightly on Nicola’s arm. It was a gesture of apology, of hope, and Nicola covered Frances’s hand with her own and smiled.

“Tonight?” Frances grinned, her expression one of anticipation.

“Thank you, Miss West, but we have an engagement for tonight.” Meg raised her chin, her eyes laughing at Nathaniel. “Nicola and I have been invited to dine on Mr Warner’s ship. He is newly arrived from America and has taken a special interest in our dear Nicola.”

“Meg!” Nicola gasped, her cheeks burning. She looked at Nathaniel whose eyes seemed to have turned from violet to steel grey. A pinched whiteness surrounded his lips, which were tightly clamped together.

“Well, that is wonderful for you both.” Frances’s voice shook a little. “An American would have so many new and interesting things to talk about. I hope you both have a lovely evening.”

“Frances, you know the address of Mr Belfroy’s new establishment, the Governess Home?” Nicola swallowed nervously.

“Yes, I do.”

“Then perhaps you would care to come for tea tomorrow, around four?”

“Thank you, I-”

Nathaniel stepped forward. “Does the invitation include me, Miss Douglas?” His direct stare dared her to refuse him.

“In-indeed, sir. You are most welcome. Though…though the house is not yet ready for us to entertain properly…”

“We shall see you at four then. Good day, ladies.” He bowed and taking Frances’s arm, marched away.

Nicola sagged and put a shaking hand up to her throat. Why did he have the power to reduce her to a witless and nervy fool?

“Come, Nicola.” Meg dragged her down the street. “Time is getting away and we have much to do before tonight.”

The hired cab halted on the road alongside the moonlit quay and Nicola descended the step to the ground. It seemed that all of Sydney congregated at the quay tonight. Golden light spilt from the street gas lamps and some of the ships in the harbour had strung up colourful Chinese lanterns, giving the harbour an air of gaiety and excitement. So many people mingled, laughter and chatter filled the warm spring night air.

“Oh, how did I forget?” Meg came to stand beside her and stared around, eyes wide with anticipation.

“What did you forget?” Nicola couldn’t help but get energized by the cheerful atmosphere in the dock area.

“The navy!” Meg clapped her gloved hands. “Two naval ships are in the harbour. See, over there.” She pointed to two large ships riding at anchor in the harbour. “I read about it in the newspaper yesterday. One British and one French. They have joined together to hold a special ball on board the British ship. Everyone who is anyone will be there.” She paused as a wealthy couple glided past, the woman’s jewels dazzling in the light. “I confess, Nicola, if your American and his captain are as dull as dead fish, I will slip away and join the fun over there.” She giggled, but there was a glint in her eyes that made the joke seem less light-hearted.

“If you do that, Meg Robinson, our friendship will be over for good.”

“Oh, come on then.” Meg sighed dramatically. “Let us go aboard and see what Mr Warner has to entertain us.”

They strolled down the quay until they reached the plank walkway for the Lady Hilton.

“Ho there, ladies.” Mr Warner, all smiles, hurried down to meet and escorted them up onto the deck. “Welcome aboard.” He held out both arms for them to take. “Shall we go inside? The captain and I have sent the crew ashore and we’ve made use of the saloon. I’m afraid as mere men it lacks the decorative touches of a female, but I hope you’ll be comfortable enough.”

The saloon held a long red carpet under a solid looking timber table highly polished. Tall candelabras around the room created a welcoming glow and shone on the silverware. In the centre of the table was an elegant glass bowl on a stand filled with exotic fruits of pineapple, oranges and grapes, which hung over the edge, tempting the most selective of palates.

The far door opened and a man entered. Nicola liked the look of him at once. He appeared to be young, but close up she depicted the lines on his handsome face and the seriousness of his grey eyes. She guessed him to be about thirty, a few years younger than Mr Warner.

“Miss Douglas, Miss Robinson, please meet my partner and captain of this ship, James Pollings.”

“Ladies, welcome.” Captain Pollings bowed over their hands and then indicated for them to sit at the table. “I hope dinner will be to your satisfaction. My cook is an old man, but good at his craft.”

Nicola sat down and adjusted her skirts, glad she’d 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.”