Page 73 of Rogue’s Holiday

“She did. Now we can turn to the task at hand. And, for that, I am thinking I might call in a few friends.”

Jack paused in his polishing. “Which friends might those be?”

“Well, it occurred to me that since the villain thinks to meet his men at The Prospect, and that is a favorite haunt of the Powell Shipping crews, why not enlist a few to our cause? One of the ships is certain to be in port. It might even be my own.”

“Do you really think we need them when there are two of us and we are better armed?”

“It’s merely a contingency. You see, I’ve been thinking he set this up from the beginning to lure me to him. Oh, he meant to hurt Chastity, I’ve no doubt about that, but he must have known I’d track the two he left in Brighton to their nest. It was an easy way for him to dispense with the two he didn’t need while pointing me to the place he wanted to be found.”

Jack began hiding his knives on his person. Two went into sheaths inside his boots; one went into a loop inside the back of his breeches; one he slipped down inside his shirt along his forearm; and two lodged at his hips.

Robbie watched, fascinated. “Do you always carry so many knives?”

“Pas toujours. But since you told me we were being followed about Brighton, yes. Now, as for these troublesome pests who would lurk in the shadows and seek to ruin young ladies of good breeding, I say let’s away with them and quickly.” Jack swept his index finger across his throat. “Comme ça.”

Robbie had to laugh. “There are times, Jack, when you quite amaze me.”

“Those devils interfere with our vacances, non? And they would hurt the lovely virago?”

“They did, though, thank God, not as badly as they intended. I shall send a message to Tiller who will ascertain the whereabouts of the crew. It might be that the leader of the brigands has yet more men of which we know naught.”

Being the guest of the Countess of Claremont had its advantages. She had more servants than Chastity would have imagined for one lady and a cook. In a few days’ time, Chastity had gone from a beaten and starved captive, threatened with ruin, to a lady of leisure dining with a denizen of the ton.

But she had not forgotten the terror of her capture nor joy in the arms of her saviour.

The dinner they had that evening was one she would remember and not just for the food. Branched silver candlesticks graced the mahogany table set with sparkling crystal, some colored blue, and porcelain in a pattern she recognized as one by Spode, which her mother greatly admired. In the center of the table sat a squat vase full of white roses. Above the flowers hung a brilliant crystal chandelier with a multitude of candles.

The countess claimed the seat at the head of the table and directed Chastity to the chair on her right, which a footman pulled out for her. The food served them was sumptuous. It began with vegetable soup. “The vegetables are from Cook’s kitchen garden,” said the countess. “In the summer there are so many to choose from.”

“’Tis delicious,” remarked Chastity. “My mother has an extensive kitchen garden.”

“In Northampton?”

“Yes.”

“Do you miss your home?” the countess asked.

Chastity thought of what she might say that did not sound ungrateful. “Our home is not so grand as yours, Countess, but it is old and stately and has a beautiful setting. I do love the countryside and think of it often. But I must tell you I have enjoyed the visit with Aunt Agatha. We get on as the best of friends. She is always full of ideas for amusement and knows such interesting people. Through her, I met the king and Mrs. Fitzherbert, her neighbor, and so many others.”

“I am not surprised. I, too, find Agatha’s company delightful. In the last few years, she has become something of an eccentric but it seems to suit her.”

“I love how she dresses in bright colors,” said Chastity. “I designed a pair of shoes for her with yellow sunflowers on the toes to go with one of her gowns. She quite liked them.”

“You design shoes?” the countess inquired.

“’Tis a hobby I learned from my father. When we are not engaged in reading or some other pursuit, he and I design shoes, he most often men’s boots. He only makes a prototype for the shoemakers to use whereas I design for my friends and family.”

“What an industrious young woman you are, Miss Reynolds. I begin to see that your beauty is not the only thing about you that Sir Robert finds compelling.”

Chastity felt her cheeks flame and dropped her gaze to the crimped cod in oyster sauce, just being served. Desperate to change the subject, she raised her head and asked, “Have you ever been to the fish market on the beach at Brighton?

“I have observed it from the Marine Parade on one of my morning walks with Agatha, but we did not participate.”

“It was great fun. Sir Robert helped me select fish for Aunt Agatha’s cook.” She fought a laugh, remembering how much they had bought. When the countess furrowed her brow, Chastity said, “Between my friend, Rose Crockett, and Sir Robert’s uncle, Monsieur Donet, we purchased a veritable feast of fish.”

“You enjoyed yourself, then?”

“Oh, yes.” She smiled recalling that morning. Perhaps that was the beginning of her softening to the man she had once called The Rogue. But why did he want to marry her? She wasn’t beautiful like Rose or her sisters. She wasn’t high-born like many of the ladies he could wed. His thought to marry her seemed impulsive, rash even. He might reconsider. And, if he did, perhaps, if they could be nothing more, they could be friends. But she knew that would never satisfy her, not after she had known his kisses, his arms around her.