At the Captain's Command

Chapter Four

“Ooh.” Dinah breathed out the word on a long, broken sigh, and her eyes burned with sudden tears. “Dear Captain, I am so sorry for your grief.” She gripped his hand. In spite of the dim light, she thought she saw his eyes redden, and her heart swelled with compassion. Experiences with the sick and broken men at the infirmary had taught her that in moments like these, silence was the best comforter.

He covered her hands with his free one for a moment before gently pulling away. “I would not have your kind condolences misunderstood by Mr. Hussey.”

He glanced toward the house, and she followed his gaze. There stood Artemis staring out through the dining room window. Dinah doubted he could see into their shadowed sanctuary, but she had no wish to feed his imaginings.

“Yes, of course.” She rose and walked toward a sunlit patch of lawn. The captain followed. “To answer your question, I must ask one.” She stopped and faced him. “Will your duties permit you a leave of absence to deliver your sad news in person?”

He stood with hands clasped behind him and stared toward the line of trees at the edge of the property. “Your instincts seem to be in accord with mine. A letter would be too cruel, especially for my dear sister.”

Dinah nodded. “Yes, and especially considering her delicate condition.”

“Ah.” Thomas’s eyes widened. “Little James is nearing three years, is he not? Time to welcome a little brother or sister.” A flash of pain crossed his eyes. “We must do nothing to cause her difficulty.”

Dinah guessed he referred to his own wife’s death in childbirth, but she would not seek a confirmation. “Do not be overly concerned, Captain. Marianne is strong and healthy. And in three weeks, Dr. and Mrs. Wellsey will be going to St. Johns Towne for her lying-in. You will be pleased to know that Mrs. Wellsey is a skilled midwife. I plan to accompany them. Perhaps you could travel with us.” She would greatly enjoy his company on the arduous overland trip.

“Hmm.” His black eyebrows bent into a frown. “I had hoped to put the matter behind me without delay, but perhaps this is the Almighty’s way of managing the affair.” He grunted. “In fact, I find myself grateful for the reprieve.”

Dinah offered a gentle smile. “I understand.” How good to hear of his trust in God, an attribute worthy of a superior leader, just like her brother.

Gazing down at her, he nodded. “I thank you.” As if wanting to break their solemn mood, he inhaled a quick, sharp breath and glanced around the garden. “This is a charming place, both this property and this little town. Tell me, Miss Templeton, what keeps you busy here beside your good works at the infirmary?”

Dinah could see he wished to move on to a lighter topic, and she was pleased to comply. “You may be surprised to learn, sir,” she said with a playful toss of her head, “that we have a very active social life here.”

He chuckled. “Do tell me about it.”

“Why, we have teas and parties and balls and picnics and no end of merry times. And of course the men go hunting.” She gave him a sidelong look. “You will be in great demand, Captain. Every mother of a marriageable young lady will seek your company.” Her teasing words threatened to stick in her throat. As before, she could not think of a single young lady worthy of this man, not even dear, wealthy Elizabeth Markham, for the girl rarely had a serious thought. Still, Dinah found herself nattering onward. “In fact, if you attend services at St. Peter’s Church this Sunday, I shall make certain you are introduced to the cream of our society.”

Again her words gave her pause. Growing up the son of an English earl, the captain no doubt had met truly exalted personages, perhaps even the king. Ignoring her uncertainties, she eyed him. “What do you say to that?”

Again he laughed. “I say that it would be imprudent of me to ignore your invitation if I expect to escape boredom in your fair town. In fact, I try never to miss attending worship services when I am ashore. And if I can be introduced into St. Augustine society at church, all the better.” He raised one eyebrow the way Jamie did when he was about to tease. “Speaking of social matters, I must tell you that my lieutenant, Mr. Wayland, was quite taken with you. ’Twas all I could do to keep him from following me here this evening. If he asks me as your kinsman for permission to call on you, what shall I tell him?”

“Oh, my.” She could still feel the young officer’s too-firm clasp of her hand and see the overeagerness in his eyes. “You must tell him he would do better to pursue another.” She kept her tone cheerful. “You see, I have vowed never to marry a seafaring man, for I will not live as a widow while I am wed.” The slight dimming of his smile caused her a pang of regret, for she did not intend to disparage Thomas’s profession. Nonetheless, she would not have sailors, even officers, coming to call. Of course, she would not count Thomas among the unwelcome ones, but then, he was her brother-in-law.

“Then I will do all in my power to protect you from such suits.” He looked toward the house and offered Dinah his arm. “Miss Templeton, pray let us put Mr. Hussey at ease.”

She thought she detected a tiny smirk on the captain’s lips, but she dared not surrender to the giggle bubbling up inside her. “And let us escape these mosquitoes as well. This is the time of evening they come out to bother us.” She waved away the insects trying to land on her bare hand. Inside they would be protected by the fine mosquito netting over the windows, an expense even Artemis had been eager to indulge in.

Halfway on their trip to the side door, the captain stopped, serious once again. “Are you well protected in this house, Miss Templeton?”

She blinked in surprise. “Wh-why, yes, Captain.” Her heart warmed at his concern. Every word, every gesture endeared this man to her. Were he not a seafarer, she might even set her cap for him. But that was nonsense. He was a seafarer. And he was practically her brother. And he had made it clear at their first meeting he regarded her a sister. She need not even consider the difference in their ages…or their social ranks.

No, she would put away all such featherbrained thoughts of romance this very instant.

Thomas could not guess what had come over him. Somehow this delightful young woman’s warmth and kindness had brought forth his tenderest emotions, not to mention his protective instincts. Perhaps his familial sentiments, so long submerged beneath his military responsibilities, were resurfacing in light of his imminent meeting with his brother and sister. Whatever the cause, he felt…at home with Dinah Templeton.

And now nothing would do but for him to discover the cause of the tension between the lady and Mr. Hussey. Overdone manners aside, the fellow had not hidden his annoyance with her. But why did she displease him? At first, Thomas had considered that the man might have designs on her. But Mrs. Hussey appeared to be as virtuous as she was attractive, as insightful as she was kindhearted. If the husband desired Dinah, the wife would surely not comport herself with such serenity.

Thomas searched his memory for scraps of conversations he’d had with Jamie Templeton regarding his sister. He could recall only that she had a modest inheritance to sustain her. Ah, perhaps that was the issue. Money. Thomas would not be hasty in his judgments but would watch for confirmation of his suspicions. His first impressions generally proved true. And when he met Hussey, a single line from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar had come to mind: “Yon Cassius has a lean and hungry look.” If Hussey revealed himself to possess the same depth of wily ambition as the scheming Roman Cassius, all the more reason to investigate his treatment of Dinah.

As for the young lady’s assertion that she would not wed a seafarer, Thomas acknowledged her decision was a wise one. As her friend, he wished only for her happiness. Still, the military man within him felt a bit of challenge, a surge of pride, even, that he could conquer that resolve, should he so desire.

Which, of course, he did not. But he was pleased to have a confidant who seemed to understand his situation. He should like to see Dinah well cared for. Even if he couldn’t personally guarantee her happiness, he could not allow her to stay in an unsuitable situation. He would wait and learn what he could and if need be, he would act.

Chapter Five

Seated in St. Peter’s Church, Dinah sensed someone’s gaze on the back of her head, so she opened her prayer book, trying not to look over her shoulder. Her attempt failed. A glance across the aisle and to the rear revealed Mr. Wayland’s bold stare and impudent grin, both of which ceased the instant a frowning captain nudged the young lieutenant with his fist.

Her heart lightened by the captain’s protective gesture, Dinah turned back to face the altar, taking care not to knock loose her wide-brimmed straw hat by bumping into Anne’s smaller chapeau. Anne gave her a smile, then returned her attention to her open Bible.

Dinah tried to refocus on her own prayer book, but the playful invitation in the lieutenant’s expression lingered in her thoughts. Did he have no respect for this place of worship? While other unattached young ladies might find church the perfect place to engage the interests of young gentlemen, Dinah thought the practice bordered on heresy. It was all well and good to introduce Thomas to her friends after the service ended. However, one attended church services to consider God’s mercies and worship Him. Indeed, this was the only place where Dinah ever felt the presence of God.

Pray though she might every day, believe in Him as she did with all her heart, she could never quite attain the serenity Anne had exhibited since they were children. Anne seemed to know God intimately, which surely gave her the grace to endure her marriage and even to love Artemis. For Dinah, God seemed distant, inaccessible, unheeding of her cries, uncaring about the loneliness she had felt all her life. Other than Anne, whom had Dinah ever loved who had not abandoned her?

She shook off her self-pity. Even if God chose not to speak to her, she would still choose to believe in His goodness and serve Him as best she could, just as Anne did. Anne, who sat here without complaint because there was no Friends meeting in St. Augustine. Here in St. Peter’s, the lovely liturgy and insightful sermons bore little resemblance to Nantucket’s quiet, but equally spiritual Quaker meetings, in which no one spoke unless guided by the Inner Light. Yet Anne often said how important it was to meet with other Christians to worship God, whatever form that worship took.

Although Dinah had never felt the Inner Light, she did find joy and comfort in repeating the prayers and singing the songs with the other congregants. Moreover, Reverend Kennedy’s sermons always inspired her. No doubt Thomas would agree with her, for he had expressed sincere eagerness to attend today’s service. Furthermore, when he mentioned the Almighty, he spoke with reverence. Surely he was a pious man. Dinah wondered if he had ever felt an inner light from God…and wondered if it would be poor manners to ask him.

As the service began, Thomas found himself distracted, not to mention infuriated by Wayland’s insolent gaping at Dinah. No matter how lovely she was, he would not permit his officers or crew or anyone else to gawk at her as if they would breach her modesty. In the absence of her brother, and despite the useless presence of that Hussey fellow, Thomas would make certain every man knew she had a kinsman to whom they would answer.

With no small amount of effort, he managed to settle his anger and focus on the collective reading from his prayer book just as Dinah was doing. He wished he could see her face rather than the back of her charming beribboned hat. Her piety set an example for the other young ladies, several of whom had ogled him and his officers from the moment they had entered St. Peter’s.

But alas, as he read the familiar words, his thoughts once again took their own direction. He may as well admit that Dinah drew his interest more than a little. Surely her familial connection and her compassion for his grief caused this longing to spend more time with her. And perhaps he could offer advice or solace for the sorrow he had seen in her eyes several times the other evening. Was that not the purpose of families?

Had he not been in church, he would have snorted in derision at his own thoughts. If his family were taken as an example, then blood bonds were often the cause of more pain than healing. Yet he longed to heal his relatives’ griefs, longed to see to their needs just as he did for his crew. Indeed, after tending to several issues yesterday—letters to his crew’s families gathered for the next ship to London, injuries and illnesses, wages paid to all, admonishments given to the men of weaker character to avoid drunkenness—Thomas could rest assured he had done his duty by those who served under him.

Duty. It was what he lived for, his purpose for being. And in addition to his crew, he performed his duty to his king and, long before that, to his father, who had impressed upon him the obligations of the nobility and their offspring. But what was his duty to Dinah?

Just as Reverend Kennedy stood to begin his sermon, Thomas lifted a silent prayer that he would know how to serve the young lady. Such a delightful, capable creature should be married, should be mistress of her own home. He had heard that few marriageable ladies lived in St. Augustine compared to the many unmarried men, and so surely she had received offers. But perhaps there was a dearth of eligible Christian men in the city. Clearly her heart was not engaged, yet she seemed to have no objections to marriage, except to a seafarer. Perhaps the Almighty would have Thomas interview potential suitors. Somehow the idea settled like lead in his mind. More to his liking would be to warn off any man who cast a glance in her direction.

As the minister and deacons made their way up the aisle at the close of the service, Dinah gripped the back of the bench in front of her to keep from turning around to look for Thomas. She would not, simply must not seek his company, for such behavior would be inappropriate.

But even before the front pews emptied, Artemis shoved his way into the crowd. “Come along, Mrs. Hussey.” He glanced at Dinah and gave a quick jerk of his head. “Come along.” Almost dragging poor Anne, he made his way toward the captain, who had already been surrounded by people clamoring for his attention.

Even Governor Tonyn approached the group of naval officers, and when people noticed, the way parted before him. Artemis almost jumped out of the governor’s path, and Dinah bit her lip to keep from laughing. Thomas must have noticed as well, for he caught Dinah’s gaze, his eyes twinkled, and he lifted one eyebrow. She gave him a tiny nod, then moved along the edge of the mob toward the door.

Standing inside the open front doors, Reverend Kennedy smiled warmly. “Good morning, Miss Templeton.”

“Good morning, Reverend. Thank you for your lovely sermon. I was deeply moved.” She curtseyed, then moved on to make way for others. Indeed, the sermon had been quite inspirational, and she longed to discuss the minister’s words with someone who understood how it had touched her emotions.

Outside on St. George Street, she blinked in the bright sunlight and tugged at her hat brim to shield her eyes. Surprised to see that few parishioners had emerged, she attributed the phenomenon to the appeal of the captain and his officers. She glanced up at the clock on the spire of St. Peter’s. Almost noon. Her stomach responded to that information with a tiny growl.

Soldiers from the fort eyed her and made remarks among themselves, so she stared down the street toward the Parade, hoping they would not approach. It was one thing to minister to these men when they were sick, but another thing altogether when they were hale and hardy and attempted to gain her interest. Soon her concerns about the matter ended when people began to pour from St. Peter’s and go their separate ways.

“Dinah.” Elizabeth Markham approached and touched her arm. “Why did you not join the rest of us in meeting Captain Moberly…and his very handsome lieutenant, Mr. Wayland?”

The wistful look in Elizabeth’s eyes gave Dinah a laugh. Perhaps those two would be a good match. That is, if Mr. Wayland’s bold stares had simply meant he had been at sea too long, not that he lacked Christian character.

“I have already met the gentlemen, Elizabeth.” She looped her arm around her friend’s. “The other day when we saw them walking down St. George Street, I had no idea the captain is none other than my brother-in-law.”

Elizabeth gasped and then laughed. “Why, of course. Captain Moberly. I should have realized when I heard his name.” She gave Dinah a sly smile. “Are there not several marriages between your two families?”

Dinah released Elizabeth’s arm. “Yes, and those marriages are quite sufficient to join us as family.”

Elizabeth smirked. “Of course. Well then, if Mr. Wayland proves uninteresting, perhaps I shall set my cap for the captain.”

An odd annoyance cut through Dinah. How could anyone find that impertinent lieutenant superior to Thomas? But if she voiced the thought to Elizabeth, she would never hear the end of it. “Do enjoy yourself, my dear.”

“Hmph. Just because you do not wish to marry a man of the sea.” Elizabeth’s pout was short-lived. “Oh, but won’t it be grand to dance with these fine officers at the governor’s ball?”

Dinah’s heart skipped. “A ball? Oh, my. When? And what on earth inspired Governor Tonyn to this frivolity? Why, he despises such merrymaking.” She could hardly contain her astonishment…and her excitement. “Tell me everything you know.”

Elizabeth giggled. “There, you see. You are not as indifferent to the gentlemen as you pretend.” She punctuated her words with a smirk. “As to the governor, well, I am of the opinion that he is impressed by the fact that Captain Moberly is the son of Lord Bennington. In his political world, such an august person surely must be entertained.” She glanced toward the people emerging from the church, then leaned toward Dinah in a confiding manner. “The ball is to be held this Friday evening to officially honor the arrival of HMS Dauntless. Only specially invited guests may attend, and my parents and I are among them. Mamá told me about it the day before yesterday, and I have been begging for a new gown since then. But she says my old one will do because none of the Dauntless crew has seen it.” She paused, and puzzlement crinkled her smooth forehead. “Did you not receive an invitation?”

“Ah, there you are, Miss Templeton.” Thomas approached, looking a bit harried with his eyes wide and his lips in a thin smile. “I feared you had already left.” People clustered behind him as if seeking his attention, but he focused on Dinah.

Her feelings in riot and confusion, Dinah dipped an unsteady curtsey and forced a smile. “Good morning, Captain.” Surely if he was concerned about the possibility of not seeing her this morning, this oversight about an invitation could not be his doing. “I believe you have met my good friend, Miss Markham.”

“Indeed we have just met inside.” He swept off his bicorne hat and greeted Elizabeth with an elegant bow. “Miss Markham.”

“Captain—” Elizabeth lifted her chin “—I should not wish to scold you, but the omission of your kinswoman from the list of those invited to the ball in your honor is beyond—”

“What?” Thomas stared at Dinah, his eyebrows rising sharply. “Of course you were invited. I gave your name to Governor Tonyn’s secretary.” Now those strong black eyebrows bent into a stormy frown. “I shall investigate the matter and see it set to right. In fact, I shall escort you to the event myself.” He blinked, as if surprised by his own words.

The crowd buzzed and hummed around them, but Dinah could not discern their words. A wave of heat began to surge up her neck and she quickly inhaled to stop it. She had never blushed in her life and would not begin to do so now.

“I thank you, my good kinsman.” She raised her voice slightly for the benefit of their audience. “Now, if you will excuse me…” A quick glance down the lane revealed Anne and Artemis well on their way home.

Thomas followed her gaze, and his frown deepened. “My dear sister-in-law, may I escort you home? I should like to speak to Mr. Hussey on a matter of some importance.”

He offered his arm, and Dinah set her gloved hand on his forearm, grateful for his gesture and for his familial address. That should prevent gossip. Or so she hoped.

They took their leave of Elizabeth, and the crowd dispersed, as if understanding they had been dismissed.

And now Dinah had only to contend with her giddy heart, which seemed to have a mind of its own regarding Thomas Moberly.

Chapter Six

As Thomas escorted Dinah away from the throng, his emotions warred within him. That Hussey fellow deserved a good thrashing for leaving a young lady to see herself home. Yet Thomas could not deny he welcomed the opportunity to serve in that capacity himself…not to mention he was relieved to escape the crowd of churchgoers who behaved as if they had never before seen an officer in His Majesty’s navy. An oddity, to be sure, since he understood that the two other frigate captains and their officers also frequented St. Peter’s. Today, their ships were on patrol, as his would be in another week.

Thomas wondered whether the gaggle of matchmaking mothers had pushed forth their daughters for introductions to the other captains. Whether gentlemen clamored for their attention and promised all sorts of diversions from hunting to billiards. What madness! It was all he could do not to laugh out loud at these colonials. While he might be admired in London Society, at least the ladies there exhibited a bit more decorum.