Especially love.
The door creaked open nearby and he turned, expecting Admiral Templeton to have come to end this awkward conversation. However, three servants bearing loaded trays moved about in the adjoining room and began laying a table with silverware and fine white linen. There was no sign of the admiral, so he resumed his seat.
“Thank you, Swift,” His grace called as the servants bowed. When they were gone, the duke speared him with a hard glance. “Captain, I do not normally eat with the family at this hour. They fuss. But I would have you join me.”
Dining with the duke had not crossed his mind, but he could not refuse. It was a great honor that Jennings would undoubtedly laugh uproariously over later if he were still sober. And Felix was starved. He had not eaten since yesterday, moments before he had thrown himself into the carriage to reach this meeting place. Hunger or not, generous offer or not, he would have to keep his wits about him still. “It would be a privilege.”
The duke stood, collecting two canes for support as he shambled across the carpeted floor. That was new. The movement appeared to pain him, and the man noticed Felix watching. “Wounds from my own stupidity years ago have begun to plague me. No doubt when you reach my age, your bones will ache like the devil too when a change of the weather is coming.”
“I have a midshipman on board whose predictions are accurate enough to set my sails by.” He waited until the duke sat, allowed the servants to fuss over him, and surveyed the meal they uncovered. Steak and eggs; pie too. Plus a great many dishes Felix had not sampled since he had become a captain. A meal fit for a king, or a member of the Duke of Rutherford’s large family. He saw a coffeepot and smiled as his cup was filled with the strong, rich liquid.
The footmen then served him a large portion of everything and stepped back to wait in the shadows. Felix followed the duke’s example to eat in silence, ignoring the tension of being under scrutiny of one who would judge him by his manners at table and probably find them lacking. It had been a long time since he had eaten in exalted company.
Months since he had been ashore.
When the plates were eventually cleared away and the footmen had returned to their other duties, the duke patted his stomach. “I like a man who values peace.”
“I have been at war my whole life.” He chuckled, finding Rutherford not as intimidating as he’d first feared he would be. Rutherford had good reason to be angry with him once. Felix had supposedly broken Sally Ford’s heart, and the duke was fiercely fond of his family. Perhaps he had mellowed as his age had increased. “I would not know what to do with peace.”
“Peace will come, sir, and you should be ready.” The duke’s stare pinned him in place. “It is only a matter of time before that bloody French prig is given his due, and then what will become of you?”
“Defeating Napoleon and France has been my mission for all the days of my service. I can barely imagine a time without war, and until the day comes when I can pass a Frenchman without being fired upon, I will keep up my guard.”
“Very wise, Captain.” The duke nodded. “But you must prepare for change.”
He frowned at that. Why talk of peace when he had come to speak of war with the admiral? “Yes, Your Grace.”
“Now, on to the business at hand. My son begged my leave today as he is engaged in another urgent matter,” the duke said. “The family, what there is of it at home, has gathered for the spring, and his attention has been diverted by the excitement of his guests.”
The admiral would not see him now? What the devil? He clenched his jaw at the delay that would keep him at Newberry longer than he liked. The messenger had claimed his presence was urgently required. That was the reason he had packed in a rush and departed London with all possible haste. “I am sorry to hear it. When will he see me?”
“Not until tomorrow, or the next day at the latest. He did not say exactly when, but I expect he will explain himself in good time.”
“Tomorrow or the day after?” Damn this nonsense. “Forgive me, Your Grace, but I am needed for the war. My men and my ship are sitting idly at anchor.”
“I know exactly what you are needed for and not needed for at this time, sir,” the duke barked, as if delaying his return to his command made not the slightest scrap of difference in his opinion. “A room has been prepared. Morgan will arrange a man to attend you. Do make yourself at home, Captain Hastings.”
To anyone else the invitation to stay at the ducal residence would be a boon to a career, but to Felix it was likely to be torture. He did not want to stay here, but he owed this man his ship. “Your Grace, I should not like to intrude on a family gathering. There seemed a serviceable inn a short distance away. I would be very happy to wait there until the admiral has time to see me.”
The duke stared at him harder than ever. “Resign yourself to your visit, Captain.”
“Yes, of course.” He had to wonder why the duke insisted he stay, and stay within these walls, while he waited.
The duke smiled warmly all of a sudden. “You would not want to miss the opportunity of renewing your acquaintance with the family.”
The duke’s family was large and of all ages. He knew the part that belonged to the navy well, and the rest he knew to avoid socially if he could. That was the bargain he had made with the duke, and he intended to keep up his end.
His sole regret was that if he was here, Lady Sally Ford, the woman he had almost married six years ago, was undoubtedly elsewhere in the country—perhaps enjoying the delights of London.
Meeting his former intended would be awkward indeed since he had it on good authority that she hated the very mention of his name.
The admiral gestured with his cane. “Pull that bell over there.”
He tugged twice, reining in his frustration as best he could. He would wait. He had no choice in the matter apparently. At least he had managed to leave orders for repairs to keep the men occupied while they were at anchor. His second-in-command would keep the men in line well enough until he returned. And when he could return to London, he would act quickly to assist Jennings in reclaiming a command before he sailed again.
Morgan appeared very quickly. “How might I serve?”
“Escort Captain Hastings to his chambers and assign him a servant for the duration of his visit. And find out where my granddaughter has gotten to. Sally should have been here to greet the captain.”