“Weather the storm. Have the officers dunk me over the side in the bosun’s chair on occasion. I pretend I need to bathe or deliberately lose a bet.”
“Yes,” the duke said then pursed his lips a moment. “I recall Laurence mentioning such a lark in one of his first letters under your command. I thought it highly foolish of you at the time and sure to lead to unrest, but my grandson says the crew respects you all the more. Next time we will toss you into the sea, although I hate to think how Sally will complain about the treatment.”
“Time for me to depart befo
re this gets overly dramatic,” Jennings asserted suddenly, collecting his hat from a side table. “I will see you at the village, Hastings, when you are able to escape this lot.”
Felix waited until Jennings was gone before he faced the duke. “Why would Sally care?”
The duke sipped his coffee and then added more sugar. “What do you remember of the past few days?”
“Speaking with you, here, with Lady Penelope taking notes. Maitland’s valet and Captain Jennings arguing in the adjoining room about the length of his hair as it was being cut. I first thought I dreamed that altercation. My memories during my illness are often jumbled about.”
“Jennings had the look of a scoundrel about him on his arrival,” the duke remarked indignantly.
He had indeed. “Then waking up alone this morning as Rodmell laid out my uniform.”
The duke grunted. “There are some things that should be remembered. Think about the time you have lost again, Captain. Harder.”
He had dreamed of Sally, but he could not imagine her bent over his sickbed. Not after he had told her to never come near him again after arguing. Her cool fingers had slipped over his skin in the dream, enthralling him as she stripped off his clothes. She had begged him not to leave her in his dreams.
Her family should not have allowed it, and yet they had been there too.
He glanced at the duke sharply, fearing he remembered not a dream but Sally actually at his bedside. Her cold fingers had slipped between his lips with ice in the dream, and she had told him not to die. Damn, but she was a confusing wench. Had she been in his room and the duke knew about it? “I hope I have not caused problems.”
“Eat.” Rutherford pointed to Felix’s plate with his knife. “I have no more questions for you today, but I do have a favor to ask if you are well enough for a short journey.”
“Anything. I am entirely myself again.”
“Good.” The duke drained his coffee. “My granddaughter acts as my emissary about the estate. I would like you to accompany her on a visit she must make today, but only if you feel up to it.”
“Alone?”
“No, of course not alone. She normally takes a pair of servants with her, but I would like someone with a presence that can intimidate. Ensure she remains safe from harm and discourtesy and you will have my thanks.” He gestured to the world outside. “Morgan heard whispers of dissent among the tenants. With my eldest son and grandsons gone so often and so long, it appears some feel courtesy for a nobleman’s granddaughter is optional. She wants to call upon the wife of a somewhat difficult tenant.”
“I see.” The thought of Sally facing open disrespect did not sit well with him. There was no question he would go and protect her, but he had not exactly come prepared to be an armed guard. “I have only one pistol with me.”
“That cabinet there behind you will have everything you might need.”
Felix rose at the duke’s urging and surveyed the small arsenal inside.
“Be impressive, Captain,” the duke advised.
“Impressive?” Felix took a sword, second pistol, and sufficient shot for the weapon. After a second thought, he took a sheathed dagger to wear at his waist, hoping he would never need to use any of them. He held his arms out wide as he faced the duke. “Will this suffice?”
“Splendid. You appear quite bloodthirsty.” The duke chose another slice of ham to add to his plate. “I am trusting you with my granddaughter, Felix. Do not disappoint me.”
He frowned when the duke used his first name again, something he had never done before today in their conversations. “I would not dream of it.”
“Oh, and one more thing. Whatever you do, do not tell Sally why you are armed to the teeth. She will only deny there is any danger to be found at home.”
Felix shook his head. “She is a Ford. She is not afraid of anything.”
“No. Not even a little scandalous undressing of an incoherent captain.” The duke raised a brow. “I have to wonder where she learned so much about unfastening male attire when until recently she has kept all men at arm’s length.”
Felix cursed under his breath. No wonder the duke was in an odd mood today. “She should not have done that.”
“No, she should not have. But she did so after ordering me out and with hardly a blush to her cheeks. Rather interesting, don’t you think?”