Page 32 of Catching Captain Nash
“You love the navy.”
“Loved. When I was a boy, it seemed the path to adventure and renown. But it’s a young man’s game. There are other adventures.”
“You served your country, saw the world, made the seas safer, and had a wonderful time,” she said slowly. “Don’t let your captivity destroy your pride in your achievements.”
“Oh, it won’t. But I’m devilish glad the navy accepted my resignation today.”
“So they really are finished with you?” For herself, she’d be delighted if he never set foot on anything that floated for the rest of his life. She wanted him close by and safe. But she was wise enough to know that only he could decide whether his soul had had enough of voyaging.
Robert gave an unamused grunt and looked out the window at the countryside wearing red and gold for autumn. “If only. They’ve granted me two months’ leave to recover, then I suspect I’ll be up to my neck in reports and committees and interviews. I’ve come back with valuable intelligence, for all that I spent most of my exile sitting on my arse in a prison cell.”
“Your information might help to defeat the pirates.”
“My report will probably end up in a dusty file nobody looks at.” This cynicism was new. The man she’d married had been unashamedly patriotic and idealistic.
“I don’t care,” she said emphatically. “You did your duty. And I’m proud of you.”
He looked startled and sat up straighter. “By God, are you?”
“Of course. And your daughter is convinced her father is the greatest navy man since Nelson.” She gave a shaky smile. “In fact, I don’t think Nelson gets a look-in.”
“She’s biased.” He looked touched and charmingly diffident. “So, my dear, are you.”
“Perhaps,” she admitted sheepishly, although she meant every word. “Do you mind?”
He sat back and folded his arms. “That my beautiful wife is inclined to admire me? Not in the slightest.”
It was her turn to look startled. “I’m glad you still think I’m beautiful.”
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
“Well, I haven’t had a lot of competition in recent years,” she said drily, even as she basked in his compliment.
She wanted him to find her beautiful. She wanted him to have eyes for nobody else.
He shrugged. “It wouldn’t matter. No other woman can hold a candle to you.”
How silly to blush like an ingénue. “I think you might be biased, too.”
He arched his eyebrows at her. “Not at all. This is a matter of fact.”
And as they rolled into the large coaching inn and the ostlers darted forward to change the horses, Morwenna realized with a shock that her tragic, damaged, troubled husband had just teased her.
Chapter Eleven
Robert returned to the coach and sat with his back to the horses. He and Morwenna had snatched a quick meal in the inn’s private parlor while a new team was harnessed, but neither had been inclined to linger.
“I should send ahead to reserve rooms at the next change,” he said, stretching out his long legs in the space between the seats.
“We’ll find somewhere when we’re tired.” Morwenna looked untroubled. In fact, instead of complaining about the inconvenience of their swift departure, she’d looked increasingly happy as they’d covered the miles toward Leicestershire.
She’d always been a champion girl, ready for adventure. He’d thought her the model of a naval wife. He suspected she’d be equally adept playing the gentleman farmer’s lady, too.
He realized he hadn’t yet told her about his discussion with Silas. “Silas has offered us the tenancy at Belleville.”
Morwenna frowned in thought. “Is that his manor in Devon?”
“Yes. The last tenants have left it in a bit of a state, apparently.”
