Page 26 of The Captain's Midwinter Bride
“My darling girl, you are worth so much more than what Mr. Newell is giving you. Do you not see it?”
Before Beth could answer, a voice interrupted from the doorframe. “Is something wrong?”
Phillip stood within the frame, looking tall and handsome. And in his simple black coat, white shirt with a black cravat, dark green waistcoat, and black trousers, he looked severe and more than a little imposing. But Annalise knew his austere demeanor was a shell surrounding the thoughtful man he tried to hide. He’d shown her again, just that morning, how tender and passionate he could be.
She fought back a blush when he met her gaze, and although his expression changed not one whit, she sensed him soften when he looked at her.
Beth, in contrast, straightened her spine at her father’s words, and quickly brushed at her cheeks.
Realizing her daughter had once again gone silent, Annalise smothered a sigh. She wasn’t sure what to do. It was obvious Beth was apprehensive about disclosing the topic of their discussion to her father, but it occurred to Annalise that Phillip’s perspective might be helpful.
A certain sadness lurked about the lines fanning from the corners of his eyes as he considered Beth, and her heart broke just a little. Here stood a man who so fiercely wanted to be a part of his daughter’s life and had not yet been granted entrance to the inner sanctum. Perhaps his assistance with this matter would finally allow him to do that.
With one final look at Beth, Annalise beckoned Phillip closer with a jerk of her head. “Beth is telling me about issues she’s encountered with Mr. Newell.”
His brows arched for only a second before they relaxed back into his usual placid expression, but she noticed the uncharacteristic show of surprise. Easing onto the chair at her vanity with easy grace for a man so large, he studied their daughter.
“Why don’t tell me about these issues, poppet? Perhaps I can help.”
“I don’t see how you could. I don’t even know how to help myself.” Beth dropped her head, her voice hoarse with unshed tears.
Bracing his elbows on his knees, he leaned toward her. The movement seemed to draw Beth’s attention, for she glanced up at him.
“I may not be able to do anything specific to help, but I’ve found that sometimes talking through a problem helps me to see it from different angles. Also, sharing my troubles may allow another person to consider the situation from a perspective that has eluded me.” His lips tipped up, and Beth’s did the same in response. “And sometimes it simply helps to vent, do you not agree?”
Beth stared at him for a long moment before she nodded. Toying with the sash about her waist, she whispered, “Mrs. Newell has insulted me on several occasions, and Mr. Newell has done nothing to defend me from her comments.”
“Oh.” That was all Phillip said before he flexed his jaw.
Annalise suspected he was working to contain his anger at the older woman and possibly attempting to formulate a reply that did not contain curse words and threats of bodily harm for Mr. Newell.
Clearing his throat, Phillip visibly relaxed his shoulders. “I think it may be best for you to start at the beginning and tell me how you met Mr. Newell in the first place. I confess I do not know the story.”
A surge of relief coursed through Annalise at Phillip’s approach. He was attentive yet gentle, and it appeared to soothe Beth’s skittishness toward him.
Spreading her hands over her skirts, the girl sighed. “I met him at a gathering at the assembly room. He had been living in London but returned to Bristol when his father became gravely ill. After the elder Mr. Newell passed away, Silas stayed to be of comfort and assistance to his mother.”
“An admirable gesture, I’m sure,” Phillip murmured.
“I thought so,” Beth agreed. “Several of my friends were quite taken with him and hoped to make a good impression.”
“But what about you?” Phillip cocked his head to the side. “What did you think about him?”
Shifting, Beth’s cheeks flushed a rosy shade. “I…I don’t remember thinking anything.”
Annalise pressed her lips together as she met her husband’s eyes. Somehow that simple confession explained so much. Her tender-hearted daughter had been pining for Henry Ramsgate, the young man who had departed for London and never returned. How could she possibly notice Mr. Newell when her attention andher heartwere diverted elsewhere?
“I’m sure that’s perfectly understandable. At a crush, it would be easy to miss your best friend if you weren’t looking for her.” He hesitated for just a moment, his gaze darting to Annalise for a brief moment before looking away again. “I still count it a lucky day when I noticed your mother at a gathering held at the assembly room.”
Beth’s eyes went wide. “I didn’t know you met Mama at the assembly room.”
“I didn’t say I met her there. I said I noticed her there.” Phillip knotted his hands in his lap. “There’s a difference.”
“When did you see me at the assembly room?” Annalise asked, heat creeping up her back. Surely, she would have remembered him. Wouldn’t she?
Phillip brushed imaginary lint off his breeches. “I was on leave. My first leave since my father bought me a commission, and I agreed to accompany him and Charles to the ball, only because he made me feel guilty for not attending. I was sipping gin out of a flask when I saw you. You were laughing. A sound that reminded me of a sunshine after a long, dreary rainstorm. I, of course, remembered you from years earlier—as if I could ever forget—but I wasn’t sure you would remember me. You were surrounded by several gentlemen and looked so diverted.”
Her mouth gaped and it took Annalise a moment to close it. “You saw me and did not say anything?”
