Page 85 of A Castaway in Cornwall
“Thank you, Perran.”
Offering his arm, Perry led Eseld into the house, and Laura and her uncle started back toward Fern Haven.
“I am sorry, Uncle Matthew,” Laura said. “I know you have your heart set on restoring St. Enodoc.”
He nodded again but said little, clearly distracted and disheartened by the setback.
She decided not to add to his woes by sharing what had happened in Padstow, nor what she had learned about their guest.
When they returned to Fern Haven, Laura helped her uncle with the horse, and then the two walked into the house together. He went into the parlour to speak to his wife, while Laura went upstairs. She planned to walk over to Miss Chegwin’s but firstwent up to her room for a small coin purse to give to Alexander. Seeing a man sitting in the passage outside her room, she jumped, then whispered, “What are you doing here?”
Alexander rose, a vulnerable smile on his lips. “Not the greeting I hoped for.”
“You shouldn’t be here. The militia are looking for you and will soon come here again. They’re questioning Monsieur LaRoche now.”
She told him about the encounter outside the custom house.
He stepped nearer, searching her face in concern. “Are you all right?”
“Yes. Shaken but well.”
“Good.” He pressed her hands, then his eyes hardened. “That man ... he will be the death of me yet.”
Alexander took a deep breath and drew back his broad shoulders. “Any progress in finding a ship to take me across the Channel?”
“Not yet. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t you dare be sorry,ma chère. I should never have asked it of you.”
“I will try, but in the meantime, this should help.” She extended the money from the sale of the jeweled salamander. He’d been right; it was worth a good deal.
He shook his head. “No, Miss Callaway. I cannot accept it, but thank you.”
The sound of distant men’s voices came from outside. Laura looked out a dormer window and saw figures with lanterns approaching—two in uniform and a third man. LaRoche?
“Shh. They’re coming!” She pressed a finger to her lips, then turned him by the shoulder. “Go out the back again. Run. Hide. If you are captured, you will be sent back to prison or even shot.”
His mouth tightened. “I don’t like to run like a frightened rabbit searching for a burrow to hide in.”
“I know,” she said. “But remember, if you are caught, you won’t get home to your brother.”
He winced, then sighed. “So be it. For Alan and his family, I will go.”
He started toward the stairs, then turned back. “I have to tell you something before I leave.”
“What is i—”
He pressed his lips to hers, silencing her with his mouth.
For a moment she stilled in surprise, then kissed him back, wishing it were not a kiss good-bye.
He broke away and smiled into her eyes. “That is what I had to tell you.”
She managed a wobbly grin. “I am glad to hear it.” Quickly sobering, she all but pushed him toward the stairs. “Now go.”
He slipped quietly down them and out the back door as two militia officers and LaRoche came through the front gate.
Laura paused where she stood. Alexander saying the wordburrowbelatedly gave her an idea of where he might hide. Grabbing her cape and gloves, she hurried out after him, catching up with him in the back garden.
