Page 47 of A Castaway in Cornwall
Eseld nodded. “Miss Roskilly just told me.”
“Where was he found?”
“Near Pentire Point—beyond the Rumps.”
“So far?”
Again Eseld nodded. “Come, there’s Kayna, no doubt retelling the story to Treeve. She dearly loves an audience.”
She took Laura’s arm and pulled her through the crowd to join them. “Pardon us, but Laura would like to hear as well.”
“Good evening, Miss Callaway,” Kayna Roskilly said coolly, and continued her story. “As I was telling Mr. Kent, the man made his escape by strapping himself into one of theKittiwake’slifeboats.”
“Why are we only hearing of a second survivor now?” Laura asked.
“He landed in a secluded cove that was too steep to climb out of. Tom Parsons was out in his lugger and found him sleeping under the overturned boat. He brought him to our house.”
Tom Parsons?Laura was surprised the wrecker would help anyone.
Perhaps noticing her dubious expression, Kayna added, “Father gave Tom a generous reward, then fetched Perran Kent tohave a look at the survivor. He declared the man bruised and thirsty but otherwise remarkably hale.”
Eseld looked around those gathered. “Where is Perry, by the way?”
“Fern Haven, I believe,” Treeve replied. “Said something about removing stitches.”
“What is the man’s name?” Laura asked.
“François LaRoche,” Miss Roskilly said, then held up an index finger. “Before you jump to conclusions, let me explain. Yes, he is French. But he is anémigréliving here legally. You know how many aristocrats fled here to avoid the guillotine during the Terror in France. Even today, Britain harbours many French citizens guilty of nothing more than being titled or wealthy.”
“And which is he?” Eseld asked, all hopefulness.
Kayna fluttered her dark lashes. “Both, I imagine, though it would be unladylike to pry.” She and Eseld shared a smile.
Doubt creased Treeve’s face. “Has he any papers to verify his claim?”
Kayna shook her head. “Lost in the shipwreck, sadly, along with his other possessions.”
“How ... inconvenient.” Treeve looked at Laura. “Perhaps your Mr. Lucas might vouch for him? Might they know one another? Have met on the ship?”
Laura hesitated. “It is ... possible.”
“I did mention to him that there was another survivor,” Miss Roskilly said. “But he was too exhausted to take much notice.”
“Is he handsome?” Eseld asked, eyes sparkling.
Kayna Roskilly responded with a coy, closed-lip grin. “Rather handsome, yes. But perhaps you would like to judge for yourselves. Would you like to meet him?”
Eseld glanced at Laura. “Yes, of course we would!” she answered for them both.
“Then come to our house on Saturday, say, three o’clock?”
Laura wished she could speak to Mr. Lucas before agreeing, to hear his response to the news and see if he might want to go along.
But Eseld squeezed her arm and hissed in her ear, “Don’t spoil this for me. I long to become closer friends with her.”
Laura curtsied. “Thank you. We would be delighted to come.”
While Eseld and Miss Roskilly continued to chat, Treeve walked Laura out to the Brays’ carriage, his eyes glinting with mischief. “I would be happy to take you to Pentire House so you can interrogate therather handsomeFrenchman in style.”
