Page 89 of A Castaway in Cornwall
Kayna said, “You know she initially admired Treeve, while he clearly admired you. I was able to show her the error of herways and the futility of pining for him. Now that you have made your interest in another so plain, hopefully Treeve can be swayed in time as well.”
“I don’t want Treeve,” Laura insisted. “I never have.”
“I know you don’t. Why do you think he wants to win you over? Men are so proud. Can’t stand it when a woman doesn’t think they’re God’s gift. That was the mistake I made—letting Treeve know I admired him. So he has given up the chase, unless it is the chase for my dowry.” She sighed.
“And Monsieur LaRoche?”
A frown flickered over her pretty face. “I admit I briefly admired him—the mysterious Frenchman under my own roof. Surely you can understand that. He can be charming when he wishes to be, when he wants something. But refuse him, and you see the real man. The selfish, scheming, dangerous man.”
“You were very brave tonight, the way you spoke to him.”
She shrugged. “He was being escorted by armed militia. I had nothing to fear at the time.”
“And now?”
“And now ... let us hope the officers take my advice and keep him under lock and key.” A tremor passed over the slight woman.
Laura pressed her hand. “How can I help?”
Miss Roskilly held her gaze with intense, glittering eyes. “You can help by taking your French captain and leaving this place. François will continue to pursue him, and hopefully, we will have seen the last of him here.”
“You think I should leave with a man I barely know? Leave my uncle and just ... run off with him in secret?”
The woman shrugged. “Come. I saw him kiss you on the roof. Besides, you have made no secret of wishing to be anywhere but here since you arrived. Why do you think you were never fully accepted? Well, now you have your chance.”
Was it true? Had her own disdain of the place and its people been the real reason she’d never belonged? Laura swallowed a hard lump, then said, “No one is going anywhere until we find a ship to take Alexander across the Channel.”
“Then you need look no further than Treeve Kent.”
“Treeve?”
Kayna nodded. “I had been curious about his clandestine nighttime activities, so I had our manservant follow him. I feared he might have a lover in Padstow. He does in a sense. Her name is theMerry Mary.”
Laura blinked in surprise.
“If you hurry, you can probably find him at the Fourways Inn with his new friends.”
Mrs. Bray came stalking out of her husband’s study. “Laura...” Seeing Kayna, she hesitated and greeted her politely. “Good evening, Miss Roskilly. Welcome. May I have a private word with Miss Callaway?”
“Of course.” The young woman joined Eseld and Perry in the parlour, while Mrs. Bray led Laura into the study and shut the door. Uncle Matthew sat there, looking ill at ease.
Mrs. Bray hissed, “The militia were here again. I told you they’d be back. They had the other survivor with them. The Frenchman. He told us that your ‘Mr. Lucas’ is in fact a French naval captain. An enemy officer! Did you know it?”
Laura shifted awkwardly, feeling guilty for keeping her suspicions to herself. “I have wondered where he came from but knew nothing for certain....”
Kindhearted Uncle Matthew said, “We still don’t know that he meant any harm.”
Mrs. Bray ignored him, keeping her gaze on Laura, eyes snapping with anger. “You brought that man into my house. I never wanted him here. If he endangers us all, it will be on your head.”
Uncle Matthew tried to intervene. “My dear, please...”
But Mrs. Bray held her ground, pinning Laura with a hard stare. “Do you hear me?”
Feeling ill, Laura nodded and turned to go. “Yes, I understand.”
Laura walked over to Brea Cottage to ask a favor. With Miss Chegwin’s approval, Jago accompanied Laura on her errand to St. Minver, driving her in the donkey cart.
When they reached the Fourways Inn a short while later, Jago tied the reins and walked around the cart. As he helped her down, Laura saw Treeve Kent coming out with a few men she did not recognize.
