Page 88 of A Castaway in Cornwall
“Ah, Miss Roskilly,” Eseld began. “There you are. We wondered where you got to.” Eseld clearly relished her acting debut.
Miss Roskilly looked from person to person, no doubt thinking quickly. “And here are my friends now.” She gestured toward the trio, then explained to them, “I heard voices in the churchyard and walked over to investigate. These men were looking for a way in, but naturally I told them there isn’t one.”
“Well, there is—” Perry began, but Laura silenced him with a quick elbow to the side. He might be a learned doctor, but his ability to read female cues was certainly lacking.
“Well, there it is,” Eseld finished for him, smiling from man to man. Laura was glad at the moment for her cousin’s feminine appeal. She really had the most charming smile.
The taller officer smiled back, while the other remained aloof. LaRoche scowled.
The stern shorter officer asked, “Did you see a Frenchman—a Captain Carnell—out here somewhere? We thought he’d be with Miss Callaway there.” The officer nodded toward Laura.
“Miss Callaway is with us,” Eseld said, sliding a protective arm around her.
The shorter officer frowned at Miss Roskilly. “I thought you saidtwofriends.”
“Well, yes, but I didn’t want to mention the gentleman. I wouldn’t malign my friends’ reputations for the world.” Kaynaspoke imperiously, as though greatly insulted, and Laura realized she was the best actress of them all, and more intelligent than Laura had credited.
LaRoche spoke up, disgust on his face. “They are all in on it together. It’s obvious. Where did you hide him? Must we search each of your houses?”
“You gallant officers are welcome to visit, of course,” Kayna said. “But do not bringthatman.” She pointed at François. “And don’t trust anything he says. We took him in after he was shipwrecked, and how does he repay us? By stealing from us and seducing my lady’s maid.”
François smirked. “Jealous? Angry I turned my attentions to your French maid, once I realized what a cold witch you are?”
“Whatever the reason, I can only be grateful you left our home. Don’t come back.”
“What did he steal?” the officer asked.
“Nothing,” François insisted.
“Liar. He stole the money we’d raised at the charity ball and a pair of garnet earrings my maid had taken to clean. Perhaps more. My father is meeting with the constable now. In the meantime, I would lock him up and search him if I were you. Take him to Bodmin Gaol and save yourself the trouble of recapturing him for arrest.”
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,Laura thought.She was certainly grateful for the brave young woman’s assistance, but she hoped LaRoche would not take revenge for her sharp tongue.
The Frenchman said, “If anyone is a thief, it is Captain Carnell, the man who calls himself Alexander Lucas. He stole my papers. Probably stole your money as well.”
One of the officers asked Miss Roskilly, “Have you seen this Captain Carnell?”
The young woman shrugged. “I have seen him once or twice during his stay, but not recently. Nor do I know where he might be bound. Perhaps Padstow? I honestly don’t know his plans. I doubt any of us do.”
She looked at the trio, who all dutifully shook their heads.
“Look around you,” the young woman added. “There are not many places to hide out here, except perhaps the sexton’s shed. Busy Padstow would be a far better place to conceal oneself.”
Laura almost wished she would not keep mentioning Padstow. For if Laura was successful in finding a ship to take Alex away, it would most likely be harboured there.
“We had better be heading back,” Miss Roskilly said. She took Laura’s arm companionably and started the walk back to Fern Haven. Perry and Eseld followed.
The officers made no protest as they left. Laura looked back and saw that one man kept a gun trained on LaRoche while the other searched the shed.
Laura wasn’t sure the officers believed their protestations of ignorance, but she knew for certain François LaRoche had not.
When they reached Fern Haven, Eseld and Perry continued into the parlour, but Laura talked quietly to Miss Roskilly in the passage.
“Thank you. I don’t know why you helped us, but thank you.”
“Do you not?” Her dark eyes glinted. “That is easy. I have always had a soft spot for true love. Just look at how I maneuvered Perry and Eseld into each other’s arms.”
They both glanced through the open parlour door, where the couple stood near the hearth, faces shining by firelight as they gazed at each other.
