Page 155 of A Winter By the Sea
A man in uniform exited the morning room—an officer she did not recognize. On his heels came Captain Conroy.
Seeing them there, both men stopped abruptly.
“Speak of the devil.” Conroy’s eyes narrowed. “Her Royal Highness told me there should be four silver candlesticks. I was about to send out a search party.”
“No need, sir.” Though visibly straining under its weight, During lifted the chest higher. “They are right here.”
Conroy dismissed the officer and gestured them inside.
A moment later, Emily found herself once more in the Woolbrook Cottage morning room, which Captain Conroy evidently used as his personal office. She again felt called to account, even as she reminded herself that she had done nothing wrong. The captain glowered at her, perhaps at her presumption in being there at all, and then turned to Mr. During.
“Well, what have you got to say for yourself?”
“I am sorry I left the chest unlocked and two items notwhere they should have been when you called. I deeply regret my lapse in duty.”
The captain gestured toward the chest in During’s arms. “The other two candlesticks are in there?”
“Yes, sir. Miss Summers told me the duchess requested them. I believe you will find the pair well polished and in excellent condition.”
“I should hope so. Let’s see them.”
Selwyn During set the chest on the desk, unlocked it, and opened the lid. With gloved hands he lifted out the gleaming candlesticks, setting them almost reverently on the desk.
Conroy rose and bent close to inspect them.
“Is that sand in the well here?”
“Sand? Where?” During lunged forward, yanking his polishing cloth from his coat pocket.
Mr. Bernardi improvised. “Probably only a bit of residue from the polish, I imagine.”
“Hmm. So where were you?” Conroy straightened. “I trust you have a good reason for leaving the chest unlocked and unattended?” The man’s black eyes bore into his.
Selwyn quailed. “I ... um...” He swallowed and looked to the others.
Emily spoke up. “As you can see he is still shaken. The truth is, Mr. During received alarming news about his family. Is that not right?”
“Y-yes. I...” During faltered, then cleared his throat and began again with resolve. “I am ashamed to say my mother and sisters have been sent to debtors’ prison. I had been helping them, sending them what I could of my wages, but as you know we have not been paid in some time.”
Emily said, “When he learned of this, he was justifiably distraught. He left the candlesticks he’d been polishing and walked down to the beach, trying to think of what to do.”
“A moment of madness, that’s what it was,” Mr. During said. “I was that desperate and not thinking clearly. I was ever so relieved when my two colleagues and Miss Summers came to find me and bring me back... to my senses.”
Conroy glared at Bernardi and Thomson. “This true?”
After the slightest hesitation, James nodded. “He has been distraught, yes. Certainly you can understand, given the circumstances.”
“No, Idon’tunderstand. I would never abandon my post or neglect my duty for any reason.”
“Even if your wife and children were in danger?”
The man’s eyes hardened. “Even then.”
Mr. Bernardi offered, “I am sure Mr. During will never do the like again. Will you, Selwyn?”
“No. No, I won’t.”
Clearly skeptical, Conroy harrumphed.
