Page 27 of A Winter By the Sea
At dinner that evening, everyone buzzed excitedly about the day’s events like bees to bright flowers, asking questions and pressing Emily and Georgiana for details.
“I tried to stop Billy,” Georgie said. “I did! Instead I accidentally made his shot go wild.”
“It was not your fault,” Emily insisted. “He should not have been shooting anywhere near the house, let alone at a bird beneath their window.”
Mr. During daintily wiped a table napkin to the corners of his mouth, then said, “I cannot believe a young lad had the hardihood to approach so near the residence of Their Royal Highnesses. I should not have been half so brave at his age.”
“Brave, or brazen?” Mr. Bernardi asked. He took an experimental bite of the puffy brown Yorkshire pudding, chewing tentatively. Then setting down his fork, he said, “I’d wager Conroy had fire blazing from his nose and steam from his ears. The man is hot-tempered at the best of times.”
Georgie nodded. “He flew out of the house with a gun in his hand!”
“Good heavens,” Mamma murmured, pressing a hand to her throat.
“I am surprised he didn’t shoot first and ask questions later,” Mr. During said.
“I feared the same thing,” Emily allowed. “Thankfully, Mr. Thomson was there to help the captain see reason.” She sent him a grateful smile, noticing again how handsome he was. Handsomeandcourageous.
Mr. Bernardi looked at him with interest. “How did you manage that?”
James Thomson shrugged. “I did little, truth be told. It was the duke himself who convinced Conroy not to have the boy punished. I think he was so relieved his daughter was unharmed that little else mattered.”
“Astounding,” Mr. Hornbeam said. “Considering he was known to be merciless in his years as a commander. It is said that wherever the Duke of Kent was in command there were floggings, executions, and desertions. His career ended after an inquiry into his conduct.”
Mr. Thomson spoke up. “Though to his credit, he distinguished himself for bravery in the West Indian campaign against the French.”
Mr. During added, “And the people of Gibraltar awarded him with a diamond-encrusted garter for his service. It’s in the plate chest even now.”
Mr. Hornbeam nodded thoughtfully. “Is it not ironic? Some people revere the man, while others abhor him for cruelty. Evidently, he is a man of contrasts. Or perhaps fatherhood has softened him.”
Emily said, “He certainly dotes on his daughter.”
Mr. Thomson nodded his agreement. “He is devoted to his wife as well. I came to work for him long after his military career had ended. But even in that interval, I have seen a change in him, a softening, as you say. A kindness to others, to animals, and to children.”
“And to what do you attribute that change?”
Another shrug. “The love of a good woman, perhaps. And as Mr. Hornbeam said, becoming a father has improved his disposition all the more.”
Bernardi lifted his glass. “Whatever the reason, the three of us can be glad he’s ceased his merciless treatment of subordinates, ey?”
“Very true,” During said, lifting his glass as well, while Mr. Thomson made do with another nod.
Georgiana said, “After today, I count myself in that number.”
Emily lifted her water glass to join the mock toast. “Hear, hear.”
7
The fine arts are five in number, namely:
painting, sculpture, poetry, music, and architecture,
the principal branch of the latter being pastry.
—Chef Antonin Carême
The next day after luncheon, Sarah went belowstairs. Again, she was unhappily surprised to findherroom already occupied. Mr. Bernardi stood at the worktable, which was cluttered with mounds of sugar, wooden and glazed-stone molds, and sculpting tools.
“Here again, Mr. Bernardi?”
