Page 40 of A Sense of Misgiving
He smiled and Mary felt herself blush beneath his scrutiny. He changed the subject, and they discussed local affairs for the rest of the meal. He was well informed, an amusing raconteur, and the hour or more that they remained at table seemed more like five minutes. When her grandmother rose, the rest of the ladies stood with her, and the captain was on his feet in seconds, pulling back her chair. Every other man stood also, with the exception of Lord Felsham, whom Flora thoughtfully waved back to his chair when he attempted to struggle upright.
‘I look forward to rejoining you very shortly,’ the captain said, as Mary passed his position.
Mary and Emma poured coffee for the rest of the ladies in the drawing room. When they had all been served, Mary joined her grandmother and Flora.
‘Are you enjoying yourself?’ Flora asked, smiling. ‘Silly question. I can see that you are quite enamoured with your handsome captain.’
‘I enjoy his company, it’s true, but enamoured is perhaps too strong a word. There’s something.’ She frowned. ‘I cannot quite put my finger on it. He is charming, and his manners are pristine, but sometimes there is…not bitterness in his expression, but something. Oh, I don’t know. Perhaps I am looking for faults where none exist.’ Mary paused. ‘He has asked me to join him and Lucy on an excursion to Swallow Hill on Monday. Have you ever been?’
Flora shook her head. ‘I’ve never heard it mentioned, either.’
‘You can see over half of Wiltshire from its summit. I myself haven’t been for years.’
‘And I don’t suppose you will be interested in the view if you go with the captain.’
‘Flora!’ Mary giggled. ‘What a thing to suggest.’
‘Have a care, Mary. Take your time getting to know him. Your grandmother isn’t too impressed with him.’
‘Ah. I thought she might not be.’ Mary sighed. ‘He tells me that if he cannot return to soldiering then he might pursue a career in law.’
‘Does he have the necessary qualifications? One can no longer simply set oneself up as a barrister nowadays.’
Mary shrugged. ‘I assume he must have, otherwise he would not be considering it.’
‘Or he might simply be trying to impress you.’
‘Yes, I am aware of that.’ Mary brightened. ‘Anyway, let us not be serious tonight. We are to have impromptu dancing, you know. I have engaged a couple of fiddlers to play for us, and as you can see, Woodley has had the furniture moved back and the rugs rolled up whilst we were at dinner.’
‘Then dance we all shall,’ Flora assured her, smiling and squeezing her hand.
The gentlemen did not linger over their port, and as soon as they entered the drawing room, the fiddlers struck up a jig and the dancing began. Captain Redfern bowed in front of Mary.
‘Shall we risk it?’ he asked.
He looked surprised when Mary shook her head. ‘Thank you, but your leg is hardly likely to withstand the rigors of a jig and I would not have you endure additional injuries on my account.’
They watched as a protesting Flora was claimed by Sam. Luke stuck with Lord Felsham, not taking to the floor, but Lucy stood up with one of their neighbours.
‘I hate to prevent you from enjoying your own party.’
‘You will not. Ah, Paul.’ She smiled at her brother’s secretary when he approached her. ‘Do you mean to risk your toes by asking me to dance with you?’
‘I have total faith in your abilities.’
‘Excuse us, Captain Redfern. I have a feeling that Paul will live to regret his gallantry. Time will tell.’
The captain bowed but did not look especially pleased to have Mary whipped away from him.
‘We have never danced together before,’ Mary remarked, as Paul held her firmly and twirled her through the jig.
‘I suppose the occasion has not arisen, otherwise I’m sure I would have asked you.’
‘Would you?’ Mary considered his response. ‘I always thought you looked upon me as an annoying younger sister.’
The corners of Paul’s mouth curled indolently, and he seemed amused by the suggestion. ‘Hardly.’
‘You are full of surprises,’ she said. ‘I find that you are a talented enough artist to put my efforts to shame. Now I know that you are also an excellent dancer.’
