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Althia and Nicholas had a most enjoyable evening last night sharing stories and each other's company.
Althia awoke from a pleasant night's sleep and prepared for the day. She caught herself humming a tune as she dressed. How unusual, she thought and then as she passed by, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Althia paused and looked at the woman in the reflection. She had a smile on her face, and her eyes seemed brighter and energized. That woman didn't look anything like the Althia Shevington she knew. Who was this woman? And what made her so happy? A feeling of uneasiness poured over Althia. She couldn't let that man affect her like that. Althia straightened up and forced a dour look on her face. She put on her shoes and made her way downstairs for breakfast. Upon entering the breakfast nook, however, she stopped in her tracks as she saw Captain Metcalf already seated at the table drinking a glass of juice. He was obviously wearing one of John's shirts and pants--as John was a slightly larger man than the Captain, and Althia could see how the clothes hung on him.
Startled, she somehow sputtered out, "C--Captain Metcalf, good morning."
"Lady Shevington," Nicholas scooted his chair back and attempted to stand, obviously still in a lot of pain.
"Please, do not bother. It would not be beneficial for you to hurt yourself, nor do I require it."
"Perhaps within the next day or so, I shall be able to exhibit more of my manners." He nodded to her as she took her place and then he forced his chair closer to the table, pursing his lips together to hide the pain.
"I shall look forward to the demonstration," Althia coolly replied, trying to fight the feelings of incompetence and butterflies dancing in her stomach. "So many naval men seem to leave their manners at sea."
Her response surprised and slightly offended Nicholas. "How observant of you, Lady Shevington. Perhaps you think that this sort of thing should be taught at the Academy?"
Jane entered and could sense something amiss between the two. She set down their plates and tea service without uttering a word and quickly returned to the kitchen, with her ear near the slightly opened door, not wishing to miss any of the possible excitement.
Undaunted, Althia matched his tone and inflection. "Now that would be something, would it not? It might help the brutes command greater respect."
Where was she coming up with this? "I can just see it now," Nicholas said incredulously, "as my crew attacks an enemy ship, we call out to them, 'So terribly sorry, dear sirs that we have to defend ourselves and our country. We sincerely hope that you are not slighted in the least. Perhaps later on we could share in some tea and crumpets?"
"You are mocking me, Captain." Althia's eyes narrowed into an icy stare. She would not be intimidated. "I am merely suggesting that some of your compatriots could use a few lessons in addressing and conversing with members of civilization." She held on to her steely resolve and reveled in the fact that she started feeling like herself again.
"Manners hold little importance on the battlefield, Lady Shevington." Nicholas started in on his meal. "Being polite and staying alive do not always go hand in hand."
"No, I suppose not, Captain Metcalf." Althia prepared to stick the verbal dagger in a bit further. "But must men be so quick to bring such rudimentary actions and speech inside the walls of society. Certainly men like yourself would be able to see the difference and respond accordingly."
Nicholas finished his bite before continuing. "I suppose you are correct, Lady Shevington, but I must admit that for someone known as the 'Iceberg Princess,' one might tend to believe that you are speaking outside your realm of expertise." Nicholas looked straight into her eyes without a hit of emotion on his face.
Althia's eyes flew open in surprise. She sat there in a moment of stunned silence. How dare he? Who did he think he was? He insinuated that she was no better than those savages who wormed their way to her at dances and in town. Her mouth took on a firm line as she stood up and took the teapot in her hand. She carefully took off the lid, lifted the teapot and poured its contents onto Nicholas' head.
"Are you mad, woman?!" He bellowed, scooting back, startled by the action and the temperature of the water. He then groaned, due to the pain the action caused him as Althia set the pot down with a thud and then stormed out of the breakfast nook.
"Oh my, Captain, are you alright?" Jane immediately rushed out after Althia left, having heard the commotion from the kitchen and brought with her a kitchen towel for Nicholas.
Nicholas took the towel and began to wipe his head and shirt. "Nothing hurt too seriously, Jane, thank you." He concentrated on trying to dry himself.
"You must forgive her, Captain. She's a wonderful woman and more than generous and kind, but she doesn't take to men very well."
"Yes, I am beginning to realize that." Nicholas sopped up some of the tea from his pants.
Jane tried to clean up the floor. "She was very close to her grandfather and father and when they both passed on..." She thought for a moment. "Well, Captain, it was like something inside her died along with them. Personally, I think she's just afraid of having another man in her life because she thinks he will leave her." Jane stood and took the towel from Nicholas. "You've just got to show her that you aren't going to treat her like that. I know you'll be good for her, Captain. Lord knows she needs it...even if she doesn't." Jane gave a half smile as she went back into the kitchen.
Blast it all! Nicholas thought as he sat there in his wet clothes. How could I have walked right into her trap? I knew better than to try and match her defenses. Now, I've got to find a way to get through them--that is, if she'll let me anywhere near her. He propped his elbow on the table and rested his forehead on his hand, trying to figure out how to recover from this defeat and prepare a new strategy.
Althia stormed down to the stables and unhooked the saddle from the wall. Randolph seemed to sense that all was not well with his mistress and he kept his distance from her as she hauled the saddle over and balanced it on one of the stable walls. She tromped over and removed a saddle blanket from the makeshift table and the stepstool from nearby. She climbed the stepstool, placed the blanket on the horse's back and, with her anger and adrenaline pumping, hefted the large saddle onto the mare and began to saddle Cider as she fumed over this morning's activities. "Mock me in my own home, will he?" she muttered under her breath as she stepped down and began tightening the girth underneath the stomach of the horse. "Say that I have no manners!" Althia grumbled louder as she retrieved the reigns and bit hanging on the wall and attached them properly. "Speaking outside my expertise!" she yelled angrily and then growled as she got her whip and led Cider out of the barn. Randolph retreated to the house as Althia climbed aboard the mare and commanded her to take off as quickly as possible.
Inside, Humphrey helped Nicholas back into his room, out of his wet clothes and into a fresh set. "It has been quite a while since Lady Shevington poured tea over a guest," Humphrey remarked, his slight smile hiding behind his beard.
"So this is not the first time?" Nicholas questioned, not surprised.
"Oh no," Humphrey continued as he handed Nicholas a clean shirt. "I believe the last one was Lord Allendayle, but that's been, let's see...nearly ten years ago. Before him, there was..."
"I understand," Nicholas interrupted Humphrey, "that I am in good company." Nicholas groaned slightly as he lifted the shirt over his head.
Humphrey moved to his side and began to help straighten the shirt. "Oh indeed Captain, and quite plentiful company, at that. Luckily for most men, and England I might add, Lady Shevington now chooses to use her words to inflict pain rather than tea." He finished helping Nicholas and smiled while helping him into a chair.
"Why is that, do you suppose, Humphrey?" Nicholas looked up at the older man desiring to pick his mind concerning Althia.
Humphrey stopped for a moment and looked at Nicholas. "Lady Shevington's mother died when miss was but a few months old. My family arrived with Lady Harrington who married Lord Shevington a year or so later. The new Lady Shevington had difficulty accepting miss, especially when none of Lady Shevington's children survived long in this world. Thus, miss felt she could only turn to her father and grandfather for comfort and love. When both men passed on, she no longer desired to have men in her life."
"But she had you and your family?"
"Indeed Captain, and she will always have us, God willing. But we aren't real family. Miss needs someone who can understand her and stand up to her once in a while." Humphrey began to look bemused again. "Getting tea poured on you is a good start."
Nicholas liked and trusted Humphrey. "Humphrey, may I tell you something in strictest confidence?"
"My first duty is to Lady Shevington; but if it will not harm her, then your secret is safe with me."
"I admire your loyalty. No, this will not harm her."
"Very well then."
Nicholas smiled and looked past Humphrey into nothing. "I am in love with your mistress and I am going to marry her."
Humphrey stood there for a moment. "For her sake, Captain Metcalf, I hope you are correct." He then leaned in a bit. Nicholas looked up to see Humphrey's somber gaze as the older man added in a lower tone, "None of us wish to see her hurt again," Humphrey warned before straightening back up. "Will you be needing anything else?"
"No, Humphrey," Nicholas answered, the weight of Humphrey's words beginning to sink in. "I shall be fine for the time being."
"Very well then," Humphrey nodded, turned, and then exited the room.
Nicholas mulled over the previous exchange. He knows, Nicholas concluded. Somehow he knows, but he isn't going to stop me. Nicholas pondered what to do next. Can anything good come out of this? he wondered, as he leaned back and looked over at the empty chair. He gingerly lifted his arm and caressed the velvet where she had sat last night--enchanting, vivacious Althia Shevington sat and laughed and sparkled next to him. Having something so captivating couldn't be wrong, he rationalized. After all, didn't he deserve to be happy after everything he had been through? Rationalizations began swirling around his thoughts of the lovely Lady
Shevington.
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