Chapter 12: Working up an appetite...

I nodded dumbly, and rose. Catherine smiled at me.

"Go on, I'll be fine- here comes Mrs Nicholson to sit with me."

Satisfied I was not abandoning my friend; I softly placed a gloved hand in his, and demurely walked out onto the dance floor. When the music began, I smiled lightly- it was the Penchate, one of the fastest and more recent dances invented, and I had known it well before my rash abandonment of London. It was my favourite, as it was more expressive than the more formal dances. I raised an eyebrow at my Captain- a hidden side, perhaps?

"Ready, Captain Wendon?"

He smiled rakishly, a lock of hair flipped into his eyes, and Lord help me, I grinned back.

Xxx

Breathing heavily, James held my hand and bowed over it to me, pressing his lips to my glove. I curtseyed, and couldn't keep the exuberant smile from lighting up my face. James had been an excellent dancer, moving perfectly in time yet with passion and feeling. As the music had begun, the floor had cleared to some five couples, now also bowing breathlessly to each other, and a round of applause came from the appreciative spectators.

"Well, I certainly enjoyed that, Lady Evelyn..." James tried desperately to recover his cool manner, but his eyes twinkled boyishly. I felt flushed and rather warm myself.

"As, I assure you, did I, James. You are an excellent dancer, sir." I tried to keep my cool and failed miserably.

"Thank you, but I protest that it was clearly your skill that enabled us to dance so well together."

I had thought we were evenly matched, but I was content to bask in his courtesy- before long it would be back to 'Mr Westenra! Pass the word for so-and-so, if you please!'

He led me from the floor, and hastened to fetch us both cool drinks, which we both were in need of. Hannah and Catherine joined me, and we giggled girlishly for a few moments over the Captain's handsome features and good prospects before composing ourselves as Byrne and my most recent dancing partner, with a stranger in naval dress approached, holding glasses of white wine.

"Lady Evelyn, Miss Hardy, Miss Eliot-Thomas, may I introduce Captain Jack Aubrey? Captain Aubrey, Lady Evelyn, has just arrived from England."

Captain Jack Aubrey was a devilishly handsome man, who captured our full attention with his murmured greeting. Catherine leaned forwards slightly, and bid them sit by us. I smiled at them both.

"What are you doing in Porto Rosado, Captain Aubrey? A mission of daring and danger, as usual?"

I phrased my question lightly, knowing that he might not be able to tell us the truth, and giving him an escape route should he require it.

He smiled at me, and set his glass down carefully before replying.

"Actually, I am looking for someone."

My heart quickened. Looking for whom, exactly?

"May I enquire who? Or is it a state secret."

He smiled easily back at me, and I waited with bated breath for his answer.

"I do not know precisely who as of yet. I am to open my orders tonight. Apparently, it is an heiress who has disappeared- there are fears she has been kidnapped."

It was me. I looked into his eyes and knew he wasn't aware of anything- yet. Thank God he didn't know my name yet. I would know if any other heiresses vanished, because most of them are my friends, and Catherine and Hannah would have told me, having recently had letters from England.

"Oh? Well, I hope she is in good health when you find her. I suppose she hasn't just done some silly thing such as eloping with a lover? I am quite curious as to her identity; you must tell us when you know so that we may help you- women know more about other women's secrets and affairs than you men can ever discover..."

I think my change of subject did well, considering the shock I had just weathered, and luckily at that moment the dinner gong went. Captain Wendon offered me an arm, and we all went through to the dining room.

There were stiff cream place cards by each plate- a lovely gold-rimmed porcelain service, with a gorgeous motif on the rim- and James courteously found mine for me at once. I was next to Mr Grant (David) on my left, and, to my amusement, Byrne on my right. I was reminded how many meals we had shared in the Ward-room, and became easier in my manner. James was across and to my left, and Hannah was opposite me, Catherine on the other side of 'David', and near to the Duchess, who smiled at me.

The first course was, traditionally, soup. A lovely turtle soup, excellently cooked. We talked of various things, of little importance and much interest to us at the time. Byrne and I got along famously, although I steered the conversation to topics I knew he liked that I could learn about. This dual-persona affair was becoming difficult to manage, and I decided that the next time I voluntarily gave up Jack Westenra for Evelyn would be the end of Jack- it was, as I had first thought, just a little too risky.

Aubrey was near the Duchess, and too far for me to overhear their conversation, which pleased me. The next course was the fish course, and a selection of Dory, Marlin or swordfish was placed before us. I decided to follow Captain Wendon's lead and choose the swordfish, which appeared to be an excellent choice, as it was succulent, moist and firm. 'David' and Byrne then engaged me in a debate about card games, which Hannah cheerfully joined in on my side- that gambling should be considered the devil's game when the stakes went above a small amount per round. Gambling, in my opinion, is the biggest corrupter of decent men since ale was invented.

After fish we had a sorbet, lovely and refreshing, and I thought how nice it was to be briefly in civilisation once again. Then came the meat and vegetables- turkey, chicken, duck, tongue, beef and pork were all options. I selected the turkey, and was pleased to find that Captain Wendon and Hannah trusted my judgement too. During this course, a beautiful sparkling rose was served. Light and tangy, it complimented our food perfectly, and I began to feel as though I should never be able to manage dessert.

However, when the dessert arrived, every woman at the party changed her mind, forgetting the strict dietary rules she had laid down for herself. A magnificent chocolate mousse, with truffle and strawberries, a little for each person, was hard to refuse. It was sumptuous, daring, bold and rich, and the small amount was more than enough. I must remember to get the recipe. Byrne and I extolled the virtues of chocolate to David (which he didn't eat, claiming it gave him head aches) and made Hannah laugh with our exaggerations of how we liked chocolate.

After that, we ladies withdrew to leave the men to their coffee and cigars, and went into the card room, where we sat companionably, talking mostly about the men in the next room and drinking our coffee. I complimented Mrs Nicholson on her chef's excellent cooking and her organisation, to which she responded warmly. Catherine, Hannah and I talked about Mr Denton (Hannah thought he would propose soon, and we agreed) and his good prospects. Then Catherine brought up the Captain's we had met, and Byrne, and we agreed- Aubrey and Wendon were both interesting. Hannah suspected that Wendon was flirting with me- why else would he choose such a sensuous dance? I responded sharply that I didn't know any such thing, and that perhaps it was mere coincidence. Catherine speculated about Aubrey for a while, and I began to get a headache from all the lies I was forced to maintain. How is one supposed to lie to one's particular friends constantly?

It is certainly not something I felt proud of at all.