Moonwitch (8 page)

Selena wondered if he might be ill at ease in his formal attire, for the muscular grace she had noticed before seemed subdued by the formfitting coat, ivory brocade waistcoat and tight buff breeches. And once she saw him reach up to tug on his neck cloth as if it might be too confining.

But he must have known how to conduct himself at social functions—or at least how to charm the fairer sex. As soon as he entered the room, he was surrounded by half-a-dozen ladies who obviously knew him and were eager to renew the acquaintance. They were soon joined by several older gentlemen who no doubt had been pressed by their daughters into begging an introduction.

Captain Ramsey greeted them all with ease and showered on the ladies an attentiveness that couldn’t fail to set their feminine hearts aflutter. When he happened to glance in Selena’s direction, though, she edged back a pace, hoping to avoid his notice. She dreaded the prospect of speaking to the captain, and she dared not even think of their previous intimacy; she very much feared the hot blush that stained her cheeks each time she did would brand her as a wanton. Already the looks being cast her way—some sly, some sympathetic—made her aware that she was an object of gossip.

The small orchestra struck up the first dance then, and even though she was obliged to allow Avery to lead her out, Selena was grateful for the distraction.

After the set, she didn’t lack for partners; she had known nearly every gentleman present for most of her life, and in spite of her engagement, she was a favorite among them. As the evening progressed, however, her spirits sank even lower. Kyle Ramsey never once sought her out. Indeed, it seemed as if he were avoiding her with as much determination as she was avoiding him. His disinterest carried a shaming sting. And even though no one was indelicate enough to mention her scandalous conduct of yesterday afternoon, Selena was quite conscious that it was being discussed.

By midway through the ball, she was fervently wishing the interminable evening would come to an end. Fearing she could no longer keep up the pretense of enjoyment while smiling and carrying on polite conversation, Selena declined the next dance by pleading fatigue. Making her escape, she settled herself in a chair in one corner of the room.

Beth found her there a short while later, half-obscured by a potted palm.

“Selena, dearest, whatever do you mean, hiding yourself away like this? I counted on you to partner my guests. Indeed, what can the gentlemen be thinking of to allow you to become a wallflower? You are always in such great demand. Never mind,” Beth added, taking the seat beside Selena and arranging the pale, jonquil-colored skirts of her gown. “It will allow us to gossip. I haven’t been able to get away all evening. My ball is a success, do you not think? Are you enjoying yourself?”

Seeing Beth’s shining eyes and eager expression, Selena didn’t have the heart to dampen her enthusiasm. “Indeed, I am,” she dissembled. “And yes, your ball is a great success. I don’t doubt it will be considered the event of the season.”

“Do you truly think so? It was such a coup to have Captain Ramsey attend. Drew was able to persuade him, you know. But really, it is in the captain’s best interest. Coming here tonight provides him with the opportunity to establish himself in the governor’s good graces, and after that incident in St. John’s yesterday— Oh, Selena, I
heard
what happened.”

When Beth’s declaration was accompanied by a sympathetic look, Selena realized her friend was speaking of Kyle Ramsey’s very public kiss. Again she felt color flood her cheeks.

Beth squeezed her gloved fingers. “No one blames you—at least no one except the cats who have nothing better to do than gossip. I daresay every woman here is pea green with envy. Did Avery cut up stiff about it?”

“He…he hasn’t mentioned it,” Selena murmured, reflecting that she would need to be prepared for a scolding from him.

“Well, perhaps he doesn’t know yet. I doubt anyone will be anxious to tell him. So, what was it like, Selena?”

Not following the rapid shift in Beth’s conversation Selena stared at her blankly. “What was what like?”

“To be kissed by a man like that, of course. Come, you can tell me, your bosom friend.”

Selena was extremely uncomfortable with such a question, yet she knew Beth wouldn’t let up until she had given a satisfactory answer. “It was…” She paused, searching for an adequate description for that shattering kiss, yet one that wouldn’t shock Beth. “Overwhelming,” she finished lamely.

Gazing off into space, Beth gave a dreamy sigh. “I can just imagine. Perhaps it’s fortunate that I’m a staid matron with a loving husband and three adorable children. There Captain Ramsey is now, waltzing with Marie. Isn’t he magnificent, with those splendid shoulders and that rugged-looking face?”

“Beth!”

“Oh, pooh! You know I don’t mean any slight to Drew. And don’t tell me you aren’t attracted to the captain, for I won’t believe it!”

Selena followed her gaze to watch Kyle whirling a petite redhead around the floor. He
was
magnificent, exuding the kind of strength and masculinity that women found extremely appealing. And he looked as if he had perfected the knack of making a woman feel special; he was bending close to Marie, listening attentively and watching her with those gold-flecked hazel eyes. The same eyes that had smoldered so hotly the previous night.

Selena was discomfited by the warm rush of feeling that accompanied the memory. “What is Captain Ramsey doing here?” she said quickly. “On the island, I mean.” It seemed incredible that she should have to ask such an elementary question after the intimacy she had shared with him, but she really had no idea what had brought him to Antigua. He couldn’t be unloading his ship’s cargo, for the Navigation Acts prevented the islands of the British West Indies to engage in trade with the United States.

“He’s simply visiting, I fancy,” Beth replied. “He comes here frequently, though he doesn’t mingle much with society.”

“But I’ve never seen him at a social gathering before tonight.”

“He attended the Brindell’s rout year before last, but you were in mourning for your father, if I remember. And yes, I know
some
people—” she gave Selena an arch look “—are saying the captain is a savage. But he must have some claim to gentility, or he wouldn’t be accepted by British society. Drew met Captain Ramsey in London years ago and found him rubbing shoulders with the nobility. He’s the intimate friend of a marquess, I understand.”

“I suppose by ‘some people,’ you mean Avery.”

“Just so. He was complaining to Drew earlier this evening about the ‘riffraff’ we had invited here tonight. I declare! Riffraff! But the unattached ladies, at least, are delighted to welcome the captain. And we
are
promoting international goodwill. Drew says the governor wants to improve relations with the United States.

“Besides, after that unfortunate incident in St. John’s yesterday, something needed to be done. Americans are barely tolerated in Antigua as it is. That’s why when Captain Ramsey called on us today to renew our acquaintance, Drew persuaded him to come to the ball—so he could soothe troubled waters. And now that Captain Ramsey has made his apologies to the governor for the disturbance, everything is famous. Indeed, the governor seemed to like him. I’m so pleased. It would be a shame if the captain were asked to leave the island.”

Beth paused for breath. “I suppose I should attend to my guests. Do go and dance, Selena. You know the gentlemen will be disappointed if you continue to hide yourself away like this.” When Selena murmured some noncommittal reply, Beth rose. But before she moved off, she spoke again. “Oh, I almost forgot. Avery was searching for you a moment ago. Shall I tell him where to find you?”

“Thank you, no,” Selena said quickly. “I need a moment more to myself.”

When Beth had gone, Selena remained in her chair only an instant longer before slipping through the French doors at the rear of the drawing room and onto the spacious gallery that wound around the house. Bright moonlight was filtering between archways of whitewashed brick to accumulate on the floor in silver pools.

Selena had thought the gallery deserted, so she was startled when she caught a flash of white out of the corner of her eye and heard the soft patter of feet. She turned in time to see a small, white-clad figure disappear down the wrought iron stairway that led to the garden. Having a good idea as to the identity of the apparition, she followed.

She found Beth’s eldest child, five-year-old Colin, dressed in a nightshirt and crouched on the third step. With his crop of dark curls and rosy cheeks, he seemed the image of his mother, even down to the vivid facial expressions. Seeing the revealing look of guilt on Colin’s cherubic face, Selena found it hard to repress a smile. He quite obviously had been spying on the company, no doubt attracted by the music and gay laughter and dancers in elegant evening dress.

He peered up at Selena as she stood at the head of the stairs. “You won’t tell?” he said anxiously.

Selena shook her head. “Do you think I would be so shabby?” Colin looked visibly relieved. Selena could see the set of his small shoulders relax. “I suppose you were lonely,” she added as she descended a few steps. “It isn’t at all pleasant to be excluded from all the festivities. I’m lonely, too. Perhaps we should keep each other company.”

When Colin promptly nodded, she sat down beside him, heedless of what the dust might do to her expensive gown. From that vantage, she could see much of the garden below. Beth had finally despaired of growing the kind of lawn that abounded in Britain, but her garden was laid out in the English style, with formal paths bordered by lime trees and swaths of native flowers. The delicate tropical fragrances filled the warm night. Selena was about to remark on the garden’s beauty when Colin piped up.

“Did you see the cap’m?” he asked, the eagerness in his young voice unmistakable.

“The captain? Do you mean Captain Ramsey?”

“Yes, him. Papa said the cap’m was to come tonight. I hoped I should be able to see him. Papa says he has a great schooner and he sails over the sea and fights with pirates! That’s what I will do when I am big. I will be a cap’m. I mean to have a giant ship. This giant,” he explained, spreading his short arms out as wide as they would reach. “Papa said he would take me to the harbor and show me the cap’m’s schooner…”

Selena wondered, as Colin’s artless chatter continued, why Captain Ramsey seemed to be the sole topic of conversation this evening. One would think none of the islanders had ever seen a ship’s master before—as if Antigua weren’t the site of the largest naval base in the Caribbean.

Just then a footfall sounded behind her, interrupting her thoughts and causing Colin to break off in mid-sentence.

“Good evening,” a familiar deep-timbred voice interjected into the silence.

Feeling her heartbeat quicken alarmingly, Selena turned her head to glance up at Kyle’s powerful figure. She could understand how he might be viewed by a young boy as a heroic figure.

“Forgive me,” he said slowly, “but I couldn’t help overhearing my name mentioned.”

Selena was dismayed by the effect his sudden presence was having on her pulse rate, but she was resolved not to let it show. “Colin,” she murmured, trying to regain her composure, “I daresay the captain perceived your wish, for here he is, in the flesh. Captain Ramsey, may I present Master Colin Thorpe.”

Colin’s eyes grew very wide as he gazed up at Kyle, his cherubic mouth forming an O. But when Kyle responded to the introduction with a polite greeting, Colin abruptly scrambled to his feet and stood stiffly at attention. “S-sir!” he stammered.

“Colin is a great admirer of yours, Captain,” Selena added. She hoped Captain Ramsey would understand such awe and be gentle, but after his earlier claim that children were an encumbrance in his line of work, she was afraid he might not.

“Is that so, lad?” Kyle flashed a broad smile, putting Selena’s fears to rest. “I’ll wager you do me too much honor, but I’m flattered nonetheless. Did I hear you say you want to captain a ship?”

“Yes, sir.” The boy nodded earnestly, seeming to gather courage. “I want to fight pirates like you.”

“Well, I’ve fought a few in my time, but it’s dismal work and wretchedly hard, not the least exciting, the way I thought it would be when I was your age. But commanding your own ship—now that’s a fine ambition.”

“Cap’m… do you suppose…? Could I go with you?”

Selena winced when she heard her own words echoed in the boy’s request; she had made the same suggestion that morning and had been turned down. She was grateful when Kyle didn’t refuse outright but cocked his head, appearing to give Colin’s question serious consideration. “I should like to take such a fine lad with me,” he said after pause, “but I’m giving up command of my ship. After this voyage I won’t be sailing any longer.”

His answer surprised Selena; she hadn’t thought him the kind of man who would ever give up the sea.

“However,” Kyle was saying, “my ships will still continue in service—”

“Ships?” Selena interjected curiously. “You have more than one?”

He glanced briefly in her direction, “I own several.”

Colin’s eyes grew round again. “And they are all yours?”

“Yes, lad,” Kyle said gently. “And I’ll still have plenty of acquaintances when I retire from the sea. I expect when you grow a little older, I can find you a berth on a worthy vessel—if you’re still of the same mind, and if your father approves. Of course, you’ll have to decide whether you want a military career or one in the merchant marine. There’s money to be made in commerce, though some don’t think making money is a gentleman’s occupation.”

“Oh, yes sir! How old, sir?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“How old must I grow?”

Kyle’s expression remained sober, though Selena thought she could detect a gleam of laughter in his eyes. “Some apprentices sign on at twelve. You might do the same, only you would still have to complete your schooling. It can be arranged, though, so that you can study on board. It’s what I did.”

When Colin beamed, Kyle reached down to ruffle his mop of black curls. “However,” he added with increasing sternness, “if you mean to become a seaman, the first and
most important
thing you must learn is how to obey orders. I expect your mama put you to bed hours ago, is that not so?”