Back in her room, a smile lifted Addie’s lips as she braided her hair. While she might be naive of the ways of men, John clearly had not been offended by her ridiculous note about him. What had possessed her to write such a thing? Anyone might have seen it. She pulled on socks and shoes and coiled her braid around her head, then hurried down the steps. After she checked on Gideon, who waited patiently on the porch, she started toward the dining room.
She went down the hall past the salon where she’d talked with Mrs. Eaton. The dining room was down another hallway. She passed a large, airy room. Its bay window looked out onto a formal garden with clipped hedges, a labyrinth, and several fountains. Exploration would have to wait until later, but she was eager to see what delights the garden held.
She stepped into the dining room and approached the long table. “Good morning.” The handsome lieutenant’s eyes still held the warmth she’d seen in the forest. She’d never thanked him for his kindness in showing her which utensil to use the first night she’d arrived.
“Come sit by me.” Mrs. Eaton indicated the seat to the right of her at the far head of the table.
Addie walked through the gauntlet of stares. Things were much more formal here than she was accustomed to. She didn’t think she would ever get used to this lifestyle. She slid into the chair and picked up the linen napkin. She swallowed hard and prayed she wouldn’t embarrass herself by clinking her fork on her plate or spilling her tea. This time, John couldn’t easily show her how to proceed.
Mrs. Eaton passed her a bowl of fluffy scrambled eggs. “How are you adjusting, my dear? Are you sleeping well?”
“It’s a strange place, Clara. Of course she doesn’t sleep well yet,” Mr. Eaton said.
Addie’s smile faded at his tense tone. She turned to face Mr. Driscoll. “How are you feeling, sir?” She should have asked him outside.
Mr. Driscoll spooned scrambled eggs onto his plate. “Other than a slight headache, I am none the worse for wear.”
“I told him he should have stayed in bed, but he insisted on getting up,” Mrs. Eaton said. “His arm heals, but then he’s nearly killed by an intruder.”
“I need to open the drugstore,” he said.
Addie took a bite of egg, but she barely tasted it. Mr. Driscoll was attacking his food with gusto.
“How are you, Adeline?” Mrs. Eaton asked. “I neglected to inquire after your health when we spoke earlier.”
“I’m fine, ma’am.”
“Not sore or bruised?”
“Perhaps a bit. But I feel nothing a long walk along the beach wouldn’t cure.”
John glanced at his pocket watch. “I would have time to take you and Edward to the beach if you’d like. He could use some exercise.”
“There are bicycles in the carriage house,” Mr. Eaton said. “You’re welcome to use them.”
Addie put her hands to her cheeks. “You have bicycles? I’ve always wanted to learn to ride one.”
“Bicycles are out for today, then,” John said. “Tonight I’ll give you a lesson. You’ll need to be able to get around at your leisure.”
“Does Edward have a bicycle? Once I learn, we might go together. It would be excellent exercise for him.” The family grew silent, and a rock formed in her belly when she realized her gaffe. “Oh, of course not. What was I thinking?” Her face burned, and she fixed her attention on her plate.
“Edward does have . . . challenges,” Mrs. Eaton said. “But there is much he is able to do.”
“Of course.” Addie put her napkin down. “If I might be excused, I’ll get Edward ready for our excursion.”
“I’ll direct the cook to prepare a lunch for you,” Mrs. Eaton said. “And I’ll send Wilson to fetch you around two. Would that suit?”
“That’s perfect,” Addie said.
John rose as well. Addie followed him out. “I’ll only be a moment,” she said. “Thank you for your offer.”
His smile and easy manner returned. “My pleasure. I assume you want to take the dog?”
“Oh yes. Edward will have great fun with him at the water.” Dressed in a navy blue sack coat and matching trousers, the lieutenant was just as handsome as he’d been in his navy uniform. “You have nothing else to do today?”
He shook his head. “I’m on leave for a month. It’s been much too long since I had the opportunity to play with my son.” He took his bowler from the hall tree and donned it. “I’ll have the buckboard ready.” He exited through the front door.
She took the stairs two at a time with a smile on her face. A day at the water and a drive with John, followed by lunch at the beach! She wanted to dance, but she forced herself to assume a sedate pace. She stopped off in her room to change into her bathing costume, tights, and bathing shoes. When she fetched Edward, she nearly danced into the room. She changed him into his bathing costume, then packed his sailboat, pail, and shovel in a bag.
“I forgot my hat,” she said. “You take your things out to the buckboard, and I’ll be right there.”
Edward skipped off, and she darted into her room. When she returned to the hall, she found Mr. Driscoll waiting for her. His somber expression wiped the smile from her face.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
“You seem very chummy with John.”
“We are related,” she reminded him.
“By marriage only. Don’t let your guard down around him. For all we know, he’s the one who arranged for the attack on you and me.”
“That’s impossible,” she said. “He was with me in the woods when you were attacked.”
“He could have paid someone.”
“For what reason?”
“Addie, you must use your head. If your identity becomes known, his son will no longer be Henry’s immediate heir. He has the most to lose of anyone.”
She found it difficult to breathe. “I believe he’s an honorable man.”
“The women all like him. I should have guessed you would be taken in by his good looks. He never stays with any woman long. Katherine was going to leave him.”
“For seeing other women?” Bile burned her throat.
Mr. Driscoll patted her shoulder. “The reasons are too numerous to go into. But hold him at arm’s length, my dear.” He walked off.
Addie swallowed hard. Had she been duped by John’s smile and dark eyes? She didn’t want to believe it.
A stone lodged somewhere in Addie’s midsection as John helped her down from the buckboard. The sea breeze tugged at her hair, and she lifted her face to the salty tang on the wind. The temperature along the northern California coast ranged from fifty-five degrees in the winter to sixty-eight in the summer, but the sun heated the sand under her feet even on the coolest day. Today the air was close to seventy.
Edward raced after Gideon, who ran into the white caps rolling to the shore. Could Mr. Driscoll be right? She didn’t want to believe John might have orchestrated the attack on them, but it made sense. Who else stood to lose so much if her identity became known? But how could he possibly know?
She chose not to believe it. Not until she could verify his lack of integrity.
John retrieved the basket of food, the quilt, and the toys from the back of the buckboard. “You’re wearing a serious frown,” he said. “Is everything all right?”
“Are you a philanderer, Lieutenant North?”
His brows rose, and he laughed. “You’re a constant surprise, Addie. What a question. Is this a joke?”
“I’m quite serious,” she said, grabbing her hat when the wind threatened to send it tumbling across the sand.
His grin faded. “Why would you ask such an insulting question?”
She dug the toe of her shoe into the sand. “I meant no insult. I have no experience with men. I thought perhaps . . .”
“You thought I was toying with your emotions.”
She nodded. The dark intensity in his eyes made her shiver. This was no cold, passionless man, but one who felt things deeply. His lips flattened, and his nostrils flared. His eyes sparked with some emotion she couldn’t name. Then it winked out as his control tightened.
When he smiled, it was a cold grimace. “I like you, Miss Sullivan. Do you think I play with your emotions because I want to become better acquainted?” he asked.
“Not unless your intentions are less than honorable.”
He shifted the basket in his hand. “Less than honorable. I doubt you even know what it means for a man to behave dishonorably toward a woman.”
She tipped her chin up. “My knowledge of such things might be a bit vague, but there’s no need to mock me. I grew up around animals. I know what should be reserved for marriage.”
The darkness behind his eyes lightened, and his lips curved in a genuine smile. A bark of laughter escaped. “We don’t dare turn you loose in town. You’ll tell the mayor he’s too fat.”
“Is he?”
He grinned. “He weights four hundred pounds or more.”
“Maybe someone should tell him.”
All trace of anger was gone from his face. “You’re one of a kind, Miss Adeline Sullivan. The Eaton family may never be the same after your sojourn with us. No one says what they mean in that house. I’m afraid I’ve become accustomed to it.” He glanced toward his son, who was throwing a ball for the dog. “Let’s get our things settled.” He turned his back on her and strode across the sand with his burden.
The wind tore the hat from his head and sent it sailing straight at Addie. She snagged it in midair. He slipped in the sand, then his legs flew out from under him, and he landed on his backside. The items he carried scattered in a circle around him. She gasped and ran to help. A seagull cawed overhead, and a white blob dropped. It landed squarely on the shoulder of John’s jacket.
Addie stopped, observing first the mess on his suit, then the sand on his pants. His face reddened, but she wasn’t sure if it was from embarrassment or anger. His lip curled when he spied the bird droppings on his jacket.
A giggle erupted from Addie’s lips. And another one. “I’m sorry,” she gasped through her laughter. “But if you could see your face. Such disgust. It’s only a little offering from the gull to show his affection.”
He stood before she reached him and bent to brush the sand from his trousers. “I think you were more deserving of that deposit from the gull.”
Her giggles rose again, and she squelched them. She pulled her hankie from the inside of her sleeve at her wrist and stood on tiptoe while she dabbed at the gunk on his jacket.
His fingers caught hers. His intense gaze held her in place. “I should like to take you to dinner one night. Would that be acceptable?”
“Yes,” she said, struggling to maintain her composure. “I would like that very much.”
His grip tightened. “They’ll try to change you, Addie. I should dislike to see that happen.”
“Who will?”
“The Eaton family. Society. They’ll shush you when you speak your mind.” His hand went to a loose curl hanging down her back. “They’ll tell you it’s more proper to put your hair up.”
“Mrs. Eaton already suggested I wear my hair up when she saw me with it down.” Warmth gathered in her midsection at his touch. “I’m sure there are many things I need to learn.”
He leaned close enough for his breath to mingle with the salt air that caressed her skin. “I like you just the way you are.” His hand trailed from her hair to her cheek. “Promise me you won’t change.”
“How can I promise such a thing? God wants each of us to grow.”
“Let’s have a talk with him and ask him not to mess with perfection.”
She managed to find enough moisture in her mouth to swallow. If he didn’t take his hand from her cheek, she was going to throw herself into his arms. If there wasn’t such a thing as love at first sight, she was in so much trouble.