Roses and Flames

Chapter 11

Ambrosia knew that there were no consequences to her disagreeing, it would meet with the same lack of success. So she did not stop and continued,” You were a good friend of the old duke, when he was alive. Were you not?”

“Of course…but…”

“And mightn’t he have asked you a favour at one point of your life when you and mother feared that you would be childless?” In case she had been too direct she larded the question with more feminine sweetness.” I only ask for I know that there is bound to be gossip.”

“There will be none, if Hastings leaves as he promised to,” he father stubbornly said. He had neither affirmed, nor denied the theory. But evasiveness was an answer.

“It is hardly fair to Patrick, if you make him leave London just because of Samuel.” Nor was it fair to her but she was not going to say that at this moment. She would lose him again, over something that should not matter to anyone.” If estrangement between you is nothing more than a fear of making this revelation then I suggest you best get over with it. Since I love both men, I shall endeavor my best to keep them both close to me for as long as I am able.”

She smiled and offered a bait that she doubted that her father could refuse. Then she said,” I am sure that Samuel would welcome the news. He has spoken to me frequently about being the only remaining member of his family. You would gain much favour from him by telling him what he wants to hear.”

“Revelation of a natural son…..” her father stopped himself before revealing the truth,” if there were such, would do nothing to change the status as the last of his line.”

“It would change the contents of his heart,” Ambrosia argued.” I know is spirit. It is generous to a fault. He would want to share his wealth with his father’s son. At least it would make them cease to cause these jokes about dueling over me. Imagine his reaction, should they fight for some reason and not learn the truth until it is too late and one of them is gravely injured.”

“For some reason?” She had pushed too far. Her father had spotted on a hole in the argument and he made his way out of that. Rather it would be more accurate to say that he escaped.” Really Ambrosia. Do not play naïf. You know perfectly well that they would be fighting over you for your attention. There would be simply no problem at all if you send the doctor away and since I can see that he is lingering here just for the sake of the false hope that there might be a match possible in between the both of you. And I have assured myself that the doctor is too proud and sensible to think that something might happen between the two of you. And neither should you.”

“I am not offering false hope.” There was nothing false about it. After the time spent in the garden the hope that she felt was quite real. As was her conviction about the identity of Patrick’s father.” I am simply attempting to right a wrong before this goes any further. It pains both men and it does no credit to you.”

“You are meddling in things you cannot understand,” he said patting her on her hand and treating her like the child that he still believed that she was.” If this is the reason you were impolite to Samuel then I believe that you should apologise and I am sorry to disappoint you. I have nothing to say on the matter, because there is nothing to say.”

Had she failed to pursue him? This happened so rarely that, for a moment she suspected that she might have been wrong. Perhaps there was no secret to reveal.

“Father….”

“Go!” he pointed a finger back towards the garden, once again secure in his control of the situation.” Send Dr. Hastings on his way before the Duke tires of his company. Visit with Samuel, which he desires, as he desires in the manner he desires. I have no intention of helping you out of the muddle that you are making. This is the end of this discussion and will not be repeated. Now, go.” Her father’s lips were set in a firm line as if to show her that no more words shall pass from them until she had fulfilled her obligation to him, to society and to the duke.

But he was giving no thoughts to Patrick’s needs at all. If he would not then someone must, or he was going to get back on a boat and walk out of her life forever.” Very well then. I will talk to Samuel. But you are wrong about the rest Father. We will speak of this again and that time, you will tell the truth.” She would worry him with it night and day if necessary. But she would have her way, and Samuel would know his brother.

In Ambrosia’s absence, an awkward silence had fallen between the two men. It was hardly surprising since Patrick seldom had the cause to speak  to a man of such great rank and no right to initiate conversation. The duke had no reason to speak to him. It left the pair of them staring morosely at the kitten on the bench until the thing stumbled on the edge on and off and wandering into the grass to stalk and pounce at the crickets.

Now there was not even an excuse of silence. It seemed that the Duke was not content with this, for he kept on searching about an opening with him to see an opening to the conversation. At last he offered,” Ambrosia said that you were educated in Scotland, after you took to the sea.”

“Indeed, your Grace.” Patrick shifted uneasily as he clasped his hands behind the back.

“The navy is an unusual choice for such a well educated man. But I cannot fault your adventurous spirit.”

Patrick was tempted to announce that he had not asked the peer for an opinion, but he had only one reason to dislike this man and no reason at all to be rude to him. Excessive fondness for Ambrosia was no excuse for a lack of respect to the peerage.” The navy is an economical way to see the world.” Patrick admitted.” The prize money taken from the ships was more than enough to make up for the lack of medical practice.” It would be nothing to the holdings of a duke, but it had been more than satisfactory to Patrick.

The duke nodded approval.” The captain of Matilda was ambitious.”

It was the truth, but the duke stated it as though he already knew it for a fact. Had he made an effort to discover this, or had Ambrosia revealed it to him?

“A very ambitious captain, indeed your grace.” He would have made enough to retire on land and live, have a house and start a family should he wish for one.

“Your record is admirable,” said the duke as he continued,” Other than your brief flirtation with the church of Rome while you were in Spain.”

So he had read the record then. And the warning put there by the captain, for the time he had spent there conversing with the priests. “ It was curiosity. Nothing more.”

And a desire to find a cure for his spiritual malediction from a clergy that was bound to secrecy. In the end the priest had looked at him with pity and disgust and then had given him the beads and the prayer, almost as Patrick might have prescribed a medicine.

It had done no good.

“It is strange, I mean, I do feel honoured of course, but still it is strange for you to have taken interest in my interest.” Patrick allowed himself the candid observation. The meddling in his affairs by a stranger annoyed him.” I do not mean to bother ambrosia with it, if that is what you fear.”

“Not at all, sir,” said the duke hastily.” I merely wished to take your measure.”

“Then consider it done. I am what you see before you, no more, no less. In the future, if you have a question, you might ask me directly and I will answer it honestly and to the best of my ability. For Ambrosia’s sake, if for no other reason.”

Did invoking her name make it sound any less rude?

“I see,” the duke said.

“I wonder if you do?” asked Patrick too tired to play the games that they were playing to dissemble.” I might have as well sworn you on all that is holy. Such an oath would have had no more strength than my wish to for Ambrosia’s continued well being. No matter what you suspect, I want what is best for her.” And then he admitted begrudgingly,” If it is true from what I have been hearing, she might be fortunate enough to be on the cusp of a great match indeed.”

Rather than answer this, the duke merely shrugged. It was strange, rather than boyish response from one so confident.” I have hopes, but it is up to the lady, is it not?”

“I wish her well then,” Patrick added.” She deserves all the happiness in her life and the best that the life offers. I have no reason to think that she is not about to receive it.”

The duke gave him a long slow look in response to this, as though trying to decide if he believed it. At last, he answered,” I am happy to hear you say so.  Should I be the future you predict then I shall do my best to be worthy of her.”

This made Patrick look at him with an equally probing look. He could have understood a warning to stay away. But this seemed to indicate that the duke sought his approval which was not necessary.

The silence fell between them again. It was even heavier this time, like the exhausted rest of men who had fought each other and were waiting between rounds to regain their breath.

Into the tense pause came Ambrose. As though she had not been in between them for the whole time, thought Patrick with an ironic smile.

“I have returned to you,” she announced.