The Admiral's Daughter

and heirs. You will not find a difficulty there, I believe.'

'You—for th' sake of appearances you'd take a wife an' lie with another?' Kydd choked. 'Then I pity my poor sister.'

Renzi went white. 'Let me remind you, sir,' he said dangerously, 'it is you who are discontented with your lot. I do strongly advise you consider your position carefully and put an end to this ridiculous posturing.'

'Thomas, my dear, so good to see you again. How are you?' Cecilia poured the tea and regarded her brother with undisguised affection. 'The talk in town is all about your brave deeds in the storm. You really should take more care—it's so very dangerous in a gale.'

'Yes, sis,' Kydd said, accepting his cup.

'And how's Nicholas? You've both been gone for so long on your expeditions.'

'He's well, Cec, but why I'm here is, er, I need y'r advice.'

'Oh, don't worry about it! A wedding is really the concern of the womenfolk. They'll see everything is right on the day.'

'No! It's—it's not that. Y' see, um, something's happened.'

Cecilia saw his set face and sat up. 'Then you'd better tell me about it, Thomas,' she said quietly.

In the bare telling it sounded so thin and illogical. When he had finished Cecilia said nothing, staring at him, troubled.

'Now, let me be clear about this, Thomas. In just a week or so you have discovered deep feelings for this Rosalynd that cannot be denied.'

'Aye,' Kydd said miserably. 'It happened so quick, Cec, an' it's knocked m' feelings askew.'

'This is very serious, Thomas.'

'I know,' he whispered. 'Can I ask it, sis—is it right to marry one while thinkin' on another?'

Cecilia looked at him sharply, then melted, leaning to clasp his hands in hers. 'You dear sweet boy, you know the answer to that.'

She drew out her handkerchief and wiped a tear, then continued in a practical tone: 'So, now there are decisions to be made. And these are, it seems to me, one of three: cast Rosalynd out of your mind and marry Persephone; continue with the wedding to Persephone and make other arrangements for Rosalynd; and the last is to cast out Persephone and be wed to Rosalynd.'

Kydd said nothing, gazing at her as if mesmerised.

'You might consider delaying in the hope that your feelings change?'

'I—I feel it worse every day.'

'I see. Then we must find a resolution, and for this, I believe, I must ask you some hard questions.'

Kydd nodded and braced himself.

'Do you love Miss Lockwood?'

'She's the most handsome and intelligent woman I've ever met, an' that's the truth.'

'Do you love her?'

Wretchedly, Kydd tried to escape Cecilia's accusing eyes. 'Look, Cec, it's not that, it's—it's that when I see Rosalynd she's such a tender innocent an' I want to love her an' protect her, but Persephone, she—she doesn't need me t' protect her. She's strong an' knows things and . . .' The lump in his throat made it difficult to carry on. 'And Rosalynd is carefree an' loves simple things—I don't feel I have t' be polite an' play a part all th' time.' Tears pricked. 'She talks t' me and I c'n feel her words inside me . . .' Sobs choked him.

'Thomas! Listen to me! There's a terrible flood coming and you must save one and lose the other. Only one— who is it to be?'

Kydd shook his head in anguish.

'You must answer!' she demanded forcefully. 'Soon one will vanish from your life for ever—for ever! Which one will you miss the most?'

The tears were blinding but Cecilia spared him nothing.

'Which one?'

'Rosalynd!' he shouted hoarsely. 'It's Rosalynd I can't bear to leave.' He stood in agony, tears coursing down his cheeks. 'I can't help it! God help me, Cecilia, I can't help it.'

She held him while the storm passed, saying nothing but rocking him slowly.

When it was over he stood away from her, his fists bunching helplessly as he fought to regain his composure. 'I—I'm sorry, Cec,' he gulped. 'We—we men are a lubberly crew when it comes t' this sort o' thing.'

'Dear sweet brother, please don't say you're sorry. This is all because you're such a good man—you see?' She sighed and looked at him lovingly. 'You've answered your own question and, to be frank, it's not altogether a surprise to me.'

Kydd swallowed.

'Yes—do you mind if I say something very cruel to you, Thomas?'

'If y' must, Cec.'

'I do believe that you've been infatuated not with Persephone Lockwood but with what she is, the world she comes from, all that pomp and finery. And the pity of it is that, of a certainty, she loves you.'