Chapter Six #2
He was right this time, too. The only thing he felt towards Meridith was friendship, and that was exactly how it would stay.
Therefore, as soon as the two of them returned to Hugo’s shelter and she’d fed the elephant the other squash, Drake thanked her again for her assistance and then bid her a good afternoon, after walking with her as far as the main gate of the zoo.
Out of courtesy he had offered her a ride home, which, thankfully, she had declined—thankfully, because he needed to put some distance between them. For her sake as much as for his.
One of the first things a good sea captain learned was to listen to his gut beyond all else, and right now, his gut was telling him that the more time he spent in Meridith’s company, the more he’d start hashing over feelings and decisions that had already been proven right.
That was as much of a warning sign as a red sky in the morning.
That, too, was something every good sailor learned: Red sky at night, a sailor’s delight; red sky in the morning, sailor take warning.
Right now, he was going to take warning. Meridith was too likeable. She was just… Just someone he should keep his distance from.
Meridith detoured through Avenue Gardens on her way home.
The blooming flowers and sculpted evergreen hedges were as lovely as ever, and though she admired them, they didn’t hold her attention as they normally did.
Her mind was distracted. Even when she sat down on the bench to admire the winged lions carved from stone, her mind was elsewhere.
Riding Hugo had been an adventure, but the true joy had been in sharing the experience with so many children. They had all behaved wonderfully, as had Hugo. It was unfathomable to think of an animal that large being so gentle and kind. Undeniably, that directly related to his training.
And that thought led her directly to Drake.
Actually, despite the adventures of the day, Drake was what—or rather, who—filled her mind. Something had happened today. Something between them. She didn’t know what it was, or how to describe it, not even to herself.
Whatever it was, it had happened after the rides had ended, while she was talking with Rosemary and Lady Montgomery.
Rosemary had mentioned how wonderful it was of Drake to offer so many rides.
Agreeing, Meridith had glanced his way, and when their gazes had met, she’d felt something deep inside her.
It had been more powerful than the flutters he always provoked.
It had felt as if something had moved. Shifted in a way she couldn’t define.
It worried her.
She’d already determined that Drake was likeable, charming, and his positive attitude was refreshing, but this feeling inside her went beyond that.
He’d offered to give her a ride home, but she’d declined, because she wanted time to reflect on what she was feeling and why.
It just wasn’t like her to enjoy someone’s company so much.
That alone should make her have a sense of ambivalence towards him, because she shouldn’t want to enjoy his company.
They truly didn’t have anything in common.
Well, that wasn’t true. They both loved animals, enjoyed children, and liked seeing others happy.
She herself had been happier since meeting him than she’d felt in a long time.
Which was only two days. That was how long she’d known him.
And, quite honestly, who wouldn’t be happy about riding an elephant and seeing so many children ecstatic over such an activity?
That was the kind of thing that couldn’t happen every day, so her happiness was sure not to last forever, either. Drake would be leaving soon, and she would still be here, in a life where her family was trying to marry her off.
Still, he had introduced her to Rosemary, the Duchess of Turnbill, who was a wonderful person.
Someone who Meridith would like to have as a friend.
She’d already declined Rosemary’s invitation to join her and her husband for dinner that evening, but sitting there on the bench, staring at the huge, winged lion vase, Meridith changed her mind.
There was no reason why she couldn’t go, and she would genuinely enjoy getting to know the duchess even more.
She hadn’t had friends of her own since returning from Bath.
Actually, the only time she’d really had friends, had been while she’d been in school.
There was something to what Drake had said about deciding to be happy. That was exactly what she felt right now about deciding to accept Rosemary’s invitation to dinner this evening. If she wanted to be happy, she should do things that made her happy.
With a nod to herself, she stood up and proceeded to walk the rest of the way home, where she penned a note and gave it to Mr Kent to be delivered to the Duchess of Turnbill post-haste.
After that, she searched her wardrobe for a dress to wear this evening.
That, too, made her happy: choosing what to wear rather than waiting to be told.
Having decided upon a lavender gown with a fitted waist and matching flowered hat, she encountered a dip in her joy when a knock sounded on her bedroom door, and she was informed that her brother wanted to see her in his study.
Fearful that he would forbid her from going to dinner this evening, she bolstered her courage by silently telling herself she wouldn’t let that happen.
She wanted to go and she would go, despite whatever Peter had to say.
Steadfast, she knocked on the door of his study and upon his permission, entered the room with her chin up. ‘You wanted to see me?’ she asked, closing the door behind her.
He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. ‘It’s come to my attention that you assisted in providing children with rides on the elephant at the zoo this morning.’
His tone wasn’t harsh, yet she knew how formidable he could seem at times, even to her.
Today, though, she wasn’t going to let it intimidate her.
Crossing the room, she stopped next to his desk and kept her gaze locked with his.
‘I did. It was very enjoyable. Had I not been forbidden from taking others to the zoo with me, I would have invited Mary and the boys to join me,’ she said, referring to his daughter and sons.
‘I believe they would have enjoyed it as much as all the other children did.’
She couldn’t say what flashed across his face. It may have been surprise, or it may have been irritation. Her unusual straightforwardness could have evoked either, or both.
He gave a slight nod before asking, ‘Would you happen to know when the rides will be offered again?’
‘Not at this time, but I will find out and gladly take the children with me on the next occurrence.’
‘They would enjoy that very much,’ he said, and then leaned forward and rested his hands on his desk.
‘Would it be possible for you to learn when that might be today? I would like to know so that when the children learn about the rides, I’m able to tell them when they will be able to experience it, as well. ’
Meridith had never been in the position where Peter needed something from her.
In many ways, he reminded her of their father, including how he clearly loved his children and did his best to provide them with everything they needed and with what they wanted.
She loved her nieces and nephews, too. All of them, and would enjoy seeing them experience the adventure that many other children had experienced today.
She felt a sense of disappointment in having to tell him the truth.
‘I’m sorry, but I don’t believe the information will be available for a few days.
A schedule is being created and will be posted as soon as it’s ready.
I will send a message to Mr Andrews, asking him to inform me as soon as it’s ready. ’
‘Couldn’t you ask Captain Taylor?’
‘I don’t believe he would know. Mr Andrews and Mr Ratnam will be creating the schedule,’ she replied. Furthermore, she had no idea when she’d see Drake again.
‘I see,’ Peter said. ‘Well, then, I’d like to ask that you not share with the children about the rides at the zoo today until they too can look forward to their own rides.’
‘Of course,’ she replied.
‘Thank you,’ he said, with a smile that was indeed sincere.
She stood where she was, waiting for the smile to disappear and for him to bring up the dinner invitation she had accepted for the evening.
He lifted a brow. ‘Is there something else you wanted to discuss?’
‘Not necessarily,’ she replied.
He frowned slightly. ‘Then is there something I can help you with?’
Perhaps he hadn’t heard about the message she’d sent to the duchess. If that was the case, she’d prefer to keep it that way. ‘No, nothing that I’m aware of.’
He nodded slowly, then replied, ‘If there ever is, you can come to me. I’ll do whatever I can to help.’
Once again, she saw nothing but sincerity on his face and heard it in his voice. ‘I know.’ She gave him a nod and turned about, walked to the door.
‘Oh, one more thing, Meridith,’ he said.
Her hand was on the doorknob, and she squeezed the metal a bit harder as she twisted her neck enough to look over her shoulder.
‘Enjoy your evening with the Duke and Duchess of Turnbill,’ he said, smiling. ‘Please give them my best.’
‘I will, thank you,’ she replied, and left the room, not sure if she was smiling because he hadn’t been able to keep her from attending the dinner or because he hadn’t even tried.
It truly didn’t matter. She was simply happy to be going and happy that she would be able to take her nieces and nephews to the zoo again.
Her thoughts quickly circled back around to Drake, and she wondered when she might see him again.
It was an unusual thought for her to have about any man, but she had to be honest with herself. She hoped it would be soon.