Free Her Captain's Heart by Lyn Cote Page B

and rubbed his chin. “I don’t know what I can do about it.”
    â€œI know I can’t do anything about it, but you might say something.”
    â€œIt could just make matters worse.”
    â€œI hope you’ll think this over, Dace. If anyone can stop Dyke, it would be you.”
    He turned to leave.
    â€œMatt,” Dace said, stopping him. “Where is the Quaker from, do you know?”
    Matt thought this an odd question, but replied, “Pennsylvania.”
    Dace folded his hands in front of his mouth and stared out the window opposite him. “I don’t like the idea of Yankees coming here and telling us how to live our lives. But it’s like we are already in the coffin and they’re tossing dirt on our heads and we don’t even object.”
    Matt looked directly into Dace’s eyes. “Change is inevitable.” He didn’t think he needed to say that even in the aftermath of the disastrous war, Ransford Manor was still the largest plantation for miles. And if Dace Ransford were in favor of something, people paused before they opposed it.
    â€œWell, I’ve taken care of my obligation to my mother. The next time we meet, I’ll just be the Yankee working for the Freedman’s Bureau.” Matt left without looking back, something he should have done fourteen years ago.

Chapter Five
    I n the autumn afternoon with golden leaves fluttering above, Verity turned to see Matthew coming toward her on the road back to town. She waited for him to catch up. Her mood lifted at the sight of him; after all, Fiddlers Grove didn’t abound with friendly faces. And there was something so competent about him, so focused. He was not a man who sought the easy path. Or who would give up easily.
    She knew he wished she had arrived after he’d left Fiddlers Grove, but having him here was a great comfort to her. Of course, she wouldn’t embarrass him by saying that. The wind had ruffled his dark hair, giving him a raffish look. She turned away so as not to betray her reaction.
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” he asked, breathing a bit fast from his short sprint.
    â€œI came here to hire our housekeeper. I asked Hannah if she could recommend someone and she said she could recommend herself.” Verity smiled. She valued frankness in a world where people rarely told one another what they were really thinking. Like this man. She turned his own question back on him, asking, “What is thee here for?”
    â€œMrs. Ransford overheard you at the parsonage,” he said, ignoring her question. “The whole town will know now what we’re here for.”
    The wind had loosened the ribbons on her bonnet. Turning her back to the wind, she retied them tighter. “Was our work here to remain a secret?” Like thy reasons for returning to a town that wouldn’t welcome thee home?
    â€œWhat did you mean trying to rent the church for the school?” he scolded. “Surely you knew what the vicar’s response would be.”
    â€œAnd what was his response?” she asked, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. Much better to be amused by his overbearing behavior than to take offense. Men always liked to think that only women gossiped, but men did it, too, as Matthew had just demonstrated. If he continued scolding her, she’d go ahead and ask about his cousin and this town. It’s not just nosiness, Lord. I need to know so I don’t say things I shouldn’t, assume things I shouldn’t and cause trouble I could avoid.
    He scowled at her. “I’m sure it was not favorable.”
    From the corner of her eye she glimpsed movement behind her. She glanced over her shoulder and saw a stray dog following them. He looked like some kind of hound, with drooping ears, a long face with large brown eyes and a brown matted coat. The sight of his ribs almost pushing through his hide wrung her heart. Poor creature.
    â€œNo one is