Free Upon Your Return by Marie Lavender

offer to speak about current events or the goings-on in the town. They all stared at their food, helpless to contribute. Not that Fara blamed them or herself for that matter.
    It was a disconcerting meal. The tension in the room was so great that when a utensil grazed a glass or plate, the staccato beat echoed far and wide. Michel de Bellamont did not hesitate to bore his gaze into Grant from time to time as if he was a dueling target.
    After the dishes had been cleared away, they retreated to the lounge, where she e ntertained herself at the pianoforte. Both Grant and her uncle sipped burgundy by the fireplace, staring blankly into the flames.
    “Might I chance to question you about the night I met your niece?”
    Fara, unsettled, hit a faulty key on the piano, dropping her hand with an anxious feeling. No one seemed to notice the off-key stroke. Her uncle would not like that a person of mediocre reputation dared to question his motives.
    He lifted the glass to his lips and sipped. “I believe we all know the circumstances of the situation...”
    Grant nodded, briefly assessing the man's expression. “ Oui , and what, may I ask, did you do with the gentleman your niece was to meet at the docks, Monsieur ?”
    “I was unable to locate Monsieur Le Croíx for I hear a family member died, and it seems he took a carriage immediately to Nantes.”
    “How convenient. Does the situation seem curious, Monsieur ? His timing is rather impeccable to have escaped the wrath of Mademoiselle Bellamont's dear uncle.”
    The man smiled as if pleased by Grant's choice of words or the prospect of Monsieur Le Croíx fearing him. “ Oui ,” he agreed.
    Grant studied him for moments and went on. “There are other avenues of locating such a man, Monsieur , if that is your wish. I might be able to--”
    Her uncle's jaw tightened instinctively. “I assure you, La Capitaine , I am able to handle my own affairs...”
    “Of course, Monsieur . I meant nothing by it.”
    His body relaxed as he acknowledged Grant. “Now, down to business...what is it you really want from my niece?”
    Grant glanced at Fara, who now stood by the piano observing them, and his gaze returned to the old man. “I do not know what you mean.”
    “Oh, Capitaine Hill, do not play simpleminded with me. My niece claims you rescued her and brought her aboard La Voyageur to your very own cabin.”
    He nodded. “That is the truth, Monsieur .”
    “You realize the implications of such an act.”
    “I do. But, nothing happened.”
    “Then you understand the need for discretion.”
    “Of course.”
    “And what are your intentions regarding her?”
    Grant sighed. “I am afraid, Monsieur , that you will have to be blunt for I don't understand what you're implying...”
    “ Mon Dieu ! All I want to know is if you are a gentleman who rescued my niece in a time of need, or just a captain long at sea who waits for me to leave town so that he may have his way with her.”
    “ Oncle !” Her eyes widened. She felt mortified at her uncle's perversity.
    “Silence, Fara,” he said sternly and she looked away.
    Grant swallowed hard, clearly insulted by her uncle's lewd implication. He was a ship's captain. It was an honorable profession. Why must her uncle liken it to that of pond scum? It wasn't as if Grant held no respect within their social circles. Though, she shouldn't delude herself. The respect he held obviously wasn't enough to stifle the rumors concerning her encounter with him.
    Grant's stare was hard, unmoving. “Like a gentleman, I will defend my honor for that night. I was there only to protect your niece from impending danger and nothing else. I did right by her; I did not make any advances upon her maidenly state. She will testify to that. I'm sure even her nursemaid could tell you the same if you perchance do not believe what I have to say. I'll not lie to you though, Monsieur . Your niece is a very beautiful woman, but hardly experienced. She is a lady and will