Page 28 of The Spinster's Secret Scoundrel
An answering rumble of indignance came from the spectators scattered around the tavern room. Caden in particular looked thunderous.
Never mind that immediately below their feet were hundreds of pounds’ worth of smuggled goods hidden in the tunnels leading out to sea.
“Explain yourself,” Leacham demanded, in a transparent attempt to assert his authority. Thierry had never cared for authority, though he recognized that there were times when order was necessary. On a ship, for example. Yet the Excise Officer was clearly the kind of man who used power to bully those weaker than himself.
Like Ada.
“I have chosen to resettle here in Cavalier Cove, and I am hoping to start a new life with Miss Adeline Naughton. Search my person. You’ll find no evidence of smuggling, but you will find a written agreement to purchase Prescott’s cottage, along with a receipt for a deposit paid.”
“I suppose I’ll find a ring for my niece, too?” Leacham sneered.
And this was her kindest relative? No wonder she was cripplingly shy around people.
“Alas, I have not yet secured one.” He risked a glance at Ada, whose posture was that of a slowly opening bud. Had he read anything but wonder and wariness in her, he’d have stopped. He didn’t, and therefore kept going.
But the man beside her scowled and took her arm and squeezed.
“You can’t marry her. I already proposed.”
Ada jerked away. “I did not say yes.”
He gaped at her in astonishment. “Your uncle said it for you. Promised to set us up right proper, keep an eye on things in this town.”
Thierry flinched inwardly to think what a disaster that would be for her. To marry a representative of the Excise Office and live here, amongst a village where smuggling was the economic lifeblood? Her isolation now would be a shadow of what she’d experience if she married her uncle’s choice of husband.
“Where else would you go, Ada? Back to your father’s house? You know you’re not wanted there.”
“The girl can stay here,” came a female voice from behind them. “She’s one of us.”
Leacham scoffed. “My niece is not a smuggler.”
“No. She isn’t.” Maggie, the tavern-owners’ daughter, moved to stand near Ada. “She might be shy and we haven’t always been the most welcoming, on account of her connection with you lot, but Miss Naughton has been in Cavalier Cove for three years. This is her home now. If she wants to stay, she stays. We’ll put her up, won’t we, Papa?”
Caden, unsmiling, nodded once. Derwa moved to stand near her husband, her expression grim and defensive. “Got a room upstairs, if she can abide the noise.”
“I can’t allow that,” Leacham declared. “It’s unseemly for a woman to stay at an inn.”
“Then I’ll take her in,” Betsey Briars declared. “Ada’s a good neighbor. Even if she occasionally forgets to bring me a custard like she promised.”
She winked at Ada.
Thierry hadn’t anticipated the townspeople coming to Ada’s defense. He was overwhelmed with a swell of gratitude. Clearly, she was more well-liked than she knew.
“It’s not your decision, Uncle Patrick,” Ada said, quietly. “It’s mine. I choose to stay here.” She shook off the man holding her by the arm and moved closer to Thierry. His heart skipped a beat. “I wish to marry Thomas Davies and remain in Cavalier Cove.”
Thierry grinned.
Leacham’s scowl deepened. “Too bad. You’re either marrying my Rider or going home to your parents. This fraud has apparently seduced you—God, Ada, how can you be so terminally stupid as to fall for every charlatan that shows you an ounce of attention—”
“How can you show me so little respect?”
Her uncle snorted with derision. “You lost all entitlement to respect when you pulled up your skirts to lay with your betrothed in a field—”
A gasp. The Riding Officer who’d attempted to claim her hand moments before edged away. Ada’s face crumpled.
Thierry’s heart broke for her. He tried to go to her, but the Excise Officer holding the gun bade him stay where he was.
“How could you say that in front of all these people?” Betsey cried out. “What kind of man publicly shames his own kin?”
