Chapter 12

CHAPTER TWELVE

D aniel sat next to Miss Montrose on the picnic blanket after they had washed. His servants had prepared a feast. There was an assortment of cold meats, bread, cheese, and fresh fruit in the basket. The scent of fresh scones and cream filled the air. Miss Montrose poured them each a glass of lemonade, the cool drink a refreshing counterpoint to the warmth of the day.

"Thank you for this, Captain Blackwood," Miss Montrose said, taking a sip of her lemonade. "It's a perfect way to spend the afternoon."

Daniel smiled, feeling a warmth in his chest that had nothing to do with the sun. "It's my pleasure, Miss Montrose. I enjoy these moments of peace and simplicity."

They ate in comfortable silence for a few moments, the sounds of the garden creating a peaceful backdrop.

"I loved picnics when I was younger. One day I was particularly determined to have a picnic," she began, her voice filled with nostalgic amusement.

Daniel leaned in, intrigued. "Oh? And what happened on that day?"

She laughed, her eyes dancing. "Well, as luck would have it, that day turned out to be one of the rainiest we'd ever had. The skies opened up, and it poured for hours. But I was so stubborn—I refused to let the rain ruin my plans. So, my mother suggested that we have our picnic indoors."

Daniel raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "An indoor picnic? I have never heard of such a thing."

She grinned, her cheeks dimpling with the memory. "I am sure I had not either. We spread a blanket out on the floor in the drawing room, laid out all the food, and pretended we were outside. It was wonderful. We ate, laughed, and listened to the rain pattering against the windows. It felt like a grand adventure." She gave a wistful sigh.

Daniel chuckled, the sound deep and warm. "That sounds delightful, Miss Montrose. Your determination to still have your picnic is admirable."

Her smile softened, a touch of wistfulness entering her eyes. "It was one of those simple, happy moments that stayed with me. I've always loved picnics ever since, even if they're indoors."

"And have you had many picnics indoors?"

She shook her head sadly. "At first I think I wanted a picnic indoors every day. It lasted for a few days, and then the weather was so pleasant we moved back outside. It was shortly after that rainy day that my parents both passed away. I do not believe I've had a picnic like that since."

Daniel watched the woman before him. She seemed to handle life with composure. No doubt the memories still stung for her, but she seemed to handle it with resilience. "I have never had a picnic indoors before."

She smiled at him. The melancholy that had started to settle on her seemed to dissipate like the early morning fog when touched by the sunshine. "You should consider it, Captain. It is quite amusing, from what I remember. Of course, you will have to wait for a very rainy day to have such a picnic. It would be quite the waste of sunshine to be indoors for a picnic on a day like today."

"I shall keep that in mind, Miss Montrose. Perhaps you would like to join me for this indoor picnic," he said, wondering how soon a rainstorm would come during the summer – when he'd be able to hold the indoor event. It wouldn't be soon enough for his liking.

"I should like that, Captain," she said.

He smiled at her. He was coming to realize just how much he enjoyed spending time with her. The idea still felt novel to him. Over the last several years, his companions were his soldiers and his commanders. He did not always have a say in whose company he was in. Being in Miss Montrose's company felt different. "During the war, there were times when we had no choice but to eat in the rain. Quite often, actually. There were weeks when we didn't dry out. Everything was wet—our clothes, our tents, even our food."

Miss Montrose's eyes widened, her heart aching at the thought. "That sounds miserable. How did you manage?"

Daniel shrugged, a hint of a smile still lingering on his lips. "We had no other choice. We adapted. It was just part of the reality we had to endure. But hearing your story, it makes me realize how precious those small comforts can be."

Miss Montrose reached out, placing her hand over his. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, Captain. I can't even begin to imagine what it must have been like."

Daniel looked down at their joined hands, a warmth spreading through him at her touch. "Thank you, Miss Montrose. I hope you do not dwell on it." He nodded toward the flowerbeds where they'd planted all the seeds and transplants that Miss Montrose had brought over. "I cannot believe how much we accomplished in such a short amount of time."

Miss Montrose nodded. "They will need more water today and tomorrow to help them survive the transplant, but after that I believe they will adjust."

"Thank you for your help today. I very much appreciate it."

"What are neighbors for?" She said, smiling. "But do not thank me just yet. We still have more flower beds to work on. This is just the start. "

He liked the idea of spending more time with Miss Montrose, but he knew that he couldn't just rely on her kindness and generosity. "I wish to return the favor," he said.

She tilted her head. "You wish to give me transplants from your garden for me to plant in mine?" She pointed to a spot on the far side of his property where the flowerbed was overgrown with weeds. Her eyes sparkled. "Forgive me, but for my part, I do not wish for those kinds of transplants."

He laughed at her joke. "I should never presume to taint your garden with such weeds. But I do wish to return the favor."

She gestured to the meal. "You have already done more than enough with this." She popped a grape into her mouth.

"This is hardly anything."

"And you have agreed to an indoor picnic. So truly, it is more than generous."

He nodded, but he didn't agree with the stubborn woman who sat in front of him, without a bonnet, with those errant curls framing her lovely face. He would find something meaningful that he felt was a true favor, not just the things that civility demanded. He just needed to think more about it.

They continued talking as they ate, their conversation lighter than their earlier ones about war and her parents. They compared opinions on books, and London, and favorite desserts. He learned about her, but mostly he enjoyed being in her company and listening to what she thought about a variety of subjects. She was unafraid to speak her mind.

They were almost finished with their lunch, and Daniel tried to think of a reason to prolong their time together a little longer. "Miss Montrose, do you like riding?"

She smiled, leaning back on her hands. "It's been years since I've been riding, but I enjoyed it as a child. Do you enjoy it, Captain?"

He nodded. "Yes, I do. Would you like to go for a ride this afternoon?"

Her eyebrows rose, but before she could respond, the sound of footsteps on the gravel path turned their attention.

"Miss Montrose," a man said from afar off, approaching very quickly.

Miss Montrose looked up in surprise. "What is Mr. Everly doing here?"

"I do not know. Were you expecting a call?" Daniel recalled how he had danced with Miss Montrose at the Assembly, and annoyance coursed through him. He tamped down the feeling. Mr. Everly was not an enemy.

"I am not expecting any calls. How curious."

Daniel was content to stay where he was and didn't feel the need to rise in the man's presence. Mr. Everly was not his commander or his superior in any way, so he merely nodded as the man looked between Miss Montrose and himself.

Mr. Everly looked a little flustered. "Here you are, Miss Montrose. I have been looking for you."

"Good afternoon, Mr. Everly." Miss Montrose's voice was pleasant.

Daniel didn't like the man in front of him, but he smiled. Perhaps this was a battlefield after all. "How did you go about finding Miss Montrose here?" Daniel smiled, but kept a sharp eye on Mr. Everly, watching for his tells.

Mr. Everly glanced at Daniel, his face slightly red, before he looked back to Miss Montrose to answer the question. "Your housekeeper assured me I should be able to find you here if you weren't in your back gardens." He smiled broadly.

Miss Montrose tilted her head slightly. "She knows that I enjoy being in gardens," she mused. "I have been helping Captain Blackwood with flowers this morning."

Daniel didn't like the way Mr. Everly frowned as he surveyed their picnic.

"I see." He cleared his throat. "As I have already said, I have been looking for you. I was hoping we could still attend the Royal Pavilion together."

Miss Montrose smiled. "I did not think we made plans for any specific day."

Mr. Everly's cheeks turned red. "Yes, well. I thought today would be as good as any. That is, if you would still like to attend? "

"We are not quite finished with our meal," Miss Montrose began to say.

"It is quite all right," Daniel said.

Miss Montrose tilted her head, a question in her eyes. "Were we not going to ride horses this afternoon?"

Daniel glanced toward Mr. Everly, and for a moment, the puffy clouds behind his head looked like smoke coming from his ears. "Perhaps it is best if we save that outing for another day. It is clear Mr. Everly is most anxious to take you to the Royal Pavilion."

A crease formed between her eyes, and he wished that he was permitted to smooth such a look away. "Very well. We shall postpone our ride to another day. Have you seen the Royal Pavilion, Captain? I hear it is quite lovely. Perhaps you would like to join us and gain some inspiration."

Daniel looked toward Mr. Everly. It was clear the man did not want Daniel to be included in the outing, if the way his veins throbbing in his neck meant anything. For a moment, he thought about the amusement he would gain if he did join the two of them. But that was a silly notion. Just because he was back in Brighton didn't mean that he had to go to all the places in the city. If he never went to the Royal Pavilion again, it would be too soon. And he certainly didn't think it was a good idea to go there with his neighbor. But if war had taught him anything, there was some diplomacy that could be applied here. "I have seen the Royal Pavilion before. I should not wish to intrude."

"You wouldn't be intruding," Miss Montrose said quickly.

But Mr. Everly's look said otherwise.

Interesting. Very interesting. Daniel smiled at the contrast. "Perhaps another time," he placated, knowing that there would never be another time. And that was fine. He would spend time with his neighbor, without the memories of a place like the Royal Pavilion.

He stood, and before Mr. Everly could offer his hand, Daniel stretched out his hand and offered it to Miss Montrose. She took it without hesitation and he helped her to her feet.

"Thank you for the lovely morning and for the picnic," Miss Montrose said quietly.

"You are welcome," Daniel said. "Tomorrow?"

She smiled at him. "Until tomorrow, Captain."

Mr. Everly looked between the two of them, his jaw clenched. "Are you ready, Miss Montrose? My carriage is just over there."

Miss Montrose smiled. "If you would be so good as to meet me at my house, I shall be ready soon. I shall take the path between the hedge and retrieve my bonnet."

Mr. Everly nodded, his voice clipped as he acknowledged Daniel. "Good day, Captain Blackwood."

Daniel nodded back. "Mr. Everly."