Captured by Love (Michigan Brides #3)(17)
Protest rose swiftly inside Angelique. How could he say such a thing? She never gave him any trouble. In fact, she always tried to go out of her way to avoid him.
“Then this is indeed a meeting orchestrated by God himself,” Miss McDouall said. “My father wasn’t quite sure that he wanted a lady like myself to come to this remote and desolate area of the wilderness, but I assured him God had put a call on my life. I’ve been quite willing to sacrifice my own comfort so that I can be of help to someone less fortunate than myself.”
“Someone less fortunate?” Angelique blurted the words before she could stop them. She didn’t need Miss McDouall’s charity, especially when there were others who would benefit from it much more than her. “I can help you find islanders in need of your generosity. There is one widow in particular who is blind and could use help planting her fields and repairing her roof.”
Miss McDouall’s smile faltered. “I regret to hear of the widow, Miss MacKenzie.” She smoothed her white gloves over the glossy layers of her gown. “But as you can see, I’m not exactly a farmer. I’m afraid I wouldn’t do the poor woman any good at all.”
“Of course not,” Ebenezer said, frowning at Angelique, his narrowed eyes telling her she would pay for her obstinate remark later. “You’re much more suited to bestow your kindness upon another young woman, like Angelique.”
“I agree, Mr. Whiley. We all do have varying gifts and abilities. I have come to cheer up the soldiers with dances and parties. I hope to form a Soldiers Relief Committee with the purpose of helping provide better clothes and food for our soldiers. And I would like to bestow my personal attention to one of the island’s more unfortunate women.”
Unfortunate? Angelique wanted to shrink in embarrassment.
“After all,” Miss McDouall continued, “I do seem to have a talent for helping less fortunate women better themselves.”
“I for one will be grateful for any changes you can bring about in Angelique.”
Miss McDouall clapped her hands together again and her smile returned. “Then I shall start at once. I would like to offer an invitation for Miss MacKenzie to join me for tea this afternoon in the officers’ quarters in the fort. Shall we say at half past three?”
Ebenezer spoke hurriedly. “Angelique might be too busy today.”
Angelique wanted to laugh at the thought of her being busy—not when she’d be in her dark dormer room doing nothing.
Miss McDouall’s smile disappeared altogether, and her expression turned petulant. “I really have no time to waste. My father insists that I leave the island by the end of the summer. If I am to help Miss MacKenzie, then I shall need to take advantage of every opportunity I have.”
“Yes, but she must fish. We rely on her fishing—”
“Could she not fish this morning?”
Ebenezer didn’t say anything. The silence was filled with the clinking of mugs and clanking of silverware from Betty’s table-clearing efforts.
“I’m sure Miss MacKenzie wouldn’t mind changing her plans just slightly, would you, dear?” Miss McDouall had turned her sweetest smile upon Angelique.
If only the woman knew just how little control Angelique had over her schedule. “I’m willing, yes, but I must do whatever my stepfather wishes.”
The soldier near the door stepped out of the shadows. “Mr. Whiley, I suggest you accommodate Miss McDouall’s request as best you can.”
Angelique took a quick step backward. It was Lieutenant Steele, the quartermaster, the same soldier that had attacked her two mornings ago.
The lieutenant was dressed in a fresh uniform that had likely been among the items on the supply ships. The red of his new coat was brilliant in the morning sunshine streaming through the doorway. And although his handsome face was still thin, he’d shaven and had lost the wild, ravenous glint.
“Commander McDouall is very supportive of his daughter’s charity efforts,” the quartermaster continued. “I suggest you do whatever you can to support her efforts as well.”
Did Lieutenant Steele remember her?
Angelique resisted the urge to touch her neck and the bruises he’d left.
He didn’t bother looking at her. And his face was stiff and impersonal. If he’d recalled their encounter, he apparently wasn’t going to reveal it.
“Well,” Ebenezer said slowly, “if you feel it would be best for Angelique to visit you today—”
“I do,” Miss McDouall interrupted. “I’d be ever so grateful to you.”
Ebenezer looked at Angelique. She could sense he didn’t want to release her from her discipline, yet what choice did he have? He couldn’t refuse Miss McDouall’s request, not with the lieutenant standing by.
“Run along and do your fishing now, dear, if you must.” Miss McDouall fanned her hand at Angelique, shooing her away. “Just make sure you’re ready at half past three for our tea. I shall send Lieutenant Steele after you to accompany you to the fort.”
Angelique stifled a shiver at the thought of having to be alone with Lieutenant Steele again. “Thank you, Miss McDouall. I’ll be waiting.” And then before anyone could stop her, she turned and sped through the kitchen toward the back door.
She knew she ought to feel grateful for Miss McDouall’s invitation. It would mean food and an escape from Ebenezer’s overbearing control for part of the day. But she couldn’t shake the feeling again, that an association with Miss McDouall would only bring her trouble, especially after she’d worked so hard to stay invisible.