He had expressed great concern, bringing the matter up with the town’s justices, but Miss Watkinson was not satisfied.
“We need these miscreants laid by the heels. I refuse to have my morning bathe curtailed in this fashion. It is too bad. Why, the season has barely begun.”
On the warpath, to the general entertainment of the company gathered in Weymouth for the summer, she sent for the militia. Lady Matterson seized the opportunity to beard the captain.
“Never mind all this nonsensical lamentation, sir. A piece of work about nothing! What news have you of those fellows who waylaid us on the highway?”
None, was the answer, much to her chagrin. But Delia, on sudden impulse, waited for her aunt’s attention to be distracted and begged the captain to go apart with her for a moment. But the business was proving difficult.
Delia changed tack. “You will think me fanciful, I dare say, but I have once or twice felt here as if I was under scrutiny.”
The captain’s features relaxed into a near grin. “I dare say, ma’am. You are, if I may say so, youthful and pretty enough to draw such looks.”
Flushing a little, Delia waved a dismissive hand. “I don’t mean in that way. I meant in the way of being spied upon.”
His brows rose. “Why should you think anyone might wish to spy on you, Miss Burloyne? And common footpads? Such men don’t commonly come after the people they’ve sought to rob. What possible reason could they have?”
A cogent reason indeed, but Delia could not speak of it. It was obvious the captain thought her foolish beyond permission. Irritation claimed her. “They were not robbers, sir. You know very well they were chasing one of their own, or so we supposed.”
“Then they’ve no reason to be hanging around in Weymouth.”
They had if they thought Giff might seek her out. But she could hardly say so. It was the only logical explanation for their presence in the town, if Sam and Barney were indeed here. The advent of the captain had seemed an ideal opportunity to be rid of the whole suspicion. Only Delia could not tell him the truth. She tried one more throw.
“Will you at least search the place, sir? After all, you’ve not found any trace of them elsewhere.”
He reddened. “Not for want of looking, Miss Burloyne. It’s my belief they are long gone.” He glanced away and stiffened. “As must I be too.”
Delia followed where he’d looked and saw her aunt approaching. Heavens, she’d want to know what they were talking of!
Captain Rhoades executed a small bow. “Your servant, ma’am.”
He made good his escape, marching off towards the door that led to the vestibule of the Assembly Rooms where the exchange was taking place.
Delia watched him go and turned to face Lady Matterson, thinking fast. “I was giving him a more accurate description of those men, Aunt Gertrude.”
Her aunt snorted. “The man’s an incompetent fool. If I don’t miss my guess, he’ll do nothing to settle Miss Watkinson’s mind either. Not that I hold with this rebellion of hers, idiotic woman.”
But in the late afternoon, when they left the Rooms to return to Mrs Tuckett’s house for dinner, Delia was gratified to catch sight of two militiamen clearly engaged in scouting the area. As she crossed the street, supporting her aunt, she saw one uniformed individual accost a rough-looking fellow heading towards the beach from the Esplanade.
“It looks as if the captain is making an effort after all,” she observed, drawing her aunt’s attention with a pointing finger.
Lady Matterson huffed a little. “Much good may it do him. Does he suppose they are waiting about to be discovered?”
Delia could have said much, but she held her peace. If she had not been able to see the owners of the eyes she was convinced were watching her, how would the captain’s men find them?
As they dined on a roasted fowl accompanied by stewed cucumbers and pickled French beans, she toyed with the notion of sending to St Michael’s in Stepleton, begging the rector to warn Giff to stay away from this place. But if his enemies were indeed watching her, she dreaded giving any sign that she might be in contact with him. She could send Sally to the post office with a letter. But who was to say they were not also watching her maid?
The best she could hope for was that Giff would not think of coming anywhere near Weymouth. Indeed, when she thought about it, there was no reason for him to do so. If those ruffians supposed there was more to their relationship than a casual encounter, they would very soon learn their mistake.
Delia had reason to be glad of the presence of the militia over the next couple of days. She was conscious of no eyes and her nerves settled. On the second day, Miss Watkinson declared her intention of resuming her morning bathe and her acolytes clustered around, exclaiming and debating until Lady Matterson loudly reminded the company that tomorrow was Sunday.
“Then we will swim again on Monday,” declared Miss Watkinson. “Will you join us, Miss Burloyne?”
Delia, in attendance at her great-aunt’s side while that lady played at casino with two of her cronies, had taken no part in the discussion. “I shall be glad to, ma’am, if my aunt permits.” She turned to Lady Matterson, half expecting a veto.
“Certainly, child. I always thought it a piece of nonsense to be making such a fuss all for a mere rowboat.”
Miss Watkinson bridled, but chose not to lock horns on this occasion, instead turning back to her herd of sheep. “Then I think that settles it, ladies. We bathe on Monday, come what may.” She nodded to Aunt Gertrude. “We will meet in church, Lady Matterson.”