He turned his attention back to Julia. “I won’t take up much of your time, Lady Kitson. You are looking well. It doesn’t appear you’ve had any ill effects from the heat of the past few days.”
Julia’s hand automatically lifted to rub the back of her neck, where Mr. Stockton’s fingers had touched her skin so lightly as he held the knife and cut the threads of her collar. “None at all, Mr. Stockton.” She let her arm drop to her side. “As you can see, I’m quite well.”
“I’m pleased to know that. I wanted to let you know I retrieved your butterfly net from the tree in the park.”
Surprised, she looked at his empty hands. “You mean you went back to the tree and—”
He started nodding before she finished, so her voice trailed off.
Keeping his voice low, he said, “From our brief encounter, I had no doubt you are quite fearless and filled with a considerable amount of will. I thought you might go back and try to get the net out of the tree yourself. I wanted to save you the trouble and do it for you.”
Julia struggled to fight the very real attraction that was developing between them. Mr. Stockton seemed to know just what to say to make her feel confident in herself, and she desperately needed that right now. It pleased her that he considered her strong and capable and filled with determination. And there was a time she would have gone back for the net. But that was before the duke had used her son to take control of her life. She had to remember that even now he could have recovered sufficiently to be on his way to join them in London.
She must keep her thoughts, her focus, her very being on finding the incriminating documents on the Eubury-Broadwell Company. Then, once she was free of the duke and his plans for her life, she would be able to enjoy and pursue the feelings Mr. Stockton stirred up in her. Her heart sank a little. If he was still in London and hadn’t returned to the sea.
“That was very kind of you, sir. I had no idea you were going to do that.”
After her experience yesterday, Julia had sworn off catching butterflies or any other kind of insect to amuse her son. Chatwyn would have to be patient and look at them in flight or wait for them to settle on a flower or shrub before examining them.
“Unfortunately, the netting was tangled to the point it couldn’t be saved and the webbing had to be cut away. I took the liberty of taking it to a shop to have it replaced. I’ll see it’s returned. I hope that’s acceptable to you.”
“Yes, yes, of course.” She felt her expression soften even more as she looked at him. If Mr. Stockton was a pirate, he was a thoughtful, heroic one. “I—it was nice of you to trouble yourself.”
His gaze stayed on her. It was as if he were drinking in every detail of her face. It was odd but his attention made her feel warm and cared for. His interest in her was appreciated more than he could ever know.
“It wasn’t any trouble, Lady Kitson.”
“All the same, I should have thought to send someone to cut it down myself. I’m sure it would have been unsightly hanging there after all the leaves fall. Or heavens, I hadn’t even thought about the possibility until now, but some other insect or even a small bird might have become tangled in the netting and not been able to get away. I should have had more consideration about it, but I’m afraid I had other things on my mind. I’m grateful you remembered. Thank you.”
He nodded and turned to Brina. “Mrs. Feld, I was sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. About everyone who was lost at sea that day.” He glanced briefly to Julia and then back to Brina. “Stewart was well respected by all who knew him.”
An inquisitive softness fell across Brina’s face, and she took a step toward to Mr. Stockton. “You knew him?”
“Before I left London the first time, and before he met you, we spent many evenings together playing cards. He was more skilled than I at hazard and roulette, all the games. He was an expert at the billiards tables, though that didn’t stop me nor anyone else from trying to beat him every chance we got. I don’t know of anyone who ever had a complaint about him. You get to know a man when he sits across a card table from you. Stewart was fair-minded and even-tempered whether winning or losing. He was the kind of man everyone wanted as their friend.”
“Yes, he was, Mr. Stockton,” she said quietly. “He enjoyed life and took pleasure in watching others enjoy it, too.”
“That’s the way I remember him, too. He was a worthy opponent shooting a pistol, musket, or bow, and he could fence better than most of us.”
“Stewart loved all his pursuits, especially when putting his money on a successful race.” Brina breathed in heavily and smiled. “He always believed he had a good eye for a winning horse and was quite proud of all his horses.”
“He was never boastful about it.”
“No, he wasn’t,” Brina agreed. “He was quite respectful about his attributes and accomplishments. Thank you for letting me know your memories of him, Mr. Stockton. That means more to me than you could possibly know. It’s been a long time since Stewart’s death, and not many people take the time to even mention his name to me anymore. I appreciate that you did.”
Listening to Mr. Stockton converse with Brina about her husband touched Julia deeply. His voice was even, genuine, and considerate without a hint of placating. He believed what he was saying about Brina’s husband. There was nothing Mr. Stockton could have possibly said or done that would have pleased Julia more than his comforting words to her dear friend. And by Brina’s sweet expression, Julia had a feeling he’d just made a friend for life.
Mr. Stockton nodded to Brina and then focused his attention back on Julia. She felt another tug at her heart as he looked at her, and she would love to be free to explore it and act on what she was feeling. Most any lady would be drawn to such a man. The difference was that Julia was no ordinary lady. She had boundaries the duke had put around her. She had to be sensible about Mr. Stockton.
He’d said what he’d come to say. Much as she would like, she couldn’t let him linger.
“Thank you for stopping by, and for removing the net from the tree.”
“I was happy I could do that for you, Lady Kitson.”
“If you’ll tell me the name of the shop where you left it, I’ll pick it up and save you the trouble of having to go back and worry with it.”
He was silent for a moment and seemed to be seriously considering her suggestion, but then to her surprise, he said, “It’s no trouble for me. I left it there. I should be the one to pick it up and bring it back to you.”
Julia’s breath fluttered in her throat. She would like that, too. But it was dangerous for her to encourage him no matter how much she liked the idea of doing so. “Perhaps you could return it to The Seafarer’s School for Girls. There’s a house in front of the school. I can pick it up from there.”
“I’ll let you know when I’m going to do that.”
As if sensing Julia’s frustration over the situation she was in, Brina walked over to stand beside her. “Lady Hallbury is having an afternoon tea on Saturday,” she informed Mr. Stockton. “Her parties are always a delight. Julia and I will be attending.”
Brina looked at Julia and smiled so innocently Julia had no choice but to return her pleasant expression and say, “Yes. We will.”