Page 44 of A Treacherous Treasure

Rebecca thought a moment before speaking. “I rather like living in the country.”

“Oh, I see.” He looked strangely happy with her answer.

“But I’m sure I will want to take some time to visit my family once I have the affairs in order at Heywood House.”

“Yes, of course.” He fidgeted with his hands, then stood to his feet. “Thank you for allowing me this call. I hope you are able to call on me at Beaumont.”

Rebecca smiled and nodded but did not agree to the call, as she had no intention of making it.

“He was friendly,” Mother said. “Do you think he’s wanting to court you?”

“I don’t know. I only met him once. He could not have been on very good terms with Arthur, for I never heard him mention him.”

They speculated on why he had come to call on her until they returned to the happier discussion of what to wear to dine at the Westbrooks’ that night. Rebecca described each of the family members in detail.

“They all sound like lovely people. How good that you can depend upon your neighbors.”

“Is Thomas or Benjamin Westbrook handsome?” Margaret asked with an eager smile.

Rebecca could see Mother watching her with shrewd eyes.

“Mother has met them both, I daresay. What do you think, Mother?”

“They are both handsome, eligible gentlemen.” Mother was still gazing at Rebecca.

“They are both handsome,” Rebecca agreed. “Margaret, you are not too young to begin to practice flirting. Benjamin Westbrook could be just the right age for you in six or seven years.”

“Really?” Mother asked.

“He is about seventeen now, I think.”

“That is only five years older than me!” Margaret looked quite excited at the prospect of flirting.

“But Rebecca, should you be encouraging her to flirt, at her age? Twelve is too young, surely.”

“Perhaps, but since she is not able to attend balls for at least two or three more years, this could be one of her only chances.” Rebecca winked at her sister, who winked back.

“You two always were the most ill-behaved of my daughters.” Mother sighed.

Rebecca and Margaret both laughed, then stifled the sound to keep from being scolded. Then they began a game of chess while Mother went upstairs to lie down.

“Rebecca, do you like Thomas Westbrook?” Margaret asked.

“He has become a good friend, but he is not interested in me and I cannot be interested in him. It is too soon after my husband’s death.”

“How can you know that he’s not interested in you? He’s spent a great deal of time with you.”

She hadn’t even told her mother and sister about him teaching her to shoot.

“I can tell. He and Arthur were not friends. They seemed to be enemies, and besides that, he can marry any woman he wants. He wouldn’t want a widow.”

“I don’t see why not.” Margaret studied Rebecca’s face. “You are still very young and pretty.”

“Why, thank you, sister. You are very young and pretty as well.”

Very soon they were tickling each other and giggling hysterically. How lovely to be with family again.

Chapter Thirteen