Page 37 of The Captain Claims His Temptress

Uncle Elias seemed to shrivel into a tiny man. Hugo set the paper he had been perusing on the desk, and shoulders drooping, ambled from the room. Once they were alone, Aunt Henrietta sat and indicated Madalene take the seat Hugo had occupied.

“What is it, woman?” a frowning Uncle Elias asked.

It was if steam rose from Aunt Henrietta.

Uncle Elias sighed. “What is it that you would like to talk about, darling?”

“That is better, Sir Saxton,” Aunt Henrietta said. “I believe that your business weekend has become wrought with intrigue and drama.”

Uncle Elias rubbed his temple. “I believe you are correct.”

“Hugo Adams is part of the problem. The man is showing inappropriate attention toward Madalene. You will tell him to cease immediately.”

“Yes, darling,” he said. “Is there anything else.”

“Do you not see through Monsieur Dupont’s artifice?”

Uncle Elias kept his gaze on his neat stack of papers. “He has been a loyal friend to the Crown.”

Aunt Henrietta scoffed.

“And he is providing a large purse to fund Saxton International Shipping.”

Aunt Henrietta waggled a finger. “One must be weary when in bed with the devil.”

Maddie couldn’t have phrased it better.

“And as for Captain Eaton…” Aunt Henrietta said.

Her uncle sat tall and met his wife’s gaze. “What about him?”

“Madalene and I will keep an eye on him.”

Despite his meekness during his reprimand, Uncle Elias’ roared with anger as he slammed his palms on his desk. “I forbid Madalene to be alone with him. Wife, you should have seen their behavior. ’Twas indecent! No niece of mine will behave in that manner. Ever. Especially while I am trying to court investors.”

Could one die from humiliation? If so, Maddie would soon need a casket.

Aunt Henrietta pulled her shoulders back and met her husband’s anger with a calculated calmness. “You are missing the point. With all of your responsibilities this week you are not thinking straight. The captain’s attraction to Madalene makes her the perfect spy. And I am able to act as a chaperone. Together we can get to the bottom of this drama.”

Uncle Elias pursed his lips. “I do not think—”

“Nonsense. You concentrate on your other guests and their purses. Madalene and I will see to the captain. Now, have a good afternoon.”

“Fine,” Uncle Elias growled.

As they stood to leave, Maddie pointed at the paper Hugo Adams had left on the desk.

“Uncle Elias, this inventory does not match up with the one I saw the other day. Is it supposed to be the same?”

“What?” Uncle Elias blinked. “Do you mean the same as the list that was on my desk the day you arrived?”

“Yes. If so, there is an error. This one is missing some items. The tobacco from Dawson Farms, one crate of bullets, and the rifles from Remington Arms Company.”

“But I made the copy myself.” He held the list close to his eyes and perused it. “Well, bloody hell, that is why I couldn’t get the numbers to match up. Adams was helping me double check my arithmetic. However, the mistake wasn’t in my accounting, it was in my copying. Madalene, how did you know I’d made an error?”

She shrugged. “I remember letters and numbers quite well.” Not that it was anything for a lady to be proud of.

“Hmm,” her uncle said.