Oh piffle! She pulled her hand back so quickly that the bowl tilted and dropped to the table, the contents tumbling to the wooden surface.

“Goodness, Harriet,” Sophia said, reaching over and collecting the bread and replacing it in the bowl. “What’s wrong with you? I’ve never seen you so nervy.”

Harriet picked up a roll and handed it to Sophia.

“Thank you, I—what’s that?” Sophia’s gaze was on Harriet’s hand.

Harriet quickly tucked her hand into her lap, but it was too late.

Ophelia leaned forward. “I want to see it again!”

“No, no. It’s nothing,” Harriet said quickly, tugging on the ring under the table and praying it would come off.

Mother frowned. “Where did you get that ring? It looked quite ancient.”

“I gave it to her,” came a deep voice at Harriet’s side.

Harriet sent a startled glance at the captain.

He glinted a smile down at her, telling her without words that she would owe him for this little favor. “It was found near my things in the forest and I asked her to wear it for safekeeping.”

There was silence as everyone digested this, then Mother said brightly, “Oh, well then! That’s very nice of Harri to take such good care of your things.”

Stephen, apparently feeling sorry for his sister, took the opportunity to engage Derrick in an argument about who had worked the hardest on the fence in the east pasture.

To Harriet’s relief the rest of the meal passed in relative calm, except that she was uncomfortably aware of the man sitting next to her.

It was strange, the way she could almost feel the presence of the man beside her, even when she wasn’t looking at him. And if she closed her eyes, she could feel his lips on hers. She considered that. Why did he affect her so? Perhaps it was because she didn’t have a lot of experience with such things.

Yes, that must be it. Whoever Captain Frakenham really was, he was definitely a man of the world. His touch was magical, igniting feelings she’d never had, but so would the touch of any man with so much worldly experience.

Dinner finally ended and Stephen stood. “Captain Frakenham, would you like to join me in the library for a touch of brandy?”

The captain stood almost immediately. “Of course. I hope, too, that you might provide me with a tour of the barn since I’m held to be so fond of it.”

“We shall do so first thing in the morning. I’m certain Harriet will be glad to accommodate you.”

Harriet sent her brother a flat stare, but he was too busy playing lord of the manor to notice.

The captain took her hand and pressed a kiss to it, right where the ring rested. His gaze lingered on the ring before he released Harriet’s hand. “I look forward to touring the barn, Miss Ward. I’m certain it will open all sorts of interesting memories.”

Harriet’s finger tingled warmly as she looked up into “the captain’s” blue eyes. It was strange, but she’d never before noticed how very long his lashes were. They swept down at the corners and tangled a bit. A slow shiver went through her.