Surrender the Stars by Cynthia Wright

Connecticut."
    Lindsay was aghast. "Mama, how can you call this 'wonderful news' and expect me to echo your sentiments? I think it's dreadful! Why, Papa might be away for a year or more!"
    "You didn't let me finish, sweetheart," Devon said gently, gazing into her daughter's eyes. "President Madison desires that all of us travel to Britain. He feels that your father's role will be most effective if he can seem to be a neutral, family-oriented man. If he were to appear alone in London, while the war is going on, suspicions might be aroused."
    Stunned, Lindsay could only whisper, "All of us?"
    "Don't you see, it's a wonderful opportunity for you! You need to get away from Pettipauge and see the world, Lindsay. London is like a fairyland for a girl your age. Handsome men, beautiful clothes, balls and assemblies—"
    "You know that I consider none of those important for happiness. I'm accomplishing something here, Mama. I'm helping children to learn, to grow intellectually—"
    "Wouldn't you hope that one day your students might be moved by what they've learned to venture out into the world and see its wonders firsthand? Don't you want them to be well rounded, to seek knowledge from experience as well as from books?"
    "Of course, but—" Lindsay broke off as her mother's words sank in. Turning her head, she stared at the fire for a long minute, then whispered, "I have responsibilities..."
    "Your first responsibility is to yourself, my dear, and in this case you also have a responsibility to your country. There is more to this journey than pleasure, as your father will explain. President Madison wants each of us to play a role in London." Reaching out, Devon touched her hand. "Besides, it's only for a few months—a year, at most. I'd hoped that you might be able to awaken a secret reserve of courage at the prospect of such an adventure."
    "Courage?" Lindsay straightened her slim back. She was about to say "You might be surprised!" when a commotion in the front entry hall caused both of them to turn their heads.
    "Devon? Are you here, cherie ?" It was the deep voice of Andre Raveneau.
    "We're in the kitchen, Papa," Lindsay replied, glad for the diversion. She met her father in the doorway and was wrapped in his strong embrace when she saw the other man approaching down the hall. Suddenly, her heart began to hammer madly.
    "Loose me, ma fleur ." Andre chuckled, turning to wave his guest into the kitchen. "I don't believe that you were present the last time I brought Captain Coleraine home. Ryan, allow me to introduce my daughter, Lindsay."
    Though his smile was as devastating as ever, Lindsay recognized the dangerous glint in Coleraine's midnight-blue eyes. He held out a hand to her but spoke to Andre. "Miss Raveneau and I have already met. We introduced ourselves last week in front of the Griswold Inn."
    Lindsay prayed that her cheeks didn't look as hot as they felt. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Captain." Then, to prevent him from gloating over the thought that he was keeping a secret for her sake, she added, "Papa, you must thank Captain Coleraine. In spite of his own trials on the day the British attacked, he still found time to see to my safety."
    Ryan's black brows flicked upward almost imperceptibly. "Your daughter obviously inherited her parents' legendary bravery. It will come as no surprise to you to learn that a Raveneau attempted to repel the British singlehandedly, thereby ensuring the safety of your ships. Needless to say, my own efforts to inject a note of caution into Miss Raveneau's defense of Pettipauge were less than welcome. At the risk of sounding boastful, I would venture to say that I may have saved your daughter's life when I removed her from the fray." Ryan delivered this speech in a jaunty tone that suggested exaggeration for the amusement of his audience.
    Andre glanced at Lindsay, who managed to smile and shrug innocently, thereby banishing his faint hope that Coleraine might be telling the truth.