A choppy laugh escaped her as she dabbed the tears from her face again. “I assure you, Mr. Jordan, I’m not usually given to displays of this sort. My sincere apologies for interrupting you.”
“I wasn’t asleep so don’t worry about it. And I thought we agreed you would call me Thane. Mr. Jordan sounds quite formal for someone who’s sitting on your bed holding you while you’re wearing little more than a scrap of cotton.”
Fury danced in her coppery eyes as she sucked in a gulp, causing him to grin. “Must you always be so vulgar? My nightwear is perfectly respectable.”
“For an old woman or a nun, perhaps.” Thane set her on her feet and stood, letting his gaze slowly travel from her unbound hair to the tips of her bare toes peeking from the hem of her prim gown.
Heat seared through his veins as he trailed his finger along her jaw and gently pushed up her chin, forcing her to look at him. “I know this is difficult for you, Jemma, but the hurt will ease and you’ll set down roots in Baker City. I’m proud of you for doing this. It takes a brave, strong woman to venture into the unknown with a dashing man she’s not all that fond of at her side.”
His teasing made her smile and she nodded her head. Thane leaned down and softly kissed her cheek then turned and strode across the room. “If you need anything, you know where to find me. Sleep well, wife.”
After closing the door behind him, Thane lit the lamp on the table near the bed and opened his traveling bag. He removed a square wrapped in soft leather, folded back the covering, and stared at the photo of him and Jemma smiling at each other on their wedding day. The photographer said he didn’t care for the pose, since it looked too informal. Nevertheless, of all the images the man had captured it was Thane’s favorite.
His thumb caressed the edge of the photograph, admiring the beautiful gown Jemma wore. Catherine said some woman in London rushed to make it for Jemma. He had no idea how much something like that cost, but the way she looked in the perfect-fitting gown was worth every cent.
Only moments ago, it had felt so good, so right to hold Jemma in his arms, he had to leave the room before he decided to act on the husbandly rights he promised her he’d not pursue.
The sinuous feel of her through her cotton gown combined with her alluring fragrance floating around him nearly pushed him beyond the edge of reason. Glorious waves of auburn tresses tumbling around her shoulders and down her back hadn’t done anything to ease his wanting.
When he rashly promised she’d not share his bed, they were still complete strangers.
After the past weeks of watching her with the children, of seeing her care and compassion for others, of hearing her laughter and invoking her anger, he no longer thought of her as a stranger.
He didn’t necessarily think they were friends, yet, but he no longer disliked her. She still infuriated him more than any other human alive, but she also fascinated and intrigued him.
When he was with her, strange, new emotions filled him. He felt the need to protect her, keep her safe, and tease a smile out of her. Desire for the woman he’d wed filled him with an intensity he’d never experienced. It went beyond her lovely form and beautiful face, right down to her tender heart.
With a frustrated sigh, Thane wrapped the photograph and returned it to his bag then blew out the lamp. His trousers dropped to the floor then he climbed into bed and tried to relax. As sleep eluded him, he listened but no sound came from the room next door. He wondered if Jemma finally slept. Heavy eyelids drifted closed and he let himself dream of holding her in his arms, kissing her with all the passionate longing she stirred in him.
Chapter Eight
“Goodness gracious.”
The awe resonating in Jemma’s tone caused Thane to glance down at her as they followed a white-coated sailor to their stateroom aboard the Teutonic. The grand staircase, constructed from tempered and mellowed English oak, loomed before them as an impressive sight.
“It’s quite something, isn’t it?” Thane bent slightly and whispered in her ear as the sailor led them down a hall to their room. When Thane asked Weston to make their travel arrangements, he assumed their friend would book second-class staterooms, since the Teutonic was the first ship in the White Star Lines fleet to offer an option between first class and steerage. Much to his surprise, the man reserved them one of the best staterooms on the ship, or so their guide proclaimed.
The sailor opened the door to a large sitting room, complete with windows overlooking the promenade around the deckhouse, causing Thane to believe his assessment.
“It’s pretty!” Lily exclaimed as she bounced in Thane’s arms. The child had been so full of excitement, darting hither and fro as they tried to walk onto the ship, Thane feared she’d end up in the water or completely lost if he didn’t carry her.
Jack held tightly to Jemma’s hand, although his eyes lit in wonder as they made their way to their room.
“Will this serve your needs adequately, sir?” The sailor stood just inside the main door and swept his hand in a grand gesture across the comfortable parlor with three closed doors surrounding it.
“I’m sure it will be fine. How many bedrooms are there?” Thane asked, stepping inside, but keeping his hold on Lily. Jack let go of Jemma’s hand and ran to the window where he could watch people coming and going.
“Two, sir.” A tall young man appeared and the sailor took his leave. “Sir, I’m Tipton, your room steward. I’m here to make sure you and your family are comfortable during the voyage.” He walked across the parlor and opened a door revealing two individual brass beds with rails on the sides to keep the occupant from falling out, should they hit stormy weather on the open sea. The room’s furnishings included plush chairs, a dresser, a desk between the beds, and a small closet.
The steward crossed the parlor to a door located close to the windows where Jack continued to watch passersby with rapt fascination. When the man opened it, Thane took note of the large brass bed, meant for two, along with other furnishings similar to the first bedroom.
The third door opened to reveal a private bath, a welcome and unexpected convenience.
“Should you need anything during the voyage, this panel connects you to the necessary departments within our great floating city. You’ll not find finer accommodations on any ship on the ocean than we offer.” The steward stood straight and tall as he delivered this information, clearly proud of the ship he called home.
“Thank you, Mr. Tipton.” Thane looked around the room, glad for the private bath, although he hated to share the space with Jemma and the children. With his inclination to be overwhelmed with seasickness, he’d rather do it alone than where the others could witness his misery.
Determined to worry about it later, he turned toward the hall as their luggage arrived.
Glad he’d packed his suits in an accessible trunk instead of one of the many down in the cargo hold, he knew as first class passengers they would be required to dress for dinner each evening as they dined in the ship’s main saloon.
Jemma started to ask for her trunk to go into the room with the small beds but Thane directed it be placed in the room with the large bed.
She frowned at him but snapped her mouth shut, taking Lily from his arms and going to stand at the window with Jack.
“I’d be happy to help unpack your luggage straightaway, sir,” Tipton offered, taking a step in the direction of the children’s room.
“That won’t be necessary, but thank you for the offer.” Thane slipped the steward a coin. The man grinned broadly as he stood at the door. “The dining room is open from five this evening until eight. You’ll find it on the main deck, mid-ship. For you sir, you’ll find a barber’s shop, smoking saloon and library. Many of the men like to gather there for the bon voyage. Your dog is on Deck F, where we keep the kennels. He’ll be walked three times a day, but you’re welcome to find him there anytime. However, we do not allow pets in the rooms. If you’d like, I can have tea and crumpets brought up immediately.”
“That would be fine. Will the ship leave port on time?” Thane asked as the steward moved into the hall.
“To my best knowledge we will, sir. We should be underway in about an hour.” Tipton tipped his cap and hurried down the hall.
“I should like to speak with you a moment.” Thane glanced down as Jemma walked beside him on the promenade deck. She wore a copper silk evening gown the same striking shade as her eyes and put him in mind of an autumn nymph as they strolled along in the fading sunlight.
After partaking of the tea Tipton delivered to their room, they went out on deck and watched as the ship departed in a great gusty billow of steam.
Jack and Lily were convinced Rigsly needed attention, so they checked on the dog. Jemma and Thane allowed the children to play with him for a while before they all returned to the stateroom and changed for dinner.
Thane caught his breath when Jemma emerged from the bedroom with her hair caught up in a loose chignon at the back of her head, wearing the shimmering gown.
As they ventured to the grand dining room, shallow niches along the way containing figures carved in wood drew their interest. Impressed with the grandeur of the ship, the four of them took seats in the dining room.
Thane admired the plaster pattern overhead, highlighted by finely molded rosettes set at intervals around the domed ceiling. Done in tones of subdued ivory, the dining space looked elegant and refined, rather like his new bride.
Once their meal arrived, Lily, who’d endured more excitement than any three-year-old could be expected to handle with grace, burst into tears when Jemma insisted on cutting her meat.
“I’ll do it myself! I do it!” Lily shrieked, jerking her head forward and banging it on the edge of table. Tears began to fall in earnest, so Thane picked her up and rubbed her back, telling her to settle down and stop crying. She quieted soon enough.
He used his napkin to wipe her tears, kissed her forehead, and set her back in her chair. She took a few bites of food before she slumped wearily against his arm. Pity for the child had him picking her up again, settling her on one solid thigh. While he finished eating with one hand, the other kept Lily upright. Concerned the child feel safe and loved, he had no care for the number of etiquette rules he broke as he ate his meal.
Jack showed signs of fatigue as he finished his dinner, although he kept pulling his head up and gazing around, trying to stay alert.
“There will be plenty of time for exploring tomorrow,” Thane assured the boy as Jemma set down her napkin, rose to her feet, and offered to take Lily. He shook his head and put his hand to the small of her back, guiding her from the main saloon. Jack trailed along behind them.
With Lily settled into the curve of one arm and Jemma’s hand resting on his other, they strolled in companionable silence until she mentioned wanting to speak to him.
“Later?” Thane didn’t want to get into whatever discussion she planned until the children were asleep.
She nodded her head and stepped behind him, resting her hands on Jack’s shoulders. “How do you like the Teutonic, Jack?”
“It’s a grand ship, isn’t it, Auntie Jemma?”
“Indeed. I heard Mr. Tipton say he’d be happy to take your uncle on a tour tomorrow. Perhaps you could go along.” Jemma glanced at Thane as he turned around and smiled at his nephew.
“That’s a fine idea. Would you like to go with me, Jack?”
“Yes, sir.” Jack’s eyes spoke of his excitement although he offered only a small smile.
“Great. We’ll plan on it. Now, how about we see what color the sun paints the water from that spot over there.” Thane led them to a section of the deck where they could watch the setting sun.
Jemma stood with Jack in front of her, both her hands on his shoulders as Thane stood beside her holding a sleeping Lily. The lower the sun drooped, the cooler the air seemed until Jemma felt thoroughly chilled.
Sudden warmth made her glance over her shoulder as Thane moved close behind her, blocking the breeze. He placed the hand not holding Lily around her waist and drew her, along with Jack, back against him.
Trying to ignore the sensations his proximity created, she focused her gaze on the golden orb sending streaks of pink and orange brilliance across the water. “It’s spectacular, Thane. Thank you for thinking of this.”
“It does seem like a nice way to end the day,” Thane rumbled from behind her, pleased she’d called him by his given name instead of sir or Mr. Jordan.
They watched until the sun almost disappeared. The electric lights on the ship flickered to life and stewards hurried to close the shutters over the stateroom windows, to ensure the privacy of their guests.
“I think we better head in before I have to carry two sleepy kids.” Thane smiled down at Jack who could barely keep his eyes open. “Can you make it, son?”
“Yes, sir.” Jack leaned against Jemma as they turned to go inside and made their way down the hall to their room.
Tipton met them at the door and asked if they needed anything. Thane assured him they had everything they needed for the evening and thanked him for his offer of assistance.
Inside the room, Thane carried Lily to one of the small beds in the second bedroom and left her for Jemma to undress while he helped Jack get ready for bed. After tucking in the boy, Thane bid him sweet dreams while Jemma settled a limp and still sleeping Lily beneath the covers. She kissed the little one’s rosy cheek and brushed curls away from her face then turned to Jack, kissing his forehead and hiding a smile as he struggled to keep his eyes open.
Thane walked out of the room after placing a kiss to Lily’s forehead and waited for Jemma to join him in the parlor.
Once she settled her skirts around her on the settee, he sat beside her, much to her dismay. She hoped he’d stay on the other side of the room in one of the four chairs surrounding a mahogany table.
“What did you want to talk about?” Thane asked as he relaxed against the comfortable upholstery of his seat.
“Our room arrangements.” Unable to force herself to say sleeping arrangements, heat burned across her cheeks. If she had to share a room with Thane, she wouldn’t be able to sleep a wink.
“I figured you’d set up a fuss about me putting the kids together, but it makes sense for three reasons.”
Jemma glared at him, waiting for him to explain himself. When he continued to sit quietly, she smacked his leg lightly with the reticule still hanging from her wrist. “By all means, explain them to me.”
“I assumed the kids would need to go to bed earlier than either of us plan to, so it works for them to share a room.”
“I concede that is reasonable.” Jemma tipped her head toward Thane. The children were exhausted and it would have been silly to put them in separate rooms, possibly waking them both when she and Thane retired for the evening.
“The second reason is because I’m not going to have the whole ship blathering about you and me sleeping in different rooms. With Tipton spending so much time in here, it wouldn’t take him long to figure out you and Lily shared a room while Jack and I took the other. I don’t give a flying fritter what people have to say about me, but you do. I won’t stand for people whispering behind your back.”
Surprised by his concern for her reputation, she didn’t know what to say. Struggling to form an appropriate response, she finally settled on a simple, “thank you.”
Thane nodded his head then swiped a hand down his face before leaning forward and resting his hands on his knees. “There’s something you don’t know about me, but I reckon you’ll find out sooner rather than later.”
Jemma couldn’t imagine what information he deemed necessary to share, and braced herself for the worst. Maybe he was a drunkard or a gambler like she and Catherine had teasingly discussed. “Please continue.”
Thane sighed and cast a sideways glance at her. “I snore when I sleep and I’m an early riser, so I don’t want to disturb either of the children. If Jack roomed with me, he�
��d likely be kept awake by my snoring and as I rose each morning. The kids need all the rest they can get.”
“Of course, that is practical.” Jemma hid her amusement that the mighty Thane Jordan admitted to a fault such as snoring. Regardless, she hoped he didn’t plan to share the bed with her. The concerned glance she cast his direction earned a roguish grin from him.
“As for our sleeping arrangements, I thought I’d sleep out here. Since I get up early, I can have everything set to rights before Tipton arrives in the morning with our breakfast.”
Jemma looked around the parlor. Although finely appointed, the settee wasn’t long enough to accommodate Thane’s frame nor was there any other piece of furniture large enough for him to rest comfortably. “But where would you sleep?”
“I can make a bed on the floor. I’ve slept on a lot worse and it won’t bother me at all, as long as you’re willing to share a pillow and a blanket.”
A relieved sigh escaped her and her good humor returned. “I may even give you two pillows.”
Thane chuckled and she decided she quite liked the sound of it, rumbling deep in his chest.
He leaned over and pecked her cheek then squeezed her hand. “I’m glad you’re feeling so generous. If you want to get ready for bed, I’ll take another walk around outside before settling in for the night. Just leave the pillow and blanket out here and I won’t bother you.”
“Are you sure you’ll be comfortable?”
“I’ll be fine, Jemma. Don’t give it another thought.” He stood and helped her rise then walked to the door, glancing back to watch the sway of her skirts as she entered their bedroom. Even if the woman had insisted he share the bed, he would have refused.
The amorous thoughts swirling around in his head would have made it impossible to be in the same bed with her and keep his hands to himself. It would be akin to leaving a delicious piece of candy in front of Lily and expecting her not to eat it.
Crumpets & Cowpies: (Sweet Historical Western Romance) (Baker City Brides Book 1) Page 10
