She was so lost in the process—having moved from the initial sketch to outlining it with long stitches—that she didn’t hear the door open and close. She was only aware of her company when Ruby said, “I don’t have the patience for needlework.”
Penelope gave a startled yelp, letting go of her hoop. It fell into her lap as she placed her hands over her rapidly beating heart.
Ruby grinned down at her. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Waving her hand, Penelope picked up her hoop to ensure that nothing had been damaged in its hasty drop. She then carefully wound the fabric around it and set it aside.
“I never used to have the patience either,” Penelope said. “But it was the only acceptable hobby that I did enjoy, so it grew on me. When I started at five, I couldn’t do more than a few stitches before I grew bored. Now I could miss my meals, I’m so involved.”
“That much is obvious,” Ruby said, that familiar twinkle in her eyes as she moved to the wardrobe. “Because I saw your parents retreat to their cabin, no doubt to get ready for their dinner.” Ruby removed the same beautiful dress she had worn yesterday, turning back to Penelope with a frown. “Have you been here since luncheon?”
Penelope flushed as she nodded. “I told you, it enraptures me.” Her fingers reached to stroke the fabric, to distract herself from saying that the real reason she had started was to avoid thinking about Ruby. “It helped that it’s a piece for Granny, to send back to her. It’s of her old dog, Poppy. She loved her. And I have so many happy memories with that dog as well. Granny got her on my eighth birthday, so I always felt like she was mine.” Penelope moved as she spoke, slipping into something a touch more fancy for dinner. It had a simple underdress with an A-line skirt made from lavender silk. The skirts of the overdress were gathered up to the knee and secured with lavender silk flowers, showing a small triangle of the underdress.
“We stayed close by, so I was always there, seeing how she was doing and accompanying Granny on walks,” she continued. “And when I was old enough, I started taking her myself to the nearby loch because she loved to swim. Goodness, I remember once, Caroline and I weren’t watching her, and she started chasing some swans. Next thing I know, there’s this loud commotion as she tried to scramble back to land while the swan started chasing her back. I rushed into the loch up to my calves in an attempt to scare the swan so that Poppy could get to safety, and all the while Caroline was on the bank, crying tears of laughter.”
She stopped talking just as she finished getting dressed, and she turned to face Ruby, surprised that she hadn’t said anything.
Just as she was about to prompt Ruby, there was a soft knock at the door. Penelope’s mother stood on the threshold, a smile on her face. “Oh, good, you’re ready. I was a little worried since I hadn’t heard hide nor hair of you since luncheon.” Her eyes landed on Ruby, giving her a courteous nod, before turning to Penelope once more. “Shall we go?”
Knowing better than to ask for some extra time when she already looked presentable, Penelope nodded and followed her mother from the cabin, stopping only to give Ruby a confused glance before the door shut.
Chapter Seven
Penelope was the first to return to the room.
Tucking her feet under herself as she settled on the sofa after changing into her nightgown, Penelope continued her work on the outline of Poppy’s face. It was a tad more difficult getting things accurate when she only had her memory to go off, but as she stopped to rethread her needle, she realised she was making good progress.
And at least it looked like a dog.
This time, when the door opened and clicked shut, Penelope was acutely aware of it, so didn’t startle when Ruby said, “I’ve never had a dog.”
“Poppy is the only one I’ve had. Father would never allow one in the house—too messy, he says.” She rolled her eyes as she started to work on Poppy’s beard, which was always unruly, no matter how much she was groomed.
“No worse than a baby, believe me,” Ruby laughed as she pulled her nightgown off the bed and started to peel her clothes off.
Penelope focused on her work, concentrating on each push and pull of her needle, and the pinging sound the fabric made as it was tugged through. Anything that would stop her from raising her gaze and watching Ruby undress and change into her nightgown, which looked to be a sheer cotton that would definitely leave nothing to the imagination.
She only knew that Ruby was changed when she joined her on the sofa. She had pulled on a dressing gown for which Penelope was thankful. She didn’t need her mind being clogged with lascivious thoughts as she tried to have a simple conversation.
Ruby said nothing, sitting upright as if she hadn’t removed her corset, but a quick glance told Penelope she had. Her eyes dove back to her hoop. No indecent thoughts.
“Earlier, you mentioned a girl…Caroline…” Ruby began.
Penelope’s hands froze first, then started to tremble. So much so that she had to lower the hoop to her lap so that its movement didn’t give her nerves away. She swallowed once, twice, raising her gaze up to Ruby.
She wanted to deny it. Caroline was a sensitive subject, and bringing her up around this woman who was already making her feel things seemed like a recipe for disaster. But she couldn’t deny it, for she had mentioned Caroline when she had been sharing her story about Poppy. She tried to recall what she had said, to see if there had been anything incriminating, but she couldn’t remember.
Penelope swallowed again. “Yes. My friend.”
Ruby gnawed on her lower lip for a moment, her hands clasped firmly in her lap. Her voice was soft as she asked, “Just a friend?”
With those three words, Penelope’s mind silenced.
Her heart beat an erratic rhythm against her chest. She swayed where she sat, and she was thankful she had already let go of her hoop, for it would have slipped from her hands.
“What?” The word scratched her throat as it came out. The pain was enough of a sensation to bring her back to herself. Her instincts kicked in. She had known for a long time that she was more of a fighter than someone who would flee. She shot to her feet, her hoop falling to the ground in her haste. “What?” she repeated, her fear and panic turning into anger and venom as she spat the word at Ruby. “How dare you imply such a thing!”
Ruby recoiled, looking as though Penelope had struck her. Her fists tightened in her nightgown until her knuckles matched the white of the fabric. She looked so small, so meek, that it tempered Penelope’s spirit a little.
Ruby let loose a long breath and raised her eyes to Penelope’s. There was a thin film of tears over them, and yet they were still sure and strong. Her jaw was tight as she said, “You talk in your sleep, Penelope. And you spoke of her then.”
Penelope knew that. It had been something Caroline had teased her about, since most of her dreams were about her. And the worrying part was, she had dreamt of Caroline last night. It hadn’t been one of the lust-filled dreams that she’d had at the beginning of their relationship—she hadn’t had one of those in a long time, if she was being honest.
It had been about the day she had told Caroline that she wasn’t going to fight the move any longer. That not being informed of her engagement by Caroline herself proved that she had never cared for Penelope as Penelope had cared for her.
But even then, that argument couldn’t be mistaken for anything else. If she had whispered just one sentence aloud, there would be no other plausible interpretation. Her secret would be known.
Her mouth gaped open for a moment before she started to sputter. She could do nothing but stare, feeling like a foolish fish out of water, knowing that her reaction was all the confirmation that Ruby needed.
Ruby pushed onto her feet, causing Penelope to take a stumbling step backwards. Was she asking this so that she could go running to an officer and report Penelope? Did she plan to spew
hurtful words at her? Would she be alienated from her one companion for the rest of the voyage?
“Penelope,” Ruby whispered. “I… I only say these things because…because I…never expected to meet someone aboard who feels the same way I do.” Her tone had trailed off to almost nothing as she spoke, each word growing quieter and quieter.
Penelope’s mouth continued to flutter open and shut like that of a suffocating fish. Ruby shuffled on her feet, her fingers twisting around each other nervously as her gaze darted all around the room.
Of all the things Penelope had expected, that had never even crossed her mind.
She tried to think back to their previous interactions, to see if there had been signs that she had missed, but she came up with nothing.
After all, they were still pretty much strangers. There was no way she could expect Ruby to reveal such a secret to someone she had just met and would never meet again once this journey was over.
Which made Penelope wonder why she had chosen now to do so.
Too afraid to let down the guard she had put up since Caroline had revealed her true colours, Penelope raised her chin and threw her shoulders back. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
After having her heart broken by Caroline, she hadn’t really expected to find anyone interesting for a long time.
Whatever the reason, she couldn’t deny that attraction for Miss Ruby Cole had sprung up from the moment she’d seen her.
“Penelope, I know this isn’t the most normal of conversations, but I’m no fool. I can read between the lines. The way you spoke of her, the look on your face, and the things you said in your sleep…” Ruby’s cheeks were flushed a brilliant red. “I don’t know what you’ve convinced yourself of, but trust me, I’m not going to tell anyone! No matter how this conversation ends.”
Trust. How many people had Penelope trusted in her life who had ultimately let her down? Caroline had been one. Emma another. Even her parents with their constant nitpicking over her personality and appearance. And yet this utter stranger was expecting to gain her trust because, what? She had made some observations and come to some sort of conclusion?
Penelope folded her arms over her chest. “Trust you? How can I trust you? We barely know each other!”
Ruby’s eyes narrowed, and she took another step forwards. “By realising that I’m the vulnerable one here! I asked the question, I’m the one fishing to see if my instincts are right!”
Penelope tilted her head to the side. “And why did you?”
Ruby gnawed on her plump lower lip, and her gaze fell to her feet. Her fingers fiddled with the lace cuff of her nightgown. She took a long, steady breath as a million different emotions flickered across her face.
It was a little strange to see her look so bashful. In the moments Penelope had spent with her, she had always been so sure, so bold.
After a long moment, she sighed and finally raised her head. Ruby’s features were no longer nervous, but bold, certain. She pulled her shoulders back and raised her chin as her eyes met Penelope’s.
“Because I wanted you to know,” Ruby admitted, her voice strong. She took a step forwards. “There’s something about you I like.” She shook her head, pressing on. “All I care about is that you drive me wild, and I can’t stop thinking about you. And if there’s a chance that you feel something similar, I’m going to take it, because God knows, my life isn’t going to be this exciting again!”
Penelope stared at Ruby, trying to figure out whether she was dreaming, hallucinating, or if all of this was really happening. She watched as resignation appeared on Ruby’s face, as she lowered her head to the side, her lip still trapped between her teeth.
It didn’t seem real.
And yet, as she discreetly pinched herself, she realised it was.
Before Penelope’s mind could catch up with her heart, she surged forwards, her hands cupping either side of Ruby’s face and bringing their lips together in a fierce kiss.
It felt like all the air had been knocked out of her lungs when their lips met, a little awkwardly at first, the movement so sudden and unexpected by both of them.
It didn’t take them long to readjust, for Penelope’s fingers to push further into Ruby’s blonde locks. Ruby’s hands settled on Penelope’s waist as her hands slid back down to Penelope’s waist.
The touch brought forth a new fervour in Penelope as she used her tongue to part Ruby’s mouth, and she couldn’t help her grin as Ruby met her halfway.
Penelope didn’t even notice that she was walking them backwards until they came to an abrupt halt, Ruby’s back meeting the solid wood of the door.
Not that she seemed to care.
Her touch grew bolder as her hands wandered, slipping from her waist upwards until they brushed the undersides of Penelope’s breasts. It was enough to make Penelope pull back, her breath leaving her in sharp pants as Ruby slowly opened her eyes.
“I…was that too much?” Ruby asked, as her hands slid down to Penelope’s waist.
Licking her swollen lips, Penelope shook her head. “Not at all. I just…wanted to talk…first…make sure that we’re on the same page.”
Ruby nodded slowly, even as her hands tightened further on Penelope’s waist. “Well, I am on the page where my father will probably ensure that I find someone to marry when we land in New York, and so I would really like to enjoy the company of a woman in my bed during this voyage.” She then cocked her head to the side as she regarded Penelope. At the same time, her hands slowly bundled up the fabric of Penelope’s nightgown, so that the hem was around her knees. “What page are you on?”
Warmth flooded through Penelope’s veins, settling deep in the pit of her stomach. Her breath came out in a ragged laugh as she leaned forwards to press a brief kiss to Ruby’s jaw, unable to help herself. “A rather similar page, if I’m being honest… Just, may we wait before taking it further? I’ve rushed in once before, and it caused me nothing but pain.”
She didn’t want to mention Caroline again tonight, but the thoughts were already there. Caroline had caused Penelope to experience so many firsts within such a short time. She had been so swept up by Caroline that it had taken two years and their falling out for Penelope to even realise how much she had controlled and smothered her. How her time with Millicent and Deborah had dwindled until she’d been consumed only by Caroline.
Ruby’s smile turned gentle, as if she had heard Penelope’s thoughts and wanted to comfort her. She released her hold on Penelope’s nightgown to brush her thumbs over Penelope’s cheeks. “Of course, darling,” she whispered softly. “Why don’t we share the bed and kiss until we fall asleep?”
Penelope’s smile returned as her nerves eased. She smoothed her hand from Ruby’s neck down over her shoulders until she entwined their hands.
Then, with a grin, she led them towards the bed.
Chapter Eight
12th April 1912
The first thing Penelope registered as she woke up the next morning was that there was a heavy weight splayed across her midriff.
A soft groan reached her ears as she felt Ruby stir in her arms, her nose brushing along Penelope’s jaw as she adjusted herself. Penelope allowed her fingers to trail along the bare skin of Ruby’s shoulder, where her nightgown had slipped, and then down over her cotton-clad arm.
Ruby stilled for just a second, and then Penelope felt a smile stretch against her neck. “I was almost certain it had been a rather vivid dream.” Her beautiful blue eyes were still a little hooded from sleep, but there was no denying the happiness hidden in their depths.
“Not a dream, no. It was something much better than that,” Penelope said. It seemed so natural to adjust her position and press her lips against Ruby’s in a soft, fleeting kiss. She pulled back so that she could brush Ruby’s hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear.
/> “I daresay it is something we should talk about.” Ruby rolled onto her back, pillowing her head on Penelope’s arm. “But I want to enjoy this moment a little bit longer.”
Penelope turned her head to the side, watching Ruby’s profile as she stared up at the slats that made up the bottom of the top bunk.
She had always considered Ruby beautiful, from the second she had set eyes upon her.
But now, her beauty had only grown.
Her nose was a cute little button thing, her lips were full and soft to the touch, and her eyes were like oceans, bottomless and mysterious and downright mystical. She had the odd freckle spattered across her milky white skin, a pattern that continued all over her body.
After spending hours exploring her as much as she could without removing their clothes, Penelope had discovered that Ruby was soft and supple, her thighs and stomach patterned with silver lines.
She was so beautiful, that honestly, Penelope could have spent hours just staring at her.
“I don’t even know what time it is.” Penelope stifled a yawn with her free hand. “I’m a little worried that my mother is going to walk in to tell me to get ready for breakfast and catch us like this.”
That would most likely cause the early demise of all involved. Her mother’s from shock, Penelope’s from embarrassment. Then again, perhaps her mother would consider it innocent, that Ruby had fallen ill and they had decided to share the bunk. Penelope had used that excuse several times when Caroline had slept over and had been caught in her room at inappropriate hours.
Ruby was silent for a moment as her gaze flickered towards the door. “…You’re probably right.” She pushed herself into as much of a sitting position as she was able to, thanks to the top bunk. “We should get up and get dressed. Eat breakfast. We can meet back here afterwards, to talk. If that’s okay with you, of course. If you would rather talk now, we can…”
“I…” Penelope swallowed, trying her best not to let Ruby know that this was really the first time in…well…all her life that someone had cared about her opinion. “No. After breakfast is good with me. I’d much rather deal with it on a full stomach, if I’m being honest.”
The Breath Between Waves Page 5
