Miles Before I Sleep

by Byrd, M. Donice

  As they approached the door to her stateroom, the two sailors flanking the door crossed their arms over their chests. He picked up her hand and kissed it.

  “Good night, Miss James. Sleep well.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Ness. You as well.”

  After Andrea entered her room with Ruth, Martin backtracked the way he came, and as expected, ran into Miles.

  “Twenty-four hours, Miles.”

  Miles eyed his engineer cautiously. “What do you mean?”

  “You have twenty-four hours to propose to Andrea or I will. I’m sure her father’s millions would salve any wound I would have over my wife being in love with another man. I trust you can keep your feelings for my future wife to yourself.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Martin Ness was in Levi Bloodworthy’s quarters.

  “How did it go?” Levi asked with a wide grin.

  “Dust off your Bible. They’ll need your services in a couple of days.”

  ~*~

  Miles fumbled with the lock on his stateroom door waiting for Ruth to return to her room after tending to Andrea’s needs. When she was gone, he dismissed the two sailors standing guard, telling them to let the mate know that they did not need to watch her door any longer.

  When they too were gone, he took a deep breath and knocked.

  “Mr. Huntington?” She glanced around and realized the sailors were gone. “Where…?”

  “I didn’t think you’d need them any longer. Was I wrong?”

  “I bow to your judgment,” she said in her most refined accent.

  “Would you care to come over to my cabin and visit? I missed you at dinner.”

  Andrea put her arms behind her back and rocked back on one foot. “I don’t know if I should. I’ve already sent my maid away for the night.”

  She looked straight at him, her pale blue eyes revealing nothing.

  “Are you still mad at me?” he asked with a slight grin. She was not standing tall and rigid with that pleasant smile that she used to cover up when she was upset, so he was reasonably certain she was willing to visit for a while.

  “I was more hurt than angry with you. And more angry at myself than with you.”

  He held out one hand to her. “Maybe we should go talk about it.”

  Andrea looked at his proffered hand and then lifted her gaze to meet his. With a soundless sigh, she put her hand in his palm. Andrea knew she could never say no to him. If he asked her to accompany him into the crow’s nest again, even if they had to climb up there in full view of everyone aboard, and even if she knew they would spend the night up there, she knew she would comply.

  As soon as she stepped out into the passageway, Miles closed her door and locked it using the key from his pocket.

  “It’s the master key. Both Captain Bloodworthy and I have one,” he explained at the look of alarm on her face. “I would never use it to enter anyone’s cabin except in an emergency situation.”

  “I never thought you would.”

  As Miles closed the door to his suite, Andrea took a seat on the Duncan Phyfe sofa.

  “Would you care for something to drink, Andi? I have water or sherry.”

  “May I have a glass of sherry?” she asked. She was going to do it, she suddenly decided. If he could not be compelled to ask her, she would ask him. She could not forget how easily she spoke her mind to him when she imbibed the first time.

  “Did you enjoy seeing the engine?” he asked, handing her the glass and joining her on the sofa. He left only a foot of space between them and they each turned and sat facing each other.

  “It was hard to see anything from the doorway, but Mr. Ness did a good job explaining the rudimentary workings in a way that someone when no knowledge of engines could understand.”

  Andrea noticed the way his brow knitted at the mention of Martin Ness. Was he jealous? Andrea knew the answer. No. Miles had been trying to find her a husband and he no doubt only wanted a report on how she felt about this suitor. A moment later, he confirmed her supposition.

  “Did you like Mr. Ness?”

  “Oh yes,” she said cheerfully. She did not brighten her tone to hurt him or make him jealous, but merely because it reflected her enjoyment of the engineer. Martin Ness was easily the most genial person she had met since boarding the ship. “He’s quite funny and I enjoyed his company.”

  Andrea noticed the way his shoulders sank slightly as she spoke. Was he deflated, or did he relax because he thought she might have settled on a potential husband.

  “Is he the one, then? Do you need me to arrange another meeting?”

  Frowning, she downed half her glass. “Miles, may I speak honestly with you?” Andrea tilted back the glass again, draining it before she set it down.

  “Of course, Andi. I thought you knew you could say anything to me.”

  “I liked Mr. Ness. He is handsome and amusing. I even found his kiss…nice. If he were my only choice, I would marry him if he offered. But he could never consume my thoughts during the day or my dreams at night, the way you do.”

  At a total and complete loss as to how to respond, Miles stared at her. He had been trying to figure out how he was going to propose and she had just opened the door. Yet his tongue seemed unable to speak.

  Suddenly, Andrea stood up and smoothed down her skirt. She had completely lost her nerve. “I suppose I should go back to my room.”

  “No,” he said, snapping out of his stupor. “Please stay.”

  He noticed then that her eyes were awash with tears. “If you don’t have feelings for me, Miles, I would prefer that you leave me alone. Sitting at your table every day, while you parade potential husbands in front of me is incredibly painful. I cannot imagine this horrible anguish I feel is love, because love is supposed to feel good. I don’t know what it is, but if you don’t want me, please be honest and tell me right now, because I need to either go forward or quit hoping and forget you.”

  Miles was on his feet before she finished and picked up her hands. “It doesn’t work,” Miles said softly. “I’ve tried and tried to forget the young woman I met at a ball. It turned out she was just a girl and I tried to forget her. I couldn’t.”

  “Me?”

  “Of course you,” he said with a chuckle. “I’ve waited five years for you to grow up. I knew you never had your first season. I didn’t want you to feel you were never given a choice. If you had been allowed your season, I would’ve been in England to court you.”

  Andrea blushed and cast her eyes down. “I would have liked that.”

  “Me, too,” he said, putting his finger under her chin and tilting her head up. As his head began to lower, there was a sudden urgent knocking at the door.

  “Come back later,” Miles called.

  “Open this door this instant, Mr. Huntington.”

  A mild expletive escaped under his breath at the sound of the captain’s voice. “Do you want to face him with me or hide in the other room?”

  “Huntington!” the captain shouted angrily.

  “Hide,” she whispered hearing the captain’s tone. She made a move toward the open bedroom door, but Miles did not release the hand he was holding. She turned and met his eyes.

  “Andi, will you marry me?”

  “Yes,” she whispered loudly, urgently.

  “Hurry, before he lets himself in.”

  She lifted her skirts and ran into the bedroom. As soon as Andrea shut herself in, a wide smile crossed his lips. He knew the moment Levi Bloodworthy heard that he had dismissed her guards that he would be knocking at his door. Even if Andrea changed her mind, her fate was sealed when she stepped into his suite. He knew Levi was not going to allow him to tarnish her reputation again. He knew it was underhanded of him, but frankly, he was not sure of her answer to his proposal.

  Miles tried to school his expression, but it was difficult in light of her acceptance. It was not going to help Levi’s temper for Miles to be smiling like a cat with its lip white with pilfered cream. It did
not work. Miles was still grinning when he finally opened the door. The two sailors he had dismissed glared at him as they moved back into position in front of Andrea’s door.

  “Dammit, Miles! What game are you playing at?”

  “Me? I don’t know what you mean.” He tried to feign innocence.

  “Is she here?”

  When Miles did not answer, Levi Bloodworthy crossed to the bedroom door and opened it. He crooked his finger at her, bidding her to join them.

  Miles was shocked when she emerged. She had pulled the pins from her hair and had unbuttoned the top two buttons of her dress. She immediately crossed the room to him and put her arms around him. He looked down at her completely baffled, but his arm went around her and he pressed a kiss against her temple. He knew she had intentionally made it look as if they had been caught in flagrante delicto. Apparently, she did not intend to take any chances either.

  “When do you want to get married, Andi?” he asked, not waiting for Levi to force the issue.

  “No,” Levi said forcefully. “I’ve had enough of this tomfoolery. The only choice I’m giving you, is whether you marry her privately or publicly. By heavens, you will be married within the hour.”

  Miles pulled her more firmly to his side. “That’s unfair to Andrea. She needs time to get used to the idea.” More accurately, he suspected, she needed time to get used to the idea of what would come after the wedding.

  “It’s fine, Miles,” she whispered.

  He suspected she did not want to wait because a delay would give her fears about making love time to build. Miles was acutely aware of how fast Andrea breathing. No doubt if he lifted her hand, he would find her trembling.

  “Are you sure, Andi? Just because Levi demands it, doesn’t mean we have to comply,” he said, sparing a quick glance at his captain.

  “Please, I don’t want to cause any more trouble.”

  “Go change into your prettiest dress, and I’ll take care of everything else. I’ll get Ruth to help you fix your hair.”

  “Can Ruth come to the wedding?”

  He smiled gently at her. “Of course”

  “And Phillip?”

  “Phillip?”

  “He’s always kind to me when he brings my meals.”

  “I’m sure he can be excused from his duties.”

  “Wouldn’t it be fun to get married in the crow’s nest?” she said with a mischievous spark.

  “Absolutely not,” Levi bellowed rolling forward on the balls of his toes.

  “He’s afraid of heights,” Miles said in a stage whisper.

  Andrea laughed and hurried out of his suite.

  30

  Andrea James stood in front of the mirror inside the door of her wardrobe looking at herself, wondering if Miles would think she was pretty enough to be his bride. Even with the sun she had been exposed to, she appeared pale, and felt a bit nauseated.

  “Miss James, did you need me to talk to you about what happens afterwards?” Ruth asked timidly.

  Although Andrea had always been polite, she had never been overly friendly. Ruth hadn’t taken offense. She just thought the young woman was reserved in a shy sense. Mr. Huntington specifically asked her to broach the subject, but as usual, Andrea was not particularly forthcoming.

  “I think I understand the mechanics of it,” Andrea said quietly.

  Nervous about the conversation already, Ruth couldn’t help but giggle at her odd response.

  Andrea frowned and drew herself up, her face turning placid and her body rigid. “It’s all right. My mother has spoken to me.”

  “Good. I wasn’t really sure what to say. My mother was of no help at all. I probably wouldn’t have been much help either.”

  Andrea nodded. What was there to say? What could anyone say to prepare a young woman for what was bound to be one of the singularly most unpleasant experiences of her life? How could one placate another’s fear with mere words?

  “I’ll see if they’re ready for you.”

  A few minutes later, Miles stood at her door dressed in a double-breasted navy blue wool coat and trousers. It was nearly the same as the captain’s uniform, but completely devoid of any rank insignia. He looked more handsome than the day they had met five years earlier. He presented himself with an air of quiet confidence that made her feel breathless. She didn’t understand how she could be so attracted to a man and yet so afraid of what he would do to her later that evening.

  “You look beautiful,” he said.

  She wore her pale blue dress that seemed to reflect the blue of her eyes. As with all of the dresses she’d brought with her, it was practical with a modest neckline, but to Miles it was the most beautiful dress in the world because she was wearing it to their wedding. Ruth had pinned her hair into an intricate woven pattern in the back and had surrounded the pattern with a braid that seemed to have no beginning or end. Delicate blonde wisps curled down from her temples framing her face. He noted her pallor and how unnaturally still and erect she stood.

  “Nervous?”

  “I’m fine,” she said, but to his eyes, she clearly was not.

  “Are you? You look like you’re ready to swoon.”

  “I’m not sure my meal is going to stay down,” she admitted.

  A sympathetic chuckle escaped his lips. He took a hold of her hands. “Look at me.” He waited until her eyes met his before he continued. “Everything is going to be fine. I love you, Andrea. I want you to be happy and I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure you are.”

  Andrea swallowed nervously and her eyes turned red as water filled her bottom lids. She took a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

  Miles scowled. Tears were not what he wanted to see in her eyes on their wedding day. “You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”

  Andrea bit her lip. “I do. I do want to marry you—not only because Captain Bloodworthy demanded it. It’s just… I want it over with.”

  “It?”

  Miles was glad her mother was not there. If she had been, he might have resorted to berating the woman who would soon be his mother-by-marriage.

  “Andi, we’re not just going to do it to get it over with. We may not make love at all tonight. You already told me you do not feel well. I am not an animal with no control of myself.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said, casting her eyes down.

  Miles put a finger under her chin and gently lifted her head until she raised her eyes to his. “Never be sorry for being honest with me. I like knowing what is going on in your mind. You’re so good at hiding your feelings, it’s hard for me to know unless you tell me.”

  Andrea bit her lip and nodded, her eyes wide with wonder that Miles cared what she thought. She had been taught she must yield to her husband’s wishes, to do and be what he would want, regardless of her opinions and needs.

  “Shall we?” he asked, extending his hand to her. When she placed her trembling hand in his, he gave it a small reassuring squeeze.

  “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see.” He led her down to the deck where twenty lanterns made a large circle with Levi Bloodworthy inside awaiting them.

  “Here?”

  “Is this all right?”

  “It’s perfect,” she said with a small smile. “No one I know has been married under the stars. It’s only right that we should be married under You-Know-Whose Perfect Plumage and the Cloud Monkey Ship.”

  As Miles and Andrea stepped into the circle of lanterns and began taking their vows, neither was aware of the growing crowd of onlookers.

  To Andrea it was magical, and she wondered how he had mysteriously produced a wedding ring for her. Was it borrowed for the ceremony?

  Butterflies danced in her stomach when the captain said he could kiss the bride.

  “There is no duke, earl, or marquess in all of Great Britain whom I would rather marry more than you,” she said softly as she turned her face up to his.

  A wide smile crossed his handso
me face. “I love you, Andi,” he said as he lowered his lips to hers.

  Miles resisted the urge to haul her body against his and thoroughly ravage her mouth. He had done enough damage to her reputation already without treating her as if they had already been intimate.

  At least, that was his plan.

  He held her face in his hands as he swooped in and gently kissed her. He pulled away after a few seconds and watched as her eyes dreamily fluttered open. Her beauty brought a smile to his lips. He kissed her again, longer, lingeringly. Every pore in his body seemed to jolt to life at the taste of her sweet lips upon his. He had waited for this moment, the moment when she was truly his for so long, he felt quite undone with emotion.

  He opened his eyes as his lips parted, his tongue stroking the seam of her lips, and watched as her eyes flew open in surprise. His eyes rolled slightly as his lids closed, giving in to the sensation as her lips parted and his tongue made its first foray into her mouth.

  He could feel her breath on his upper lip coming in fast short breaths, as if she had just run a race, her breasts brushed against his chest at the apex of her inhalations. His arm lowered to her waist drawing her against him and he rolled his hips forward into the thickness of her skirts.

  Suddenly, Andrea pulled away, her lips still parted and her breath coming raggedly, as she brought her fingertips to her puffy red lips. A bewildered expression crossed her lovely countenance.

  Miles wanted to laugh with joy. She had gotten her first taste of passion and didn’t know what to do about it.

  She placed her hand on his clean-shaven face and smiled shyly at him.

  The prospect of making love to her had him breathless with anticipation, but he could not tell her. He knew she still believed her mother’s version of what happened in the bedroom, so he knew he’d have to take it slow and be ever mindful of her reaction before moving forward. Unless he could coax her gently past her fear, it would be nearly impossible to elicit a response from her body.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Mr. and Mrs. Miles Huntington,” Captain Bloodworthy announced.

  A polite smattering of applause broke out, but only a few people came forward to wish them well.