Regency Romance: The Earl’s Unexpected Journey Of Love (The Fairbanks Series - Love & Hearts) (Historical Romance Fiction)

by Jessie Bennett

  “How much of that stuff you think this princess has with her? Rouge, I mean.”

  Joshua felt a stab of anger, and was relieved and surprised when the first man sprang to defend her as he would have wished to.

  “Shut your daftness when it comes to the Lady Juliette. She’s a good woman. You can see it. Even a pillock like you, eh Luke?”

  Luke nodded in agreement. “She does look a good lass, for a fine lady. I never meant no offense,” he said quietly.

  The first man glanced back and noticed that Joshua was behind them, listening to every word he said. His mouth clamped shut and he looked embarrassed. He said nothing more, just moved quickly down the small hallways to the cabins, trying to get there without dropping any of the bags. Joshua was a bit amused by it. When they reached the outside of Juliette’s hut, he paused. “Please pass my compliments to the lady Juliette, and tell her I will see her soon,” he asked.

  “Yes, my lord,” both men responded at the same time, looking up at him with baffled expressions.

  Joshua turned around and hurried back toward the steps, feeling slightly silly. Once he emerged in the bright sunlight, he spotted his uncle crossing the deck toward him. He lifted his hand in greeting.

  “Uncle!” he shouted, surprised.

  “Hello, nephew,” his uncle smiled. “You're ready for the trip?”

  Joshua nodded. “Yes, sir.”

  “I am decided: I am coming along with you.”

  Joshua raised his eyebrows. “You are coming along on the trip?” He couldn’t help smiling again.

  “That is what I said, yes.” His uncle grinned at him, looking exasperated.

  “I am glad to have you along, Uncle, but you have no provisions!”

  “I had almost everything still packed from our last voyage, nephew. I am well-stocked, I assure you.” his uncle was smiling patiently, and Joshua sighed a relieved breath.

  “I am glad to have you with me, Uncle. You can help me. I have discovered that I am watching after not one but two ladies on this trip.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes! Lady Juliette has brought along a maidservant. She seems like a lovely young lady. I think I annoyed Lady Juliette and the maidservant gave me a very sympathetic look, I must say.” He bit his lip, shyly.

  Cain frowned. “How did you annoy the lady?”

  Joshua looked down at the deck floor. “I may have inadvertently hurt her feelings by laughing at her. I was not truly laughing at her, Uncle.” He said at once, noting the look his uncle was giving him. “I found it amusing when she introduced her maid by her diminutive name. No, not even amusing. Endearing. I smiled because it was a touching gesture. She thought I was laughing at her. ”

  Cain’s face changed from confusion to suppressed amusement. “She did?”

  “Yes,” Joshua said, knowing his face was red and not caring how silly he seemed to his uncle.

  “My intention was not to insult her. I know you know that. I believe you know my feelings.”

  “That I do, nephew. Perhaps you should apologize to her.”

  “Oh, I have. Believe me, I did that at once. But she still seemed annoyed.”

  “I suppose you will have to continue your apologetic behavior until she forgets about it,” Cain proposed.

  “I suppose.” Joshua felt wretched. How long will it take? he wanted to ask. But he did not want to seem like a pettish boy to his uncle.

  “We will all have dinner with the captain tonight,” Cain was saying, and Joshua was grateful to him for dropping the topic. “Come; let me show you where I will be staying.”

  “Your cabin is not on the starboard side with mine?”

  “No,” his uncle admitted.

  “Why?”

  “There were no more cabins on that side – the result of impetuous decisions, dear nephew, is that the best bits are taken by those who planned ahead.”

  Joshua laughed, and the two men walked away across the deck.

  Juliette came out from behind the double doors, heading to the deck for fresh air. She could not help that she had overheard Joshua’s conversation.

  What did Joshua mean by his uncle “knowing how he felt”? She wished she knew. She was glad his intention had not been to insult her.

  She moved up the steps and came out on the deck, looking up at the bright sky above. She hoped it would prove to be an uneventful voyage. Once they reached Africa, they would do much traveling by horseback. She knew, because her father had described the journey from the port to the outlying villages where the mission had been built. She was grateful to have Joshua with her, and even more grateful for the solid presence of his uncle. However much Joshua confused and vexed her, his uncle would be a steady and reliable man.

  Betts followed behind her a few moments later. Watching the older woman walk carefully to the centre of the deck, Juliette wondered if she should confide in her exactly what she was thinking about Joshua and his uncle. She knew her father did not believe in confiding in the servants, but Betts was a friend. And she was all alone.

  “What do you think of this bright sky, Betts?” she asked, striking up conversation.

  “I think we are blessed to depart from England in such good weather.”

  “I hope the weather holds out all the way to Africa!” Juliette exclaimed.

  “I do, too! It’s going to be quite an adventure.” Betts sounded as excited as she looked.

  Juliette smiled. “I know. I am excited as well. I have been waiting for this opportunity for years.”

  “Yes, you have,” Betts replied fondly. She stroked a stray curl of wisped blonde hair out of her eye, and patted Juliette's hand.

  The two women fell into a comfortable silence, standing at the railing of the ship and watching the workers on the dock.

  “When do you think we will be leaving, milady?”

  Juliette thought about it, scanning the scene. Men were running all over the ship, doing various tasks to prepare for the journey. The ramp leading up to the deck was still down, indicating there were more passengers, luggage or supplies that needed to be brought on board. “I am really not sure,” she said finally. “I believe we are set to leave in a few hours, but that is all I know.” She glanced at her maidservant, noticing for the first time that she looked drained. “Are you all right, Betts? You look tired. You aren’t going to get sick, are you?” She frowned slightly.

  “No, milady, I am well. I am weary, yes, but not ill. Boats don’t make me feel ill.”

  Juliette nodded. “You can retire belowdecks. I am staying here awhile and will not need your attendance.,” she said kindly.

  “I do not want to leave you alone, Miss.” She sounded concerned. “Them sailors look a rough set to me.”

  Juliette chuckled. “That is why Father sent the earl of Swansea to accompany me.”

  “But you barely know him, milady! He can be no companion for you.”

  “I need to become acquainted with him. We will be spending a great deal of time together.”

  Betts bit her bottom lip, clearly considering her next words carefully. “You did not seem pleased with him earlier.”

  “As I said, he was laughing at me. But later overhead him saying he intended no harm. I have forgiven him.” Juliette felt quite magnanimous, saying it.

  Betts looked relieved. “I am glad to hear that, milady. He seems a fine young gentleman to me.”

  “I hope that he is,” Juliette said feelingly. “We shall find out the truth of that. Regardless, Father sent him to watch over me, so you don’t need to be concerned.”

  “You should not be left alone with those sailors, though,” the woman said stubbornly.

  Juliette shook her head. “Do not be concerned. I will be well. I will find our disappearing earl now and I will stay with him until I see you again. How does that sound?”

  Betts looked pleased. “Very good, milady. And thank 'ee. I need to rest awhile.” Her eyes lingered on Juliette’s face for a moment, as if she was unsure whet
her she was doing the right thing. Juliette laughed.

  “Will you go? Go on now!” She flapped a playful hand at her. Betts giggled and went down below deck. Juliette watched her go with a small grin, shaking her head and rolling her eyes in amusement.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  A MISUNDERSTANDING

  A MISUNDERSTANDING

  Just after Betts went down to take her nap, Juliette went in search of Joshua and his uncle. They may have been at the older man's cabin a few minutes before, but that did not necessarily mean they were still there. They were likely talking to the captain. After searching below deck, Juliette went up to the bridge. That was where she found them, standing against the rail looking out to sea.

  As she walked over to where they were, she noticed sailors who had been casually working their various stations turned to stare, or froze in place, their eyes moving from her to Joshua and his uncle and then back to her. It gave her an uncomfortable feeling. Betts was right: the ship was not a safe place for an unaccompanied gentlewoman, and she was glad of the presence of the two men, however great her misgivings about them.

  They were standing to the side of the tiller, both staring out at the ocean. Cain’s arms were folded over his chest, but Joshua stood more casually, one hand in a pocket, the other at his hip.

  I wonder what they are talking about, Juliette mused curiously. Try as she might, she couldn’t hear a word before they spotted her. Joshua smiled immediately. She smiled back politely.

  “Well met, Lady Juliette. It is a pleasure to see you here,” he said.

  “And you, as well, Lord Hershey. I trust you have settled in well?”

  “That is precisely what I wished to ask you, my lady.”

  “I have, thank you,” she said primly.” It is a surprise to see your uncle here,” Juliette observed, smiling at the older man.

  “I couldn't let this young sprig have all the adventure on his own,” the older duke grinned easily. When Joshua laughed, he added, “at the last minute, plans were made for me to accompany you both. There may be some business I can attend to while there.”

  “Will you be parting ways with us when we arrive?” Juliette was surprised and it showed in the tone of her voice. She stood beside Joshua, her fingers laced together behind her back.

  “No, my lady. I will be remaining with you the entire time. It is them who will come to me.”

  “Ah, I see.” Juliette nodded. She looked out the window in front of them, following Joshua’s steady gaze. She saw nothing but waves and water. Land passed them by at a distance, slowly. The ship had just cast off. She felt the unsteady motion under her feet and wondered at it. She felt as if the water was directly under her, buoying her up like an unseen hand. It was a feeling to which she had become accustomed as a child, traveling to the Continent with her parents, and it was strangely reassuring to feel it at that moment.

  Joshua, standing beside her, turned to look at her. He studied her profile for a moment. She had a small nose, petite and childishly pretty. He smiled for just a second before pulling his lips back down. She might think he was laughing at her, and he was not going to risk it. He reluctantly looked back out of the window.

  “What are you looking at, my lord?” Juliette glanced at him. He took the opportunity to look her in the eye for a moment.

  “Nothing in particular, my lady.” Blinking prettily, Juliette gazed at him and then looked away. Joshua wanted to chuckle, but didn’t. She seemed so soft sometimes. Other times, the red in her hair came out and he felt she was a force to be reckoned with. There was no doubt she was a confident woman, even at the young age of twenty.

  “It is as if the earth drops off out there, doesn’t it?” she sighed. “But we just keep moving along the surface of the water. I know that this is quite obvious to you, as seasoned travelers,” She gave them both a pretty, genuine smile. “But it is something I have just observed.”

  Joshua nodded. “Yes, my lady.”

  “Do you think the weather will hold out through to June and we will have no trouble?” she asked quietly.

  The men looked at each other. It was Joshua who answered. “I know nothing of what is expected, but I pray we will have an uneventful trip.”

  She drew in a deep breath. “I wholeheartedly agree with you, my lord.”

  They fell into a comfortable silence for a moment.

  Juliette only stayed for a short time. She turned and curtsied prettily.

  “I believe I shall retire a while below. Good day, my lord, your grace.”

  “Good day, Lady Juliette.”

  As she walked down the deck, a tall, lugubrious man crossed over to talk to the earl and his uncle. He was addressed as “captain”, so Juliette assumed this was Captain Bramley, the commander of the ship. She lingered at the rail, interested in their conversation. She was surprised when she heard the captain say to Joshua: “It appears she will be no trouble, my lord?”

  Juliette stepped out of the doorway, her heart hammering in her chest. She sincerely hoped she herself was not the “she” who was going to be trouble! She pictured Joshua’s handsome face in her mind and felt a surprising pain. Her feelings were hurt. She had been under the impression he liked her in at least some way. Apparently, he was not confident she would be a good shipmate. Because she was a woman? She tried to reason with herself. It could have been any “she”: even the ship is a she! Why would I assume it was me they were discussing?

  As she lingered there, Cain answered the man. “We did not think she would be trouble, sir. We were merely hoping she would not have trouble aboard the ship on such a long journey. There are rough winds, rough seas...rough men.”

  “This is her first journey overseas?” the captain responded gently.

  “She traveled to the Continent as a child, I understand,” Cain demurred. “But this is the longest journey.”

  “Well, then!” The serious looking man smiled, unexpectedly, “we shall do what we may to ensure her comfort”

  “That would surely be appreciated,” Joshua said carefully. The man beamed at him and nodded.

  Juliette was surprised by how relieved she felt. So she was not thought to be a nuisance! She felt pleased not to have been so unexpectedly betrayed.

  Juliette found herself in the captain's cabin for dinner just a few hours later, after a long nap. She had dressed carefully, knowing that the earl and his uncle would be there.

  She was surprised when the earl himself drew out her chair. The cabin was dark, wood-paneled and surprisingly elegant. She sank into the padded seat and looked at the food before them. Joshua was across from her and his uncle sat next to him. Juliette had already secured permission for her handmaid, Betts, to attend her. She was more of a friend on this trip than a servant – the only friend in whom she could be certain, in any case.

  After the initial greetings, Juliette remained cool with Joshua, not even really looking at him, and directing most of her conversation to his uncle or to Captain Bramley. She knew it was rude and flushed a deep red. When she finally glanced up at him, she felt a wave of compassion. The look in his friendly eyes was almost beseeching, and did not match the insulting grin from before. She told herself she was simply looking for an excuse to be upset with Joshua.

  The more she analyzed the situation, the more it became apparent that she was behaving this way because she was attracted to him. The thought made her blush even more. She hated it and cursed the red cheeks she knew he could see. What must he be thinking of her?

  Across the table from her, Joshua’s heart was pounding. Juliette seems flushed. I hope it is not the heat? I hope it is the heat, not chagrin. She was blushing furiously. The pink in her cheeks made her look even prettier. When she looked up at him and her green gaze was caught in his, he thought his heart might stop. He tried not to think about how soft her lips looked. They looked perfect for kissing. The thought made him grin despite himself.

  Juliette looked up to see his smile. She wanted to smile back. She presse
d her lips together firmly, though she could not disguise the lift at the corners.

  “It seems we are all assembled. Shall we eat?” The captain raised his glass of wine.

  The proposal was greeted with a chorus of enthusiasm, and dinner was served.

  A sailor appeared, bearing a large tray of food. Soon, the room was filled with the sound of chatting voices and forks scraping against plates, the soft gurgle of wine poured into glasses.

  “Your chef is remarkable, Captain,” Joshua said out of the blue.

  “We have but a lowly cook on this ship, sir,” the captain replied.

  Juliette watched Joshua as he lifted his wine glass in the air. “Nonsense. The man prepares delicious meals. He is a chef, not merely a cook.” He grinned.

  “Thank you for the compliment, Lord Hershey.”

  “We always enjoy traveling with you, Captain Bramley,” Cain said.

  “Thank you, your grace. In return, I must say I never hear any harsh words about you two from the crew. That could be said to be an accomplishment.”

  “Ah, but isn’t that what you would tell all of your passengers?” Cain laughed. The other guests – a tall, quiet man whom Juliette distantly remembered being introduced as Sir Oliver Wright, a military man, and an older, thickset major – laughed appreciatively.

  The captain shrugged. “No need. My money is in merchandise – I just happen to have some cabins dressed up for passengers of your caliber.”

  Joshua grinned, and the other passengers laughed. In the diversion, Joshua allowed himself to settle his eyes on Juliette. She glanced at him but immediately looked away. He wondered if she was upset about something.

  Instead of looking at her just to admire her face or her hair, he looked at her to see if he could tell what she was thinking. It was distracting to have him so close to her. He wanted her to look at him. He wanted to grab her in his arms and pull her to him, force her to look right at his eyes. He wanted to press his lips against hers and cast away all her fears. However, she would you not look at him. Try as he might, he couldn’t think of any reason why she would you not want to. Did she not think he was handsome? Was he rude? What was it about him that made her turn away so?