He turned to another sailor. “Dunk his head in cold water and keep him in the breech tonight. He needs to be watched.”
“Watched?” she chattered.
“Have you seen him drink like this before?” He began carrying her towards the hatch.
A flush climbed her cheeks. More than once. She didn’t mind that Loudoun was failing financially or even that he considered himself the most charming man to grace England. But his drinking was another problem entirely and it was one of the reasons she had yet to commit to the match. Though his recent possessiveness was a trait that also gave her pause.
Her mother was just behind them and she saw her lips purse. “Answer him, Flora. And while you’re at it, perhaps you can tell him why you are even considering that lout. Honestly, what do you see in him?”
“What do I see in him?” She had rested her hands on Tom’s shoulders as he carried her. Without meaning to, she gripped them tighter. “You’re the one that wanted me to marry. You’re the one that said we needed a head of house. One to keep our line strong.”
“Not our line. Us. Keep us from being taken advantage of,” Lady Segrave huffed.
Flora blinked. Her mother didn’t care about Loudoun’s title? Had Flora just assumed? Her brain was too cold and addled to piece it all together.
“Please tell me that you are not pursuing Loudoun because you thought I wanted it?” Lady Segrave whispered in horror.
Flora loosened her grip on Tom’s shoulders and dropped her head into the crook of his neck. She wasn’t so cold anymore but she was getting sleepy.
“We’ll discuss it in the morning,” she said, all the fight leaving her.
“Lady Segrave.” Tom sounded agitated, though she couldn’t fathom why. “I beg you allow me to help undress her. I swear I will keep my eyes to myself but she is too cold by half. She needs to get out of these clothes immediately.
Distantly, Flora heard the sharp bang of a door flying open.
“I…I…I don’t,” her mother stuttered.
“It is of the utmost importance.” Without asking further permission, he began to undo the buttons of her dress. He tugged and pulled and, when his fingers wouldn’t work, he ripped the clothing off her. “Get her dry things. The warmest she has got.”
As the wet layers came off, her body began to shake uncontrollably. Her knees nearly buckled under her. Her mind was a muddle and while she understood the words as they were said, they didn’t seem to stay in her mind. Their meaning lost. She closed her eyes, sleep overtaking her.
“I’ll need to warm her up. Skin to skin is the best method. We don’t have water for a bath and it will take too long to heat.”
“It just isn’t done,” her mother gasped out.
What did that even mean? She tried to puzzle it out. What about her skin? Was something wrong with it?
He peeled the final layer off her body. The cold air hit her skin making her shudder violently before he swept her into his arms and deposited her in the bed, yanking the covers over her body. It should have felt warm but the cold had penetrated too deeply.
“She could die,” he rumbled out, rough and angry.
He didn’t mean it. Surely a little slip into the ocean wouldn’t be her end.
“What if she’s ruined?” Her mother’s strangled voice choked out as she clutched Tom’s soaked arm.
“It won’t matter if she isn’t here,” Tom barked.
She heard the ripping of more fabric. Was he removing his own clothes?
“I am sure we can keep it secret. I’m here after all, but please,” her mother was pleading now. “If it’s discovered, I can’t have my daughter become a spinster. It’s only us, we need a family to continue on.”
Silence filed the space, so much so, that she the only sound was the chatter of her teeth. “I won’t allow it to happen if it comes to that,” he replied gruffly.
Flora knew this was significant, what was being said. But it didn’t make sense.
“You swear you will not actually compromise her?” Her mother’s voice shook with fear.
“On my honor. Now step out for a moment and allow me to undress. Then you can come back in and chaperone. I will only warm her. I could use the heat too. I’m near frozen.”
She heard the door close softly and then the rustle of clothing before even more cold came into contact with her skin. She gasped, shivering violently away.
“Give it a moment, love, and then you’ll start to warm.” Probably because he was always throwing barbs at her, but until this moment she hadn’t realized how pleasant his voice was. Low and deep it rumbled in a way that filled her with calm. Part of her knew she should be appalled, a man in her bed was shockingly sinful. But even before he touched her, she could feel his heat. She scooted closer, dimly aware of how safe she felt with him.
He pulled her against him, spooning her body to his and began to sing a soft tune. She’d ask him later what it was because she couldn’t focus on the words. But the feeling of it, she would never forget. Her skin began to warm, pressed against his firm body. The shaking slowed, then ceased altogether. For the first time in a long time she was warm and safe. The world didn’t matter. She hadn’t even realized she’d been missing the feeling till she had it here in this tiny bunk.
A soft sigh escaped her lips. “So much better.”
His lips brushed her temple. “If you’re warm enough, I will leave you.”
“Stay,” she said instantly. “I don’t want you to go.”
“A little longer then.” He stroked her drying hair. “Wet like this, you can’t see the red.”
“I detest the red.” She wrinkled her nose.
“Why?” His voice was incredulous as he wrapped a strand around his finger. “It has the same shades of the sun on a clear eve. I’ve never seen the color repeated anywhere in the world.”
A smile touched her lips as she drifted off to sleep.
4
Tom hadn’t meant to but somehow he’d fallen asleep. It was inky black and he had no idea how long he’d been in her room.
Her body fitted to his like it was made to be and he had the urge to stay longer. Truth be told, part of him never wanted to leave. Which meant, he needed to leave immediately.
Lady Segrave had laid his clothes out and they were mostly dry. He must have been here for hours. She slept sitting in the chair, fully dressed, covered in a blanket. Before he left, he would lay her on the bed with her daughter.
She might have been able to warm Flora herself but he had been damn near frozen too. He’d accept whatever consequences resulted because that is what a man did but hells bells this was not part of the plan. He was a single man who prided himself on freedom and adventure. Though his life recently had been far more monotonous with the runs back and forth to Scotland.
The most interesting thing that had happened to him in recent months was his spirited discussion with Flora. It would take years of verbal sparring before a winner could be declared. Bloody hell, that sounded fun.
But not as exciting as deciding to board a ship for China again, or India. Or was it?
He had tried not to look and he’d largely been successful, but the feel of Flora in his arms had been thrilling in ways he’d never imagined. He had wrapped his arms around her, his hand holding hers. He’d been afraid to move it a millimeter for fear of waking her. And though he had wanted her, the emotion was more than lust. He’d kept his hand on hers, not moving them because no man should ever take advantage of a woman injured as she was.
Her mother was right, though, she needed to marry. Lady Segrave had seemed so frail this evening in the face of a crisis. Flora would need someone strong to stand with her. Someone who was looking out for her while she cared for her mother and their property. That sure as hell wasn’t Loudoun. But candidates were slim out here at sea. He just had to pray that no one discovered his night in her bed.
Dressed, he picked up the dowager baroness and placed her on the bed, on top of the cover
s. Then he tucked her blanket around her body.
He made to softly open the door. As long as he slipped back in bed unnoticed, it would all be fine. Stepping out into the hall he ran smack dab into a young boy named Pete.
A new deckhand, the boy was eager to please but chatty as they came. “Whatcha doin’ sir?” he chirped.
Of all the blasted people to find him, only Loudoun himself would be worse. He rolled his shoulders, forcing himself to relax. He’d made his life getting himself out of tight spots. And if he didn’t… well, Flora’s soft body would spend a great deal more time pressed against his.
Not that he wanted that.
“Checking on the baroness and her mother.” He emphasized the and in hopes Peter would understand it was fully chaperoned.
“Good thinking. My sister nearly caught her death falling into water like that.” Peter grinned, then his eyes scrunched up. “Are your clothes still damp, sir? You ought to change. How have you been in them this long? She fell in the water hours--”
Tom swallowed. Would this boy never go away? “I’ve been busy all evening. I’ve hardly noticed.”
“Huh?” He tilted his head to the side. “Haven’t seen you all night.”
“Other matters,” he answered harshly. Peter needed to disappear.
“Oh, were you checkin’ on the storm?”
That drew Tom up to his full height, which was well over six feet. If he hadn’t been so distracted he would have noticed the deadly calm that had befallen the ship. A sure sign rough seas were on their way. “If you will excuse me, I have a great deal more to do.”
“Yes, sir.” Peter nodded and continued down the hall.
Tom raced to his room and threw on dry clothes, his body already losing heat from the slightly wet ones. If Peter believed he’d been in them all night, the boy had no sense. He was instantly warm again, thinking about how exactly he had spent the last several hours.
Tossing on his pea-coat, he headed above deck, to find their chief navigator, Carl Wilson, and the captain deep in conversation.
Captain Andrews looked up at his approach. “How is our passenger?”
“Fine.” He gave a brief nod.
“Good.” Captain Andrews wiped his brow.
“What of the storm?” Tom asked.
“The calm is eerie. I don’t know that I’ve seen the like.” The captain looked out to the sea.
“We should find a port and shelter.” Tom raked his hand through his sleep-matted hair.
“We’ve weathered plenty of storms like this,” Carl replied.
Tom gave the man a long look before he answered, irritation making his face stony. There were times to take chances but this was most definitely not one of them. In life, a man had to learn when to be smart. Flora’s soft features flitted through his mind. It was his duty now to keep her safe. Carl began to fidget under his scrutiny. “Our hold is loaded to the gills, the ship won’t be that agile, and we’ve got passengers to consider.”
“I agree with Tom.” Captain Andrews continued to watch the sea. “There’s an island not too far ahead. An old deserted castle sits on it that can provide shelter if we need it, and it’s got a good harbor.”
“You don’t want to go to the mainland?” Carl asked.
“It will take hours with the wind this quiet. The island is much closer.” Tom knew the exact place the captain had suggested. It had been abandoned for nearly forty years but the castle was reasonably sound and would provide enough protection if they needed it.
The plan in place, Tom decided to use the three hours it would take to reach the island to gather supplies. If they should have to abandon the ship, it would be far better to have food, blankets, and clothing at the ready.
FLORA WOKE SLOWLY. Stretching, she became aware that she wasn’t wearing clothing and that someone else was in her bed. Turning sharply, her mother’s face came into view.
A mixture of relief and disappointment caused her to exhale sharply as memories of the night before flashed through her muddled mind.
He hadn’t really been in her bed without clothing, had he? It must have been a dream. But she was bare and he had been just as wet. She should be scandalized, but never had she been so safely wrapped in comfort. And something else tingled below that. Excitement and… desire. A man like Tom Maddox had not been part of the plan but another conversation from last night drifted through her thoughts. Had her mother said she cared not whether Flora married a lord?
Was her mother aware Tom had stayed? Snippets of their conversation came back. Had he said he would do right by her? Would she even want that? He was a man who commanded authority and she wanted her autonomy.
“Your mind is turning so quickly, I can hear it working.” Her mother pushed herself up and off the bed.
“What happened?” There was no point denying what her mother had said.
Her mother shook out some of the wrinkles in her skirt. “You were freezing and turning blue.” Her mother cleared her throat, then dropped her voice to a whisper. “Mr. Maddox helped to warm you.”
Her eyes bulged opened and then pressed closed. Dear lord, he’d seen her unattired. She grew warmer at the thought and an ache started in her core. Pressing her fingers to her temples she tried to calm the storm building in her body. “Mother,” she hissed.
Her mother sighed. “I know, darling. I’m sorry. He agreed to marry you if you’re discovered.”
Flora’s hands dropped and her mouth fell open. He’d marry her to save her? She didn’t want a husband out of pity, even if her body did heat at the thought of being near him like this again.
Her mother stepped closer. “He isn’t what you want in a husband, but he’s a fine man, despite being a little rough around the edges. You’re strong enough to smooth them.”
“He isn’t what I want?” She sat up, pulling the covers with her. Her mother had this all wrong. “He isn’t what you want. You’ve told me over and over how we need to make ourselves stronger with a good match, that the two of us aren’t enough.” She wasn’t sure she even wanted to marry. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. When she thought of sharing a bed with a man like Tom, her blood heated. But not at the expense of being a capable contributing person.
“Flora, you aren’t—” A sharp knock at the door interrupted her mother.
Flora burrowed back under the covers while her mother slid the door open a crack, her voice low as she asked, “Yes?”
The low rumble of a male voice Flora didn’t recognize came from the other side of the door.
“I understand,” her mother answered. The door clicked closed and Flora peeked out but the other woman was gone.
Flora jumped out of bed and grabbed a fresh chemise and pantaloons. She scrubbed her face, reaching her hands into a bowl of water, when she heard the door clicked back open. Water running into her eyes, she didn’t bother to look up.
“Would you pass me a towel?” she asked, thinking her mother had returned or their maid had arrived.
“Of course,” Tom’s deep voice rumbled behind her.
She gasped, blinking water out of her eyes. A blush started in her cheeks and travelled down her body to see him again after last night. But that place between her thighs gave a throb of excitement at his nearness. “You can’t be here.” A dry towel found her hand which she used to swab the water.
What was he thinking? She’d be ruined for sure and then…
His eyes burned into hers. “I’ve seen far more of you than this.” The heat of his gaze made her ache all the more. Should she throw him out or throw herself into his arms?
“A gentleman would never say such--”
“I think we’ve established, I’m no gentleman.” His eyes made a slow perusal of her then, a smile tilting one corner of his lips.
Those words made her blush deepen and she pulled the towel up to her neck, its folds covering her chest. She took a step back. “Oh,” she whispered, trepidation mixing in with her excitement.
“I’v
e only come to ask you to pack up your most essential items.” His look softened then, the intensity leaving his gaze. He took the towel from her hand and wiped a rivulet of water on the side of her face. His touch was calm, gentle, and she relaxed again.
“Why?” Though the tension between them made her a touch afraid, with her safety she trusted him absolutely. Her hand reached out to him and he took it, pulling her into his arms. Without a corset or dress, their bodies melded together in a most intimate way. Was this how it was to be married? She was drawing heat and comfort from him but just underneath that was excitement. She inhaled, breathing in his masculine scent that mixed with the salt of the sea. Her hands came to his chest, resting against the taut muscles underneath. Her breath caught as he settled her closer.
“A storm is coming,” he whispered in her ear.
He must be talking about the one beginning to rage in her body. Everything was quickening, beating wildly as warmth radiated out. “A storm?”
“Now listen. You stay in your room. It’s safer than out on deck.” He kissed her neck then and trailing his lips along the edge of her jaw, his lips found hers and claimed them. That was all she could think… he had claimed them.
Because white hot tingling spirals of passion coursed through her blood and collected in her most intimate of places. It was overriding her sense of propriety and her fear of the storm. How strange.
Then a moment later he lifted his head again, his eyes devouring her. “We’re going to find harbor on an island but if anything goes wrong, I’ll come for you.” He kissed her one more time.
She realized he was leaving again and they hadn’t really talked about anything. Most certainly not about last night or what it meant and definitely not about his contingent offer of marriage. “Thank you, Tom. It’s not that I don’t appreciate it but we need to talk--”
His hand cradled the back of her neck, his lips whispered across hers one last time cutting off her words. “I won’t let anything happen to you but I have to go. After the storm we’ll discuss--” He kissed her again.
“Ahem.” Her mother’s voice came from behind them. “Your invitation into this room was for last night only.”
Taming a Savage Gentleman: Taming the Heart Series Page 3
