Touch Me

He laid his hand on her cheek. "I'm trying to make you see reason. Marriage is not bondage. I'm sure Merewether would have willingly made the same sacrifice for his wife."

"Society would never expect it."

"Who cares? Society's expectations have nothing to do with marriage between us."

She wished she could believe him, but even if society's expectations did not rule th

em, the laws of England would. And once she became his wife, he could treat her almost any way he wished with impunity.

Her mind felt muddled with the events of the afternoon and his reasoning.

"We do not have time to discuss this now. My attacker could be getting away as we speak."

Leaning forward, he kissed her firmly on the lips. Then he stepped back. "You're right. The closer we get to port, the more chance he will jump ship and swim for safety rather than risk being caught."

She gave in to the inevitable. "I'll wait here."

He nodded and then stopped at the door and turned. "We will discuss it, though. I will not let you go."

* * *

Chapter 9

« ^ »

There are more English on the island than I expected, both businessmen and plantation owners. However, Ruth and I find the latter unpleasant. We cannot reconcile ourselves to the institution of slavery and I regret that perhaps I have become too vocal in my disapproval. Ashby warns me for my own sake not to go too far, but has never asked me to be quiet for the sake of him and Ruth. So, I am not.

December 3, 1799

Journal of Anna Selwyn, Countess of Langley

The captain looked more like Lady Upworth's description of a dandy than a ship's officer. He wore a carnelian waistcoat, the bright red fabric embroidered with multicolored parrots, and his shirt was an immaculate white lawn topped by a collar much too tall to be comfortable for a man in his position. Even his golden windswept hair looked purposefully casual, rather than unkempt.

He smiled in a most charming manner when Drake introduced him to Thea, and she could not help smiling back. "Miss Selwyn, are you certain the man you saw in your corridor was the same man who attacked you?"

"Absolutely certain." She nodded for emphasis.

"She recognized his smell." Drake moved to stand between her and the ship's officer when he made the comment.

The man gave his charming smile again. "Unfortunately many of my crew do not avail themselves of the opportunity to bathe, miss. I find it hard to believe you could distinguish one from the other based on such a consideration."

Thea moved to sit on the edge of her bed, suddenly tired by the events of the day and the thought that a man had truly tried to kill her. She didn't have the energy to argue her certainty that the man she had seen was indeed her attacker. Drake followed her to the bed and sat next to her. She looked up at him and frowned. Surely he should not behave so familiarly in front of the other man. Word was bound to get back to his aunt.

He winked at her and took her hand. He squeezed it and she felt strength return.

She turned her gaze to the captain. "I have no doubt that the man I saw in the corridor was the villain who tried to throw me overboard."

"Besides, what excuse would a seaman have for being in the passenger stateroom corridor? And why would he run when Thea screamed if he were not guilty?" Drake posed the questions and she warmed at the knowledge that he obviously believed her.

The captain shrugged. "As to that, I couldn't say. I would like to think that my crew are not such a simple lot that the mere sight of a screaming woman would send them running."

He tugged at the edges of his waistcoat. "Would you mind describing him to me?"

"No, of course not, but first please take a seat." Having him hover above her made Thea nervous, and she involuntarily tightened her grip on Drake's hand.

He rubbed his thumb along her palm and she felt comforted.

The captain pulled the single chair away from the small table and sat down. Thea hid a smile at his correct posture. He was unlike any other captain she had ever met.