“If your good friend is still feeling poorly and casting up her accounts, I assure you it was not because of anything I cooked, my lord. As for the money owed, it was agreed upon before I stepped onto your vessel, and I daresay I am wortheverypound.”
“My good friend was the one who in truth needed your services, and it was that sum she determined you were to be paid, Miss Heyford.”
“The feast and service I delivered last night are worth more than a third of the money promised,” she snapped, fisting her hands at her side. “Even you were in raptures when you took the first bite of my prawns in tartare sauce. I’d even go as far as to say your expression was salacious.”
His gaze unexpectedly gleamed. “Ah, you were watching me. This knowledge pleases me.”
Even now, the man was indecently charming. Ignoring the fluttering in her stomach, she fisted a hand on her hip. “I do not care what pleases you,” Georgianna said frostily. “Only that you remit to me the money owed, my lord.”
His gaze narrowed thoughtfully on her. “I do believe that was a genuine statement. How refreshing. You are…different.”
Georgianna was all too aware of her rarity in this world, a lady who was not falling over herself in awe of his wealth and handsomeness. She narrowed her gaze, for while she could admit that he was devilishly handsome and her heart had done that silly little skip, it meant nothing. She had a similar reaction when she ate braised pork in peppered sauce. “I was watchingeveryone’sreception to the first bite of my food. It is what any reputable chef does.”
“What was Lord Pendley’s expression?”
She blinked. “Who?”
“He has a stiff upper mustache and dark red hair. He was standing beside me for most of the night.”
Georgianna could only stare at the earl with a measure of bemusement. The earl’s dark chuckle washed over her in an alarming surge of heat.
“My lord, I—”
“You’ll depart with Mr. Burnell within the hour, Miss Heyford. There is no room for negotiation. Now you may leave my cabin.”
How indifferent he sounded, his bearing growing austere and powerfully intimidating. As if he had not just ruined everything she had been hoping to accomplish.
Panic gripped her chest, squeezing, and for several moments Georgianna felt as if she couldn’t breathe. “My lord, please—”
“Out.”
The command snapped through the small space with chilly authority. Georgianna could see there would be no reasoning with the earl. Tears burned in the back of her eyes, and she stared at him, breathing rapidly, before clenching her fists and stalking from the cabin. Once in the passageway, she paused.
That arrogant, self-absorbed…
Georgianna slammed her eyes closed, pressing the heel of her palm against her forehead. Her family needed that money, and because of her temper, she had lost the opportunity to bargain for an income that would have seen them comfortably secure for a year or more. The awareness of it almost shattered her heart. Hot tears coursed down her cheeks, and she took several ragged breaths.
No, I lost it because those aristocratic nobs are selfish and indifferent to others’ pain and hard work. And why not, when everything they have in life is handed to them?
That terrible feeling of despair once again settled like an immovable anvil on her shoulders.
Oh God, what do I do now?
Chapter Four
“Why are you not in my bed, darling?”
Daniel stared at the churning waters for a few more moments before turning to face his lover. He’d ventured onto the upper deck for the last hour, content with watching the stars and dark beauty of the water while he mulled over business matters. Daniel leaned against the taffrail, liking the feel of the wind against his shoulders. “I am preoccupied.”
Johanna arched a brow and sensually sauntered closer. She peered into the water for a few beats before lifting her regard to his. “What could possibly be more important than being with me at this time of the night? It is after midnight, my lord.”
He bit back his amusement, knowing it would prick her vanity. “It is best you return to your cabin. I am…”Restless. Yet Daniel could not find it in himself to admit this to her, especially as he did not understand the malady plaguing him.
“Is it because of her?” she demanded tightly.
He lifted a brow. “Who?”
Johanna fisted a hand on her hip. “You know who I speak of. I had such wonderful adventures planned for you last night, and you dismissed me from your cabin. My friends were mortified! You have made no effort to make it up to us as yet.”
