“Ladies? Have you said your fond farewells?”
Elspeth released her friend and turned, forcing a smile on her face as she looked at the tall man beside them. “Sir Gordon, I adore you for making Ella so gloriously happy. I hate you for taking her on the adventure that should have been mine.”
Sir Gordon placed his palm against his wife’s back. “Then you shall have to join us.”
Elspeth let out a long sigh. “If only I could. My father indulges me, but even he would not allow me to traipse off to America alone.”
“Gordon? Do not tell me you have found yet another womanwilling to leave England for parts unkno—”
A young man stepped up to Sir Gordon’s other side, and Elspeth could not help but stare, her words caught in her throat. A youth, he appeared to be half Sir Gordon’s age and almost half his size. But a tousle of black hair topped a face almost identical in size and shape to the older man, and eyes the deep blue of a sunlit sea peered from beneath an unruly lock that shaded his brow.
He too stared, his last word cropped short. Twin spots of crimson highlighted his sharp cheekbones. “I-I do not”—he stuttered—“my apologies.”
Sir Gordon chuckled. “Lady Elspeth, may I present my cousin, Lord Timothy Rydell. He is accompanying us on our voyage. Lord Timothy, Lady Elspeth Westridge, daughter of the Earl of Inmarsh. Lady Elspeth, you will have to forgive him. I do not think he was expecting to find a lady such as yourself along the docks. But then, ladies of polite Society are not his forte. He generally prefers a different sort of female companionship.”
The statement bordered on vulgarity, and Ella gasped, her face reddening. “Gordon!” she hissed, as his cheek pinked as well.
Elspeth smiled. “Sir Gordon, I am alone on the docks with only my maid as a companion. I would not at be surprised, nor should I be, if I were mistaken for a ‘different sort’ of woman altogether.” She extended her hand toward Lord Timothy.
“No wonder your father remains in a state of mortification,” mumbled Ella.
Lord Timothy gave a slight bow and took her hand, pressing his lips against the back of her gloved fingers. “Forgive me, Lady Elspeth, but only a complete fool would take you for anything but the lady you are.”
Those eyes!Elspeth’s stomach clenched, her facing heating.
Elspeth gave a brief curtsy. “You are forgiven, my lord. I do wish you a safe journey, for all that I am envious of its occurrence.”
His eyebrows arched as he straightened. “You would wish to join us?”
Ella stepped forward, slipping her arm inside Elspeth elbow. “Lord Timothy, Lady Elspeth dreams of nothing more than exploring our world.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “You should tell your brothers.” She turned, stage whispering to Elspeth. “He has seven!”
Sir Gordon reached for his wife’s hand. “No matchmaking on the docs. Two of those brothers are now married, and Timothy is only nineteen.”
Ella pouted. “Almost twenty.”
A man in what appeared to be a captain’s uniform stepped in behind Sir Gordon. “Sir, we must board now. We will be casting off shortly.”
Sir Gordon nodded. “Of course.” He bowed slightly to Elspeth. “Lady Elspeth, it was an honor for you to see us off. I know Ella will write as soon as she can.”
Ella kissed Elspeth cheek. “Of course, I will. And do not forget what I have said.” She patted Elspeth’s reticule before taking her husband’s arm and matching his stride toward the gangplank.
Lord Timothy Rydell hesitated, studying her.
Elspeth’s eyebrows arched. “My lord. Is there something else?”
He shook his head twice, then nodded. “Your hair . . . it . . . is . . .” He fell silent.
“My lord?
He swallowed. “No.” He crossed his arms. “You would really travel abroad? For months on end?”
“I would. It is my dream.”
He blinked, his entire face turning red. “Then it is not hopeless after all.”
Confusion washed over Elspeth. “I beg your pardon?”
He bowed again. “Excuse me. I have overstepped.” Then he pivoted and strode toward the gangplank. Halfway up it, he looked over hisshoulder at her. And tripped, plunging face first into the water.
