“Raj and Charlie sailed her to make it easier on Charlie and the girls. Couldn’t you take Raj’s ship rather than go overland. It would be faster and far harder for anyone to capture you. You could be there and back in time for Christmas.”
“I thought about that, but I don’t know that Raj would agree. He captained the ship on their voyage here. I don’t want to ask him to leave Charlie behind with their nieces. You know she often doesn’t feel well until midafternoon. She tires easily too.”
“Mama and I are here to help her. Would you consider asking?”
“Yes, in the morning.” Ben sighed as Jemma settled back against his chest. They stayed like that for another ten minutes, but they were both soon yawning. They feared they might fall asleep in Theo’s study, and that would cause a scandal neither of them wanted. They didn’t want to be shamed in marrying. While the house was quiet, they noticed lights shining beneath her parents’ chamber and Raj and Charlie’s. As a guest who wasn’t part of the baronet’s family, Ben’s chamber was on the third floor. It tempted Jemma to show Ben where the room was, but the floorboards on the third story squeaked, and Ben’s chamber was above her parents. Theo and Vinita would know if two sets of feet moved above them.
They stopped at the foot of the stairs leading to where Ben would find his chamber. She wrapped her arms around his waist, and he kissed her forehead. That satisfied neither of them. Their lips pressed together, and once more the temptation to take the kiss further nearly consumed them both. But anyone could find them trysting in the passageway, and it would be just as damaging as being found kissing in the study.
“Will you go for a walk with me tomorrow, Jem?”
“Yes. We stay on the grounds, and my maid can accompany us. She’ll be discreet and walk far enough behind us that we can talk without being overheard.”
“Your father gave me permission to court you. I’d like to start then.”
“You don’t think me sitting on your lap, kissing you, wasn’t the start of our courtship?” Jemma waggled her eyebrows, and Ben stifled a groan.
He’d been painful hard while she sat pressed against his length. He ached while they’d just kissed. Her enigmatic smile and mischievous eyes were more alluring than anything he’d ever seen. He’d learned what to do with a woman from trips to the Bedruthan Steps’ tavern and a few others, but noexperienced seductress drew him like Jemma did. He’d told himself he would never have a future with Jemma, so he wasn’t betraying her. He also told himself if ever he did, he should have some idea what he was doing. And he told himself to picture her each time.
“Our walk can be our first official outing as a couple,” Ben suggested.
“I’d like that. I want to go to sleep, so tomorrow gets here faster.” Jemma beamed at him.
“It can’t get here fast enough.”
Chapter Four
Ben came down the stairs the next morning just as Jemma left her chamber. They met on the landing and continued to the dining room where the others already gathered. The servants set out the food out on the sideboard, so Ben picked up two plates, thinking he could balance them with one hand. Jemma shot him a reproving glare and took them from him.
“What would you like?” Ben might have been unable to carry the plates, but he would serve Jemma. She pointed out what she wanted, and they soon realized they preferred the same things. As they smiled at each other, they both knew they pictured mornings alone in their own home one day. When they moved to the table, Jemma put the plates down, and Ben pulled her chair out. He didn’t feel entirely useless.
“Ben.” Raj sat beside him. “Would you consider taking my ship to make your journey shorter and faster?”
“Jemma and I spoke of that last night. I planned to ask you today. If I could sail with the next tide, I could be back by tomorrow night rather than in a week.”
“That’s why I thought it would be good to offer. I’ll sail with you in case there’s any trouble. They’re far less likely to detain me than you. We can leave in an hour.” Raj’s title as anearl earned him immediate deference, even if it wasn’t always from respect. He cared not as long as people stayed away from his family, which included his brother-in-law who he suspected would soon be his cousin-in-law, too.
Their imminent departure was sooner than Ben expected. He turned to Jemma, and he knew it disappointed her that they couldn’t go for their walk. However, they both wanted his journey to be a brief as possible. To have it over and done with by the next night appealed to them far more than any regret that they would miss a stroll that day. He laid his hand on her knee beneath the table and gave it a squeeze. With a plan in place, breakfast became a hurried affair as the men rushed to gather what they needed. Theo sent his oldest son to Raj’s ship to inform the crew of their rapid embarkment. They all disliked moving the cargo in the daylight, but they hurried to load it onto the ship, and they were underway in an hour just as Raj suggested.
Ben stood at the stern and watched Jemma shrink with distance. Raj stood beside him as he waved to Charlie, Indira, and Anjali, whose arm Charlie moved in a wave.
“I’m glad I’m rarely at sea these days. I don’t enjoy leaving them behind.” Raj chatted with Ben when the shore finally faded to nothing.
“Theo asked what I’ll do when I wed Jemma. I can’t merely stop ferrying the goods, but I don’t want the risks anymore. Not after last night. I told him I’d ask you about buying one of your ships. I’d use it to transport the goods until someone else can take over the land routes. I don’t want it to be any of your cousins. Once I’m no longer tied to the cart or ship to smuggle, I’d use it for legal ventures most of the time.” Ben grinned. None of them would ever give up their smuggling ways entirely. “It would provide for Jemma and our family, and it would keep me at home more.”
“Wouldn’t you want to captain your own ship? Do you wish for me to teach you?”
Ben shook his head before pushing hair away from his eyes. “It might be interesting to sail once and a while, but the goal is to be home more not less. I’d like your recommendation on a captain and crew to hire. I’d run things the way you believed your business did before you discovered the truth.”
Discovering his father’s and brother’s nefarious dealings and how they’d used his legitimate business to aid their smuggling shocked Raj. He hadn’t learned of it until after he’d assumed the earldom. It came as an unpleasant surprise, but the arrangement benefited everyone. Raj continued to use his ships for legal and illegal ventures.
“Would you also use them as I do now?” Raj cocked an eyebrow.
“If it allows everyone to be home more often than they’re gone, then I’d far prefer carrying the contraband that way rather than continuing to drive a cart or finding someone else to do that for me.”
“When do you plan to marry my cousin?” Raj turned to face Ben, his back resting against the rail.
“As soon as I can. I know we haven’t courted yet, and I know we avoided one another whenever we were in the same room. I understand most people wouldn’t believe we know each other well enough to decide we suit. But I’ve spent seven years observing Jemma and admiring her. I’ve watched her with your family and the villagers. I see how she is with the village children and your nieces. I see how she’s always the first to offer help. She’ll take on tasks no one wants, but she does them because she knows it’s the right thing to do. She’d share her last bite of food if she thought someone needed it more. She’s ferocious when she defends those she loves. She stood up to Thomas Garris when he tried to start a fight with Daniel. She barely came to both boysshoulders, but Thomas dared insult her older brother, and she would have none of it. In some ways, I think I know more about her from observing at a distance than I would if I were always by her side.”
