“Emeralds are not proper for a young lady.”The maid glared at Mrs.Turner.“And you should learn your place, if you expect to remain in Lady Rothburne’s employ.I shall write to her about you, see if I don’t.”
Hannah didn’t like her maid’s attitude.She’d considered getting rid of the woman even before now, but she’d had enough of this rudeness.“Estelle, if you wish to stay, you will obey my orders.”
Mrs.Turner drew close.“May I help you with that clasp, Lady Hannah?”
Hannah turned, and Mrs.Turner unfastened the pearls, replacing them with an emerald pendant Estelle grudgingly gave her.
“Go and find some refreshments for Lady Hannah,” the matron suggested to Estelle.“A glass of lemonade, perhaps, or a bit of cake.”
“Chocolate cake,” Hannah breathed, like a prayer.
“Chocolate, then.”
“But Lady Rothburne has strictly forbidden—”
Mrs.Turner shut the cabin door in the maid’s face.Dusting off her hands as though they were well rid of her, the widow offered a broad smile.“I’ve been wanting to thank you for granting me a place to sleep.”
“It’s no trouble.”Hannah struggled with her stockings, and Mrs.Turner helped her to adjust them.
The widow added, “If you don’t mind my saying so, I think you should get a lady’s maid who is a bit more loyal to you than your mother.”
“You may be right.”
Mrs.Turner fussed over her, helped her finish dressing, and exclaimed over the gown.When Hannah was ready, the older woman smiled.“He really does like you, you know.My Michael.He spoke of meeting you at the ball that night.You made quite an impression upon him.”
Why a stranger’s words would make her stomach flutter, Hannah didn’t know.She picked up her fan, feeling like an awkward fifteen-year-old girl once again.She resisted the urge to ask what he’d said about her.It didn’t matter.
And if she told herself that a hundred times, she might actually start to believe it.
A knock sounded at the door, and Hannah saw the Graf von Reischor waiting to escort her to dinner.He murmured a compliment in his native language.Before Hannah could respond with her thanks, Mrs.Turner followed behind them, adding, “Yes, she does look lovely, doesn’t she?”
The Graf turned, staring at the widow.“Do you speak Lohenisch, Mrs.Turner?”
“No, of course not.”A curious smile rested upon her lips.“Why ever would you think that?”
The dining room was exquisite and could hold nearly four hundred first-class passengers.Long tables covered with white linen tablecloths gleamed with silver and porcelain plates.Above, an ornate brass chandelier provided lighting while potted tropical plants added a splash of greenery to the tables.
Several guests were already seated, and the gentlemen rose at the sight of her, Michael among them.He wore black evening clothes and a white cravat.His dark hair was sleek and combed back.Even with his grooming, there was an air of impatience about him, as though he were uneasy about being here.He looked like he’d rather be dining in steerage than among the elite.
Hannah nodded politely to the other women after the Graf von Reischor introduced her.One of the ship’s butlers poured her a glass of water and another of wine.
She’d never been allowed to taste spirits before, and she wondered what it would taste like.Would it lure her into a life of sin and greed, the way her mother insisted?
But when she saw that no one else had touched theirs, Hannah restrained herself.
The Graf began introducing her to their dinner companions.“The Marquess of Rothburne is a close friend of mine,” the Graf explained.“He asked me to escort Lady Hannah to her cousins’ home in Germany.She received so many offers of marriage, her father thought it best that she take some time away from London to make up her mind.”
Hannah nearly choked on her soup.It wasn’t at all what she’d expected him to say.After a few more introductions to those seated around her, one of the gentlemen offered her a warm smile, then nodded to the Graf.“I hope she has not made a decision as of yet, Graf von Reischor.”
“She hasn’t,” came a clipped voice.The lieutenant sent the would-be suitor a warning look, and Hannah’s fingers curled over the stem of her wine glass.What gave him the right to be so rude?He was behaving as though he had some sort of claim over her.The glare in his eyes held a shadow she didn’t recognize.Not exactly jealousy, but something that made her skin prickle against the fabric of her gown.
The first course was served shortly thereafter, a bowl of lobster soup.Hannah noticed the lieutenant subtly observing her and the other gentlemen before lifting his own spoon.Surely he must have attended formal dinners before?But then, her father’s ball was the first time she’d ever seen him among her social peers.
Michael sat across from her, and she felt his gaze, like a forbidden caress.There was also a sense of reluctance, as though she were a temptation he didn’t want.
Hannah reached for her glass of white wine, taking a first sip.It held a slight tang, a sweetness that didn’t taste sinful at all.When she glanced over at Michael, he lifted his own glass, and she found herself watching his mouth, remembering his kiss.
The memory pooled through her skin, past her breasts and between her legs.He was staring at her as though he didn’t care who was watching.In a ship such as this, there were a hundred different places to hold a secret liaison.And no one would know.
