“Why?Because you think he’s related to the royal family of Lohenberg?”
The guess was an impulsive prediction, but the Graf’s face paled.“Keep such theories to yourself, Lady Hannah.”
She closed her mouth to keep from gaping.And now it was clear that hedidbelieve the lieutenant had a royal connection.“You’re not serious.”
“I have eyes, Lady Hannah.Any Lohenberg native who encounters Lieutenant Thorpe would see it.He looks like König Sweyn, enough to be his son.”
“You have no proof of his birthright.”
“No.But I intend to find out the truth.”He rested his hand upon the stair banister.“You should be aware that any contact with him bears a risk.”
She took the remaining steps and rested her hand upon the door leading to the promenade deck.“I am returning a watch, nothing more.I see no reason to be afraid.”
As she left, she heard the Graf speaking softly.“He has enemies you can’t even comprehend.”
Michael tucked the handkerchief into his coat pocket, contemplating whether or not he dared ascend to the upper deck.The sea waves were still rough, the ship swaying in spite of the roaring steam engines and paddle wheel.
He wanted fresh air and the coolness of the night.As he entered the upper deck of theOrpheus, the rocking motion of the ship became more pronounced.Wind billowed through the sails, and he heard the groaning of ropes straining against their knots.
The game of Forfeit had taken a turn he hadn’t intended.He didn’t know why he’d deposited his pocket watch and joined the game.At the time, he hadn’t really understood the rules.But later, he’d been angry at the thought of the ladies bidding on it.Lord Brentford had practically offered his daughter’s hand in marriage, when he’d only just met the girl.No doubt if she’d won the bid, Miss Nelson would have asked him for a kiss.He wouldn’t have given it.He despised people staring at him with expectations he couldn’t possibly fulfill.
But Lady Hannah had intervened, casting a bid to guard his privacy.She’d faced down the women, protecting him from having to make an idiot out of himself.
There wasn’t a man at the dinner table who hadn’t wanted her to pay their choice of a forfeit.The thought of any man touching her was enough to make him bend a silver fork in half.
She’s not yours.Never will be.
He knew that.And he’d done his best to keep his hands off her.She was a woman of Quality, a diamond who needed a polished setting in order to shine.
But he wasn’t a damned saint.He desired her, knowing exactly the way he wanted to worship her body.He wanted to taste her skin, to run his mouth over her flesh until she cried out with pleasure.
What did it matter whether or not a gentleman bid upon Lady Hannah’s handkerchief?She deserved the opportunity to make a good marriage.Certainly, the gentlemen on board the ship had no idea of the scandal.
For so long, she’d been trapped in her father’s cocoon.Now was her chance to rip away the rigid rules and gain her freedom.He was a selfish bastard, wanting her to surrender to him.
Michael rested his hand upon the wooden railing, staring out at the dark waters.What was it about her that drew him in, like a seedling to the sun?She wasn’t anything like the women he’d known while he was in the Army.Kind-hearted, well-bred, and beautiful, she belonged with an English lord who would sleep in a separate bedroom and let her plan the household menus and entertainment.
She didn’t belong with a man like him.A man with baser urges, who would much rather unravel those sensibilities than uphold them.
When he’d made the ridiculous bid of a thousand pounds, it hadn’t been a true charitable contribution.It had been a warning to the other men to stay away from Lady Hannah or they would regret it.Like a beast marking his territory, he’d laid claim to her.
But now what was he supposed to do?
Footsteps sounded behind him.He didn’t turn around, expecting Hannah to move beside him.
Instead, a rope slid around his neck.Stars glimmered in his consciousness, his lungs burning for air.Michael fought against the tight noose, throwing himself to the decking and knocking his assailant’s feet beneath him.
Tearing the rope away, he reached for the man, intending to find out what in God’s name was going on.
Chapter Eleven
Astrongwaveshooktheship, and Michael skidded backwards.His head struck one of the masts, and he grimaced at the impact.Salt water sprayed the deck while in the distance, he heard the crew shouting orders to one another.
When he scrambled to the place where he’d been attacked, there was nothing.Not a trace of the man, as though his assailant had been a phantom.Only the raw abrasions on his throat gave any evidence that he’d very nearly been strangled.
“Lieutenant Thorpe?”Lady Hannah called out to him.She hadn’t seen what had happened, from the questioning tone of her voice.
Michael didn’t turn, his attention fully upon the shadows.He didn’t want to endanger Hannah if his attacker returned.
