Earlier, he’d gone back to the upper deck where they had rescued Mrs.Turner.Seeing the narrow ratlines in the morning sunlight made his breath catch.If either of them had fallen overboard, they might have become trapped beneath the large paddle wheel.
He never should have let Hannah climb up.It would have been so easy for her to be harmed or killed.The failure would have fallen upon his shoulders, just as he’d failed his fellow soldiers at Balaclava.
He returned to the promenade deck but saw no sign of Mrs.Turner or Lady Hannah.He wasn’t about to knock on her state room door, for he’d already broken enough rules of propriety.It was better for him to keep his distance and hope that he met her by chance.
After exploring the many rooms of the ship, he found them in the Grand Saloon.Hannah wore a long-sleeved, flounced rose gown adorned with lace.The trim was sewn across her bodice down to a narrow vee at the waist.A matching bonnet with ribbons and more lace cradled her face.Were it not for the dull exhaustion in her eyes, no one would notice anything out of order.Her gaze went to his neck, but he’d hidden the abraded skin with a high cravat.
Beside her sat Mrs.Turner, wearing her black mourning gown.The elderly woman beamed, calling out, “Michael!You will join us, won’t you?”In her hands, she held out a deck of cards.“I am teaching Lady Hannah to play piquet.”
He wasn’t certain that was such a good idea.“I thought ladies weren’t supposed to play cards.”
Mrs.Turner pulled out a chair.“Oh, we’re not going to be ladies today, are we?”
It was then that he saw the enormous slice of chocolate cake on the plate beside Hannah.She took a bite of the dessert, as if defying the etiquette for proper breakfast food.Watching her devour the cake reminded him of the expression on her face last night when he’d showed her the pleasures of her secret flesh.
He hastily took a seat to hide his reaction to the memory.
Mrs.Turner dealt out the cards to each of them.“I know you’ve played before.”
He let his gaze rest upon Hannah’s face while she ate her cake.“Yes.”
“Then you’ll be able to teach Lady Hannah all that she needs to know.”
He made no response, watching as Hannah’s tongue slipped out to lick her fingertip.There were many things he wanted to teach Lady Hannah, and not a single one of them had to do with cards.
Hannah picked up the hand dealt, a sheepish smile upon her face.“I’m not very good with cards.I was never allowed to play.”
He picked up his own cards, barely glancing at them.“Why not?”
“My mother believed that any cards were a form of gambling.She didn’t want me to risk eternal hellfire.”
“There are far worse ways to sin,” he pointed out.
Hannah’s face turned scarlet, as though she were thinking of the time she’d spent in his arms.She forced her attention back to the cards.
“Which of us will be the dealer?”Michael asked Mrs.Turner.
“Why don’t you take on that role?Let Lady Hannah draw first.”
Michael deferred to the widow’s wishes and dealt the cards.He picked up his hand, studying the two jacks and the queen of spades amid the other numbered cards.“Were you wanting to wager on the game?”
Mrs.Turner beamed.“Well, of course we should have a wager.That’s what makes playing cards so entertaining.And wicked.”
“There’s nothing wrong with a bit of wickedness...once in a while.”Michael shifted his cards, laying them facedown on the table while he waited for Hannah.
When she glanced up, her gaze settled upon his mouth.He spied the traces of chocolate upon her lips.Right now he wanted to lick it off, devouring her mouth and pulling her close.
“What should we wager with?”Hannah asked, a faint blush of color upon her cheeks.“Money we don’t have?”
He knew she was referring to the fictional thousand pounds he’d offered in return for her handkerchief last night.“Not for money.”
“What, then?”
A flash of inspiration struck him, and Michael signaled to one of the ships’ waiters.After a brief discussion, the waiter nodded, disappearing behind closed doors.
“Wait and see.”
When the waiter returned, he held a tray of miniature pastries, caramels, and confections.
