The viscount’s smile returned. “That is good. And your conversation was pleasant?”
Pleasant? Not all of it had been enjoyable, but there were moments. I could still feel the ghost of her touch, the sensation of her in my arms. It had taken all my willpower to ignore the heady tension between us—to not abandon my resolve and kiss her.
I would not offer the viscount those details, though.
I tilted my head from side to side. “Mostly pleasant.”
“Mostly.” Lord Paxton chuckled. “Keep up that charm, and she will fall for you within the next sennight.”
My stomach plummeted. I wanted Annette to agree to marriage, but to fall in love with me? No. That would not serve my plans. Because if Annette ever showed me that sort of regard, I would be hard-pressed not to return it. Given my attraction and growing admiration of her spirit, falling in love with her would be far too easy.
And if there was one distraction I could not afford, it was to fall in love with my prospective wife.
Thesky,stillbathedin darkness, did nothing to bid my mind to sleep. This was not the first night I had struggled, and it would certainly not be the last. Each time I closed my eyes, I was transported back to theFreedom—no, not precisely to the ship itself, but back to the dark sea and hammering waves. I closed them anyway and let the memories sweep me away.
The slosh of the waves lapping against the ship filled my ears. Above, stars twinkled in the night sky, and despite the relatively warm water soaking my clothes and weighing me down, a shudder vibrated through me. Perhaps it was the knowledge that I would die in these waters and sink to a dark grave, alone and forgotten.
Or was it the knowledge that I would not be the last to suffer at Hollinsby’s hands? Those poor souls still aboard theFreedom, there against their will, would face a much harsher future. At least my death would come quickly. I would not spend years being abused and constrained. I would not become a prisoner to anything but the sea. Death was a kind of freedom that those chained in the ship’s hull longed for.
My muscles ached from my efforts to remain afloat. After being beaten and thrown overboard, it was all I could do to keep my head above water. Despite my impending doom, I could not convince my body to give up. I fought the waves, gagging on the salty water. It burned my lungs. Nausea swirled the contents of my stomach. Calling for help was a useless endeavor. No one would hear. Hollinsby had made certain of that. I was too great a threat. I had seen too much.
I’d swum alongside the ship for what felt like hours, desperately clinging to the hope I would be spotted. Cratchit, who stood at the helm, was too loyal to Hollinsby to rescue me, and the remainder of the crew were below deck, sleeping. I could only continue this for so long before my body gave out. Even now, the distance between myself and the ship increased.
My eyes fluttered closed, and I stopped kicking my legs. What use was it? I would drown eventually. Why not let the sea claim me on my terms?
A splash sounded to my right. My eyes flew open, and I glanced up. In the darkness, I could just make out a shadowed figure at the ship's rail, peering down at me. They gestured to the water, their movements frantic. There, not far from me, was a rope.
Instinct pressed me into motion. I swam toward the ship and seized the lifeline. Summoning all the energy I had left, I climbed. My arms lamented every inch, my lungs protested each inhale. The determination to live—to fight for those who could not fight for themselves—inspired me to continue despite the desire to give up.
Reaching the rail, hands gripped my water-laden clothes and yanked me over the edge. I collapsed onto the deck, breathing hard. My vision blurred as a woman hovered over me. Her dark hair, dark eyes, and dark skin were the last thing I saw before I drifted into oblivion.
Chapter fifteen
Annette
Edwardwasnotatbreakfast when I went downstairs and filled a plate from the sideboard, which did not surprise me. Now that I knew a little about the business he saw to each morning, I could not expect him. The concern etched in his expression when he mentioned his missing friend haunted my thoughts. Knowing it was a woman he sought intrigued me, though there was a niggle of something else as well.
Adda—that was what he’d said her name was. Who was this woman to Lieutenant Paget, and why had she been taken in the first place?
Edward had promised to explain everything today, but I still worried he would change his mind. He owed me nothing, really. Our relationship teetered between not-so-cordial acquaintances and friends. At present, I was not entirely sure which side we leaned toward. After giving him a tour, I’d done my best to avoid the man. His interest in my desire not to marry left me uncomfortable, as did the strange look I often noted in his eyes when our gazes met.
I had feared his inquisition meant something—signified an interest that was far from the friendship we’d tiptoed around. Perhaps what frightened me most was that I did not detest the idea as much as I should have.
My brows furrowed as I stared down at my plate. Surely, the lieutenant did not wish to pursue me? I had nearly convinced myself that my imagination had run wild until yesterday. Until he had looked at me with such fierce…desire? For a moment, I had thought he might attempt to kiss me.
Warmth spread through my cheeks at the notion, and I scowled. This would not do.
“I often glare at my breakfast as well.” Rus slumped into the chair next to me, and I startled. He reached across the table and poured himself a cup of hot coffee. “Oh, wait. It is not my breakfast I glare at first thing in the morning, but my horrible sister.”
His pointed look could only have implied he meant me.
“What has you in such a foul mood?” I asked.
“I could ask you the same, but in case you truly care to know, I am on number four.Four, Netty. I am quite tired of my room smelling of rot.”
I hummed, now fighting a smile. “I can imagine.”
He turned to face me more fully. “Are you going to tell me where you’ve hidden the other three or allow me to suffer?”
