“Do keep it in mind.”
They asked him a few other mundane questions about his travels and Boston, and then the conversation turned to the Monroes’ two sons, who were absent from the family gathering. Nick was exhausted and longed for a bath and bed. He needed to get settled for the night and figured he’d splurge on a hotel rather than make do on theMary Elise.
“If you’ll excuse me, I should leave. I need to get some sleep.”
“Please stay with us,” Mrs. Monroe declared. “We’ve plenty of room and you are most welcome.”
“Yes, do,” James Monroe agreed. “I’ll ring for the servant to take your bag up. Would you like a hot bath?”
“Very much,” Nick replied. “Thank you for your generosity.”
A maid arrived, and James Monroe stood and directed her attention to Nick. “Take Mr. Clark’s things and put him in the far north room. Have my valet prepare him a hot bath and get one of the boys to build him a fire.”
“Yes, sir.”
Nick rose. “I guess I will see you all in the morning. I’m sure someone should probably wake me.” He grinned. “I’m so tired I think I could sleep for a week.”
Chapter 21
Nick awoke with a start. Something didn’t seem right. Although the curtains were still drawn, he sensed the presence of someone in the room. Pushing back the covers, he noticed someone bent over the fireplace. It was a decidedly female figure, and she was stirring up the embers and adding wood to the grate. No doubt a maid.
He didn’t want to startle her, but at the same time, he needed to acknowledge her presence. He cleared his throat. “Who’s there?”
“It’s Caroline—Elise’s sister.” She straightened, then moved toward the bed.
“What are you doing here?”
“Building up your fire.” She paused by the footboard and gave him a smile.
Nick pulled on his robe and got up. “Can’t a servant do that?”
“Listen to you. You sound like a wealthy man of means rather than a ship’s first mate.”
“What time is it?”
“Not even five thirty,” she replied.
He noted her open robe. “Well, thank you for the fire. You should go now.”
She smiled and came toward him. “Not until we have a little talk.”
Nick was very uneasy having her in his bedroom. “Why don’t you go back to your room, and we can talk later today?”
“But I want to talk now,” she said with a pout. “I might not have another chance to be alone with you.”
He was growing increasingly more uncomfortable. “I don’t think it’s proper for us to be alone, Caroline.”
“I like the way you say my name. In fact, I like you very much.” She sauntered around the corner of the bed and came to stand directly in front of him. Reaching up, she pushed back his hair. Nick flinched. “What’s wrong? Don’t you like me?”
Nick pushed her away and moved around her toward the door. “I am in love with your sister. I thought you knew that. You should go now.”
She went back to the hearth instead of following him to the door. “I know you’re in love with Elise ... or think you are. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be something to each other.”
“If I have my way, you’ll be my sister-in-law.” He opened the door. “Now, however, I’d like for you to go.”
“But since we’ll be in the same family ... it wouldn’t be difficult for us to be close to each other.”
“You don’t need my closeness, Caroline. You need the Lord. After all you’ve been through, God is the one you should draw close to.”
