Outside, the sun’s heat flooded through him. He jogged up the stairs to the quarterdeck where Silas stood at the helm. “Why are we slowing?”
Silas raised a brow. “I thought you might want to return our visitor to Tortuga.”
Isaac weighed his options. On one hand, they could return to the island and deposit Miss Montclair back where she belonged. On the other, such a trip would waste six days. Already short on time, the thought made him cringe. He was supposed to stay on the Georgia governor’s good side, and being tardy would not win him any favors. Yet, what did one do with the wayward daughter of a prominent Caribbean official?
His lips tugged up as the perfect solution presented itself. “No, we continue to Savannah. Make sure there’s an extra bunk for me, I’ll be quartering with you the rest of the journey.”
Although Silas hesitated, he did not argue. Instead, he nodded and descended to the deck, shouting orders to continue the course. Minutes later, the sails billowed taut in the wind and energy coursed through the deck as theTempestpicked up speed. Isaac fixed his gaze on the horizon, willing his mind to focus on anything other than the infuriating, yet undeniably beautiful, problem waiting for him in his cabin. He made a subtle adjustment to the wheel, aware that a single choice could change the course of an entire life. He had learned that lesson all too well over the past few months.
The spokes beneath his hands vibrated and his skin prickled. Something had already been set in motion, and now, only time would reveal the consequences.
Chapter Six
Josephine stared outthe window, an uncomfortable ache gnawing at her gut. With a sigh, she turned to Lola, whom had been brought along with her bag shortly after the lieutenant abruptly left earlier. Several hours had passed since he had slammed the door behind him and left her alone, but his anger still hung heavy in the air.
“What did I expect?” She stroked the parrot’s back. “Of course he’s upset.”
Upset might be an understatement. Her hands smoothed out the skirt she’d changed into as she bit her lip. She may have ruined all chances at… A bitter laugh broke free—all chances at what? Though she hadn’t counted on being discovered, she also hadn’t thought through how she would have explained her sudden appearance in Savannah to the lieutenant either. After his reaction today, she doubted he would have felt much differently discovering her ashore.
Still, he couldn’t stay mad forever. Perhaps this was better. By the time they got to Savannah, surely he would forgive her. Yes, best to get all misunderstandings out of the way. Turning, she approached his table and poured the rest of the water from a pitcher there into a mug she’d found on a shelf. One thing she hadn’t anticipated when deciding to sneak on board was how thirsty she’d become. Her hand stretched out to run over a nautical map and she smiled. The whole room was an insight into how the lieutenant spent his days.
Nothing amiss—which shouldn’t surprise her for a ship commander. Books on the shelf were organized by title, and the sheets on his bed had nary a crease in them. She had opened the wardrobe earlier tofind several uniforms hanging in a neat line. Now, she slid open the drawers of the desk, sorting through pages of navy orders, ledgers, and extra tubs of ink. The large white feather quill next to the map begged to be stroked and she did so, running her fingers along its luxurious length.
She took a deep breath and smiled. The woodsy scent he favored permeated the air, drowning out the briny smell of the sea and oiled floorboards. A knock interrupted her and she spun as the door opened. Lieutenant Caldwell stood framed by the setting sun, holding a plate.
“I brought you dinner.”
He didn’t move and several quiet seconds passed before Josephine realized he was waiting for permission to enter. She waved him in and leaned over the table, sliding the map and compass to the side. After a glance behind him, he stepped inside and brought the plate, setting it down in the space she’d cleared.
“Thank you.” Josephine’s mind went all jumbled as he looked around the room.
“I need to grab a few things.”
“Of course.”
He rolled up the map and placed the compass in his jacket pocket. She nibbled on her lip as he took one uniform from the wardrobe and collected a shaving blade from his washstand before walking back toward the door. If she couldn’t make small talk with him, it would be a wasted opportunity.
She cleared her throat. “Lieutenant Caldwell?”
He stopped at the threshold, but didn’t turn. “Yes?”
“Would you care to join me?”
“I already ate.”
Of course. She swallowed. “I…I’d like to properly apologize for earlier.”
That got him to turn, but his eyes had narrowed. “And how does one properly apologize for what you did?”
She winced, but stood with shoulders straight. “I didn’t think things through when I decided to…stowaway.”
It sounded so much worse to say the word out loud.
His expression didn’t change. “So you’ve said.”
“I made the decision in haste and overlooked all of the risks I would be taking as well as how it would affect you if things didn’t go as planned. I’m truly sorry.”
He stood silent, his eyes searching hers before lowering his head in a subtle nod. “Thank you. I believe an apology is in order from my end as well. I should not have been so harsh with you.”
