A weight lifted from her chest. “So, you forgive me?”
He frowned. “It’s not that simple.”
Josephine’s shoulders sagged as he pivoted to the door. “Oh.” The single syllable slipped out so quiet, she didn’t think he heard.
His hand tightened on the doorknob. “Tell me, what made you want to leave Tortuga so bad that you dressed as a boy and snuck on board?”
You.
Her fingers drifted up to play with the ribbon around her neck. She couldn’t very well tell him that. In retrospect, it hadn’t been a wise decision. Yes, she was here on a boat with him. But he was upset with her.
“You wouldn’t understand.”
He turned again and crossed his arms. “Try me.”
Her mouth had gone dry, but she forced the words out. “My whole life, I’ve wanted something…something different. I don’t even know what exactly, but I know whatever it is, it won’t happen on Tortuga.”
“But why my ship?”
Her hands clenched into the folds of her skirt. “You were kind to me. I felt like…like I could trust you.”
He stood silent, a muscle ticcing in his jaw, and she sighed.
“At the very least, it would be nice to see another part of the world before…” She trailed off, swallowing past the lump in her throat. “My father is trying to arrange a marriage with a wealthy merchant.”
A knowing look crossed his face. “That explains everything.”
She blinked. “It does?”
“You don’t want to face your future so you’ve run away.”
She bristled. “No. That’s not true at all. Well, mostly not.” If only he knew how much she’d taken her future into consideration before her decision. “I don’t even know him.”
“You realize that is how most reasonable people get married?”
Her nose pulled up. “He’s older than my father.”
“So?” He asked it so nonchalantly, she couldn’t answer for a moment.
“So?” She sucked in a breath, a burst of heat flushing through her veins. “So, shouldn’t I have a say in my future?
“Do not mistake my lack of agreement for not having sympathy.” He exhaled. “It’s hard to go against the way things have been done for so long. Maybe someday that will change, but doing what you did put yourself in danger and caused a lot of trouble. Did you at least leave a note for your father?”
She shook her head and he groaned. “He could very well accuse the United States of kidnapping a foreign national.”
His eyes locked on hers, and after a tense moment, she averted her gaze. “I’ll write him as soon as we get back.”
He shook his head. “It could take weeks for a ship to deliver your missive. The damage has been done and I will have to deal with the fallout.”
Her throat went tight. “I wouldn’t let anyone accuse you of such a thing.”
“And what if they didn’t believe you?” He didn’t give her an opportunity to answer, turning and opening the door. “You will stay here the rest of the voyage.”
Though she ached to follow, she stayed seated. She would follow his orders and show him what a reasonable woman she could be.
*
Josephine yawned andsat up. Sleeping the night before had proved fruitless. How was one supposed to lay in the very sheets the lieutenant had used, to breathe in his scent, and be able to relax? Hours of tossing and turning had finally given way to fitful dozing once the cabin shone pink with the sunrise. She groaned and stretched, pausing with her arms above her head.
