Lieutenant Caldwell opened his mouth, but Mr. Thompson winked again and strode away, leaving the two of them alone. He shook his head and turned to her once more. “What do you say, Miss Montclair? Shall we?”
Josephine stared at his outstretched hand and her throat went dry. She glanced out at the busy dance floor, her breaths coming shallow. Could she manage in such tight quarters?
“Unless, of course you would rather not?” He looked somewhat hopeful.
She should let him go. Clearly, he didn’t want to. But the thought of sharing even one dance with him had her heart soaring. Never mind if she wouldn’t see him again. In fact, that made it better. She could fully enjoy herself without wondering what would come next.
With a determined swallow, she set her hand in his. “I would like that.”
His fingers flexed around hers as he nodded. “Very well.” He guidedthem out onto the floor.
Abigail had been right. Even if she hadn’t known this dance, Lieutenant Caldwell expertly guided her through each step. She fought the urge to close her eyes and lose herself to the magic of it all, instead focusing on each twist and turn, the way the light sparkled from his eyes, and the delightful thrill that shot up her arm each time he took her hand in his. Her lips curved.
When she glanced up at the lieutenant, his face had softened and he wore an amused smile. “You’re enjoying yourself.”
“I’m starting to feel as though I’ve been cheated in life growing up on Tortuga. How amazing it must be to go to these kinds of parties and dance whenever you’d like.”
His lips pressed together briefly. “Truth be told, I try very hard not to come to these events.”
Her eyes widened. “You have no idea how lucky you are to have…” She glanced around them. “Allthisat your fingertips.”
“It grows old.” They turned and his hand shifted at her waist, sending a shiver up her side. “After a while, they all feel the same.”
She lifted her chin. “I don’t think the magic would ever fade for me.”
“It’s easy to say that at your first party.” His smile had returned. “I wrote your father today. Luckily, there was a merchant making a run to Jamaica that I was able to convince to make a stop on Tortuga.”
Josephine’s heart fell and she missed a step. “I wish you wouldn’t have.”
He raised a brow. “What would you have had me do? It is my responsibility to make sure you get home safely.”
“I would have been happy to stay until you return.”
His lips tightened as she followed his lead, her skirts swaying with each measured movement. When he reached for her waist again, his touch light but firm, his voice lowered. “And what if I don’t return?”
The cloud she’d been floating on evaporated as she stared up athim. “Why would you say such a thing?”
They moved in perfect time, the rhythm of their steps as deliberate as his words. “It’s the truth, and you of all people should know it. Didn’t you warn me once before how dangerous Thorne is? Do you think that’s changed?”
She blinked as a stab of coldness slid through her. “You will be careful, won’t you?”
His eyes pressed shut. “I’m sorry. It was not appropriate for me to speak like that. Of course I will be.”
Josephine forced a smile. “No need to apologize. I’ve heard much worse in my days.”
The song ended and the lieutenant guided them off the floor. He squeezed her hands and bowed.
She took a deep breath. “I suppose this is goodbye then, isn’t it?”
He peered down at her, the seas in his eyes a swirling maelstrom. “Yes.”
“It feels a bit redundant to say, but I wish you good luck in your hunt for Thorne.”
His lips twitched. “Thank you.”
“I’m glad to have met you, Lieutenant.”
This time, he did smile. “And I, you. Even if you did cause a lot of trouble.”
