“You weren’t asleep. Yourcandle was lit.”
“Maybe I like a candleburning while I sleep. Maybe I’m frightened of thedark.”
She giggled nervously. “I don’tbelieve that Harry. Now listen while I tell you about theletter.”
He folded his arms. “Whatletter?”
“Please justlisten.”
Erina explained about Cathleen’spredicament. How after her mother died, her father had begun togamble and drink heavily. And how the neighbor had taken advantageof him. When they had lost everything, her father shot himself.This neighbor, who now claimed to own their property, insisted shemarry him or be cast out into the street.
Harry said nothing.
“So, will you still agreeto take me?” she asked, a plea in her voice.
“That’s a very sad story. Iam deeply sorry for Cathleen, but I fail to see how you, arrivingat their home unescorted and with little money can be of help toher.”
“We won’t stay there aboveone night. I’ll just fetch her and bring her home. I’ve broughtsome jewelry with me. I’ll sell it to a pawnbroker in Dublin to payfor our fare.”
“Erina…” He paused. “Whathappens when you arrive home with Cathleen? Just supposing you domake it home safely. Will all be forgiven? Do you intend to spendyour days caring for your disgruntled father with Cathleen as yourcompanion?”
She shook her head, eased off herslippers and tucked her bare feet beneath her dressing gown. “Noone will know. Our parents won’t put it about. My cousin willattend balls and dances with me.”
“And fall in love and livehappily ever after?”
“You are making fun of me.I’m certain I can do this.”
He leaned forward, took her hand, andsqueezed it. “If our parents hadn’t forced this engagement on us,would you have attempted this?”
“I would have tried.” Shefrowned. “I have to try. Cathleen is my mother’s niece. Mama wouldexpect me to do something. But my father disliked my mother’sfamily. He believes the Irish are beneath us.” She brightened.“What about Captain Ryder? Doesn’t he intend to go to Ireland whenhe leaves here? He would be a strong and capable escort, and thenyou needn’t worry about me.”
Harry pushed himself off the sofa.“Jack has his own concerns. Go to bed Erina, I will takeyou.”
Did he mean just to the ferry? Shewould deal with that later. Erina jumped up. “Thank you,Harry.”
“Don’t mention it. Nowshall we get some sleep? We’re going to need it.”
“Yes. We must make an earlystart. Let’s breakfast at seven o’clock.” She opened the door andpeered into the shadowy corridor, the candles guttering. No oneabout. She turned to say goodnight and bumped into Harry who wasright behind her.
His hands on her shoulders, Harrypulled her toward him. He pressed his mouth on hers in a firm kiss.For a moment, her head spun, and she placed a hand on his arm tosteady herself.
“Think about that.” He gaveher a gentle push into the corridor and shut the door.
Erina stood staring at the closed doorwith a hand to her mouth. Her heart was pounding. Harry had kissedher! She turned and hurried to her room.
Safely back in her bed, Erinaconsidered what had just happened. She trusted Harry. In a way, hewas like the brother she’d never had. But that kiss! What was sheto make of it? Did he think her forward? No, he knew better thanthat. Could it be that he wanted to marry her after all? He’d neverflirted or given her reason to suspect it.
Until the kiss. Which wasn’t exactlyflirtatious? The kiss was more like a… a declaration. She should beannoyed. Very annoyed.
Was he trying to make her change hermind and go home? She turned over onto her side. And then onto herback. She touched her lips where the imprint of his seemed toremain. As they continued to Holyhead, she must explain to him thatthere never could be anything like that between them. She huffedand bashed her pillow, a strange heavy feeling in her chest,because she hated to hurt him.
Erina groaned. Everything was at sixesand sevens. Tomorrow at breakfast, she wasn’t at all sure how sheshould address him. Would he treat her differently now?
Chapter Nine
Early the next morning, Jack, inriding clothes, entered the breakfast room where Harry tucked intoa plate piled with eggs, bacon, sausage and kidneys, while Erinaate buttered toast.
“Good morning.” Erinasmiled. “Good weather for our journey, Captain Ryder.”
