With an arched brow, he cocked his head. “I do not think so, my sweet.”
“Who is going to be… Um, what about…my chaperone?”
A grin sneaked across his handsome face as he sat on the edge of the bed. “My dear Maxey. Have you changed into a chameleon now? Why are you so proper when last night at the soirée you were—”
Her face burned again, and she held up a hand. “Nash, must you insist on bringing that up? You know my reasons.”
“Then what are your reasons now?”
“Last night, I was with Sally. This time I’ll be alone with you in public. It’s not proper.”
He reached across her lap and softly took her hand. “So you think we should have some kind of cover?”
She nodded. “It’s my reputation that is at stake, after all.”
“Perhaps we should travel as a married couple.”
“That’s utterly ridiculous.” She yanked her hand away. “We willnotbecome that close. Besides, I’m only going to act as your partner. After all, are we not sailing to find your brother’s killer?”
“Indeed we are.”
“Then pretending we are married is out of the question.”
“You want us to act more like partners, then?”
“Precisely.”
He scratched his chin. “I fear that will not work, so what would you say to acting like my distant niece?”
She tried not to grin, but the corners of her mouth twitched upward regardless. “I think people could see we are not.”
“I will say you are my relative on my mother’s side.”
She shrugged. “That might work, I suppose.”
He slapped his knees and stood. “Very well, niece Maxey. Hurry and dress, because the hour is slipping away. The sooner we climb aboard that vessel, the better for both of us.”
Her hopes sank. Could she act accordingly? She didn’t understand how her body melted every time he touched her. And heaven forbid they shared another kiss.That, she would not let him do again.
Chapter Eight
Maxey stood bythe ship’s railing, inhaling the salt air in hopes of calming her shifting stomach. She had warned Nash about her fear of sailing, but he’d insisted she go with him nonetheless.
Another wave of nausea tackled her belly, and she gnashed her teeth. He would just have to get used to her illness and the unruly temper that accompanied it.
Beside her, Nash’s alert eyes kept watching the semi-crowded deck for anyone who seemed suspicious, something he’d been doing since they set sail yesterday. His cautious nature kept him attentive, and because of his disguise, he mingled with the crowd and didn’t stand out. Maxey thought he looked more handsome now than when she first saw him on stage.
Since first boarding, Nash had dressed more like a farmer’s son. His sideburns seemed slightly longer, and he’d reshaped the goatee around his tempting mouth. Couldthisbe his true identity and not the opera singer? Just maybe his story was correct. She couldn’t decide. She blamed her clouded judgment on her interest in him.
When another bout of seasickness hit her, she leaned against the railing and breathed deeply. She prayed she didn’t humiliate herself in public again, as she had during those first few hours on the ship. Her head pounded from trying to restrain her stomach, but she welcomed the distraction.
Nash’s hand grazed her arm, but she refused to meet his eyes.
“Maxey? Are you all right?”
“I will be in a moment,” she mumbled between clenched teeth.
“Do you wish to return to the room?”
