She shook her head. “The fresh air is helping.”
“But you have been like this since we first sailed. Have you kept any food down at all?”
“A small amount.” She breathed deeply, and the turbulent rolling in her stomach subsided. “It’s this wind, stirring the waves and causing the ship to rock.” She placed her cool hands on her face. “I’ll be better in a moment.”
He swept his fingers across a lock of her loosely bound hair. “I worry about you. I am not pleased with your pale coloring.”
Meeting his stare, she shrugged. “The sea and I do not get along well.”
“May I ask why you don’t like to sail?”
“Being in the water has scared me since I was young. I don’t like the unsettled feeling of walking on moving ground. I especially don’t like the idea of falling overboard and plunging into the icy waters and sinking to my death.”
He chuckled. “You will not fall overboard. I will not allow it.”
“Perhaps you should have left me back with Sally.”
“You know I could not. Keeping you by my side is the only way I can protect you.”
“So you keep telling me,” she mumbled.
He leaned on the rail, his attention on the lightly rolling sea. “I am beginning to think your bout with seasickness is purely for my benefit. More and more, you are proving how much you dislike my company.”
She poked his shoulder. “I told you how I felt about sailing before we ever set foot aboard this ship.” Folding her arms, she took a deep breath. “And I have never told you I dislike your company. Just because I don’t choose to fall for your charm doesn’t mean you won’t make an entertaining traveling partner.”
He snapped his head toward her. “You think I am constantly trying to bed you?”
She arched a brow. “You cannot lie to me, Nash. I read you well.”
“Maxey.” He shook his head and sighed deeply. “I am taking you with me for your own protection. I am aware this trip is not solely for pleasure.”
She compelled a laugh. “I shall believe that when I see it.”
Anger marred his forehead with deep lines. “Believe me when I say the only reason I brought you along is to keep you away from my uncle. If he ever got his hands on you…”
She turned her back to him. Keeping up this farce of believing him gnawed on her nerves. Then again, in the back of her mind, a niggling doubt squeezed through, and she wondered if he was truly innocent. If only he would show her some proof. All this confusion gave her a headache. With a deep breath, she realized the sooner they arrived in Devonshire, the better.
Nash pulled away from the rail and moved in front of her. “Maxey, we need to learn to trust each other. This trip will become very long if we cannot.”
Silently, she scolded herself for not turning out a better performance. No matter what, he couldn’t see the doubt in her eyes.
She patted his hand. “Of course I trust you, Nash. I wouldn’t have come with you otherwise.”
“Even if I practically kidnapped you?”
She forced another laugh. “I’m quite certain you didn’t. I would have been able to get away from you sooner or later if I really wanted.”
“I still worry about you.” He touched her cheek.
“I shall be fine, just as soon as I am used to the turbulent waves. Until that time, I will be extremely moody.” She flipped her hand through the air in a dismissive wave. “Please, Nash. If you don’t mind, I wish to be alone right now.”
“I wish you were not like this. Trying to talk to you is almost impossible.”
“I know. It’s the seasickness.”
“Then I will seek out some real company. I hope you find something to entertain yourself for the days ahead.” Grumbling, he turned and left her side.
Her heart dropped with each step he took away from her. Why didn’t he understand? Her seasickness had nothing to do with him. Did all men think about themselves and no other? Apparently.
