For now, she would continue to act friendly, and in Nash’s eyes, make him think she would ask Raúl questions about the location of Matthew. But inwardly, she would study the new Spaniard and see if perhaps he told the truth or lied.
She couldn’t tell with men anymore. She had been lied to most of her life, which resulted in her distrustful nature. Her father had not told the truth about her mother—the worst lie of all.
For several years after Maxey’s mother left her husband and children behind, Father led his children to believe their mother would return one day. Maxey waited day after day, week after week, until months turned into years. Each day, she got her hopes up that her mother would open the front door and announce that she was home for good. And as each sunset darkened the sky, Maxey’s heart shattered.
On her father’s deathbed, he finally confessed the truth. Her mother would not be returning, since she had married another man and started a new family. Her father even referred to Maxey’s mother as a harlot.
After that point, Maxey became distrustful of men, and although they seemed sincere on the outside, on the inside, they kept secrets.
Nash proved her theory. Just as she would prove his guilt.
“Maxey?”
Her name in Nash’s sensual voice jerked her out of her thoughts. “Yes?”
“You have been quiet this evening. Would you share with me what is on your mind?”
If he only knew.
“Not much. I’ve been thinking about asking my new friend, Raúl, to join us for our walk this evening.”
She dared take a peek at his expression. Head cocked, he arched a dark eyebrow at her.
“May I ask why? After all, he is a stranger to both of us.”
“Indeed. He is also a man who does a lot of traveling because of his business. I thought we could ask him about your uncle.”
Nash stopped against the railing and leaned his back against the long, sturdy piece of wood as he folded his arms over his broad chest. Still, he had yet to crack a smile. Clearly, her suggestion didn’t amuse him.
“And why would we do that?”
She shrugged. “Didn’t you tell me that your uncle is very powerful?”
“I did.”
“If he is so powerful, wouldn’t many people know about him?”
Nash nodded. “You forget one thing, Maxey: if people knew my uncle, they would be fearful of talking about him behind his back.”
She hadn’t realized it until now, but Nash didn’t refer to her as hissweet Maxeyany longer. She wished her chest didn’t ache from the loss of his endearment. “I don’t see why.”
“No, I suppose you do not. It is hard to know what my uncle would do to a person if they betrayed him unless you have seen it yourself.”
Maxey held her tongue. It seemed Nash didn’t want her to ask Raúl questions, and she couldn’t help but wonder if Nash was again lying to her. Perhaps she was on the right track after all. Talking to Raúl was a clever idea.
“Nash, we don’t have to come right out and tell Raúl everything. We can just say you’re related to Matthew, and you’re looking for him.”
“Sorry, but that will not work either.”
Silently, she growled. No,hedid not want it to work, which was why he kept discouraging her. The true story lay underneath all of this—the story she would eventually uncover. The sooner, the better.
“Regardless, Raúl has asked us to take supper with him tomorrow, so I think we should be hospitable and join him. Even if you don’t think it’s a good idea to ask him questions, I certainly do. After all, I’m trying to think like an investigator, and they generally follow their instincts. Right now, my instincts are telling me to ask Raúl about your uncle.”
Nash’s chest rose and fell with apparent difficulty. His jaw was hard, his lips pursed, and those hypnotic eyes glared at her. She wouldn’t allow him to frighten her. Raúl would be able to help them one way or another—she felt it.
“Besides, we’re on a ship, are we not? What could happen to us amongst all these passengers?” She gave a light chuckle and laid her hand on his arm still folded across his chest.
His gaze dropped to her fingers before jumping up to meet her eyes. Within seconds, a different emotion filled his eyes, making her heart beat a different rhythm. His brown stare softened considerably the longer he looked at her. Strange how quickly his moods changed.
