If the first mate thought the order odd, he didn’t betray it. “Yes, Cap’n.” He nodded before hurrying off to inform Martin.
“Perfect,” Danielle said. “Now the entire ship will be talking about me.”
“Make no mistake, they already were.”
“And you think this makes it better?”
“I think it makes you safer.”
“I already told you, I—”
“Can take care of yourself. I’ve heard that before, along with something about my being a stubborn ass. Regardless, my decision is final.”
She wanted to kick him, hit him, throw something at his big, overly confident head.
He slowly, deliberately crossed over to the door, shut it, and made his way back to the table that stood between them. “Tell me, Cross,” he drawled. “Do you know anything about being a cabin boy?”
“Oh, onlyeverything.”
A roguish grin spread across his face. “Excellent. That means we can spend our time on things other than your lessons.”
She raised a brow. Her stomach lurched. “Other things?”
“Yes.”
“Such as?”
He leaned over, braced both hands on the table, and arched a brow. “I believe the last time we saw each other, you said it was a pity we hadn’t spent the night together.” He grinned, his eyes gleaming wickedly. “I’m willing to rectify that mistake, if you are.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Cade pulled the cabin door closed behind him and stood in the corridor outside. He scrubbed a hand through his hair and paced back and forth in the small space. What in the name of God was going on? He didn’t work for anyone, let alone Mark Grimaldi. It was true that the general and he had worked together in the past, but that was because they had a shared goal and it suited both men’s purposes. Cade’s preoccupation with Baptiste wasn’t something the law-abiding Grimaldi would approve of. But Grimaldi was after Baptiste, too, if Danielle was to be believed. Her story was outlandish enough to be true. But why the hell had she been spying onhim?
Damn. He already knew the answer. Grimaldi didn’t trust him. He should have guessed. It all made sense. No doubt Daphne’s former lady’s maid had been well paid to leave town.
There was nothing left to do. Until they put into port—and according to O’Conner’s information they wouldn’t do that until they reached the coast of Spain—Cade had to keep an eye on Danielle. He must wait to get the answers he needed from Grimaldi. That bastard better have some damn good ones.
***
Danielle spent the time since Cade had left the cabin poking around through his belongings. It served to distract her from what he’d said.Mon dieu. The man knew how to say the most provocative things. Spend the night together? Here on this ship? After…? After what? What in thenom de dieuwas happening here? She paced back and forth in front of the massive bed, trying to ignore the tingles Cade’s offer sparked in her belly.
She’d known all along that Baptiste had been the ultimate goal. But what did Cade have to do with it?
What exactly was Grimaldi up to? Why had he sent her to watch Cade to begin with? He had to have known they would recognize each other immediately on this ship. Why wouldn’t he have told her? What sort of sick, twisted game was all of this?
She knew from her training, the weeks she’d spent studying, running, lifting heavy objects, learning to fight, throwing knives, rowing oars, remaining silent, hiding, waiting, listening, watching. She’d been trained by the best. Mark Grimaldi. The first week of spy training he’d informed her over and over until the words blurred in her head. The mission always came first.
Maudit. She’d been put on this ship with Cade for some reason. Apparently they were meant to work together. But could she trust him? He certainly wouldn’t trusthernow. Not after she’d lied to him. But they each had a mission to complete. They might be on this ship together for weeks. She refused to be cowed by him. Now that he’d deprived her of her duties as cook’s assistant, she’d be damned if she’d run around catering to his every whim.
She inspected the glorious cabin. Cade’s shaving utensils were lined up perfectly in the cabinet by the washbasin. His shirts were folded perfectly in the wardrobe. The man didn’t need a valet; why in heaven’s name did he need a cabin boy? She wrenched open the desk drawer. It held a sextant, a small spyglass, some paperwork, and… a map.
She unfurled it, studied it, but she already knew what it contained. She’d already discussed it with Grimaldi. It was a map of their destination. St. Helena.
She found an assortment of books on a shelf on a far wall, a collection of philosophy, history, science, and nautical topics. She hadn’t figured Cade for a scholar. If he’d read even a quarter of the books here, he’d be considered well-read, surprising for someone who’d been raised in Seven Dials.
She, too, had always tried to educate herself by reading, but there were several volumes here she hadn’t read before. Shucking her boots and stockings, she plucked a copy ofThe Life and Death of Cardinal Wolseyoff the shelf and padded over to the giant bed. She slid onto the jade-colored satin sheets and luxuriated in the feel of them beneath her feet. The mattress was soft and fluffy, filled with down. She glanced over.
One pillow didn’t match the others. It was covered in white linen as opposed to green satin. There was something familiar about it. She crawled across the sprawling bed and pulled the pillow into her lap. It looked much like the one she’d used at Lady Daphne’s house. She put it to her nose and sniffed.Her orchid perfume.
