“Goodness, Penny,” Cassandra exclaimed. “That really isn’t the sort of question a young lady ought to be asking.”
Devlin couldn’t quite hide his smile when Penelope rolled her eyes and sighed in response to her mother’s censure. He was immensely fond of the girl and looked forward to playing a larger role in her life. “Thankfully, I cannot claim to have met or killed one.”
What he refrained from mentioning was the time pirates attacked his ship, but his gunners were a talented bunch who’d sunk the other vessel before a single crewmember managed to board. He gave Monty and Bronswick the sort of look he knew would keep them silent. No sense in worrying Cass or Penny without good reason. “But that doesn’t mean it isn’t wise to keep an eye out.”
“If you will excuse us, gentlemen,” Cassandra said when the conversation trickled to a halt. “Penny and I should probably retire for the night so we can get some rest.” She rose to her feet and gestured for Penelope to do the same. Devlin and his friends followed suit. “It has been a pleasure.”
“The pleasure has been entirely ours,” Monty said.
“I’ll be along shortly,” Devlin assured her, in response to which Cass turned such a bright shade of red, Devlin’s temperament instantly shifted toward a more positive one.
With a nod, she turned away and made her exit. He stared at the closed door for a second before resuming his seat and turning his attention back to his friends. Both were smiling like a pair of idiots.
“What?” Devlin asked.
“You’re a lucky man,” Monty said. “I know I told you so at your wedding, but now that I’ve spent more time with your wife, I can understand your reluctance to leave her behind.”
“You’ll be the envy of every man on this ship, Crawford.” Bronswick grabbed three glasses and poured them each a measure of brandy. “Having a woman like that to keep you warm at night is a bloody luxury.”
“God help us,” Monty muttered. “My cabin’s right next to yours, so I do hope you’ll keep the noise down.”
“You needn’t worry,” Devlin said. He tossed back his drink and gestured for Bronswick to pour him another. “We’ll be completely silent.”
Both men burst out laughing. “I’ve always loved your dry humor, Dev, but this… Oh Christ,” Monty said as he wiped his eyes with the palm of his hand.
“I’m so glad I’m able to amuse you,” Devlin said. “Now if you’re finished, perhaps we can take a quick look at the charts? With Cass and Penny on board, I’d like to avoid some of the rougher waters we’ve sailed through before.”
“Does that mean you no longer plan to cross the Indian Ocean?” Bronswick asked.
“It’ll double the length of our voyage if we don’t,” Monty said. “Reaching Australia will take forever.”
“I’m not deciding anything yet, just trying to figure out what our options are.”
“Well, we probably won’t know in advance. Storms can come out of nowhere and they can even occur in the most unexpected places. Although, if we follow the coast of Africa back up toward India, it shouldn’t delay us by more than a month. I shouldn’t think.”
“And a half,” Monty said. He went to collect the relevant charts and began spreading them out on the table. “You know, it’s not too late to leave them here where you know they’ll be safe.”
As if Devlin hadn’t considered the option a thousand times already. But his relationship with Cass could only improve if they were together. Apart, she’d never make room for him in her heart. And besides, sailing wasn’t so dangerous. He’d been doing it half his life and just wanted to make the experience as pleasant for her as possible. Although…
Oh dear God, what if she couldn’t swim?
“Of course I can swim,” Cassandra told him when he returned to his quarters and asked about her aquatic abilities. She’d selected the bed on the right and was sitting half propped up against a pillow. A book rested in her lap, but what got Devlin’s blood rushing was the fact that she appeared to be wearing the same damn nightgown she’d worn at Mivart’s. Or at least one like it. Which meant the moment she got out of bed or the covers slipped slightly lower, he’d be doomed to another restless night.
“What about Penelope?” he asked, deliberately wrestling his brain back to the subject of conversation.
“She can swim as well, but...” She gasped and sat up straight, which caused the blanket, which had thus far been protecting her modesty, to slide down to her waist and in so doing, revealthe most perfect outline of well-rounded breasts he’d ever seen.
His fingers moved, involuntarily gauging the shape and fullness and how they would fit in the palms of his hands. His mouth had gone dry three seconds ago, and his throat felt like sandpaper.
Still, by some miracle, he managed to ask, “But what?”
Cassandra stared at him. She tilted her head to one side and frowned. “Is something the matter?”
“No.” He shook his head and went to sit on the edge of his bed. “Why do you ask?”
“You look slightly ill all of a sudden.”
“I feel fine.” He yanked on his boot, taking his frustration out on the fine leather. Once it was off, he dropped it onto the floor and started on the other. “What were you going to say before? When you gasped?” He dared a hesitant glance in her direction and was relieved to see she’d pulled the blanket back up.
