‘What will the name of that ship be?’
She didn’t sound breathless anymore, nor was there any sound of rustling skirts. ‘I don’t have any idea,’ he replied, fighting the desire to open one eye for a peek her way. ‘I’ll have to wait until I see her.’
‘When will that be?’
‘As soon as they are done building her.’ He forced himself to think about making a trip to Bristol as soon as possible to check on the ship’s progress, instead of…anything else. He wouldn’t even be able to do that until his new partnership was securely in place.
‘You may open your eyes now.’
He did so and blinked several times as his pupils adjusted to the light again. Now sitting directly across from him, Meridith held out the knife. Drake took it and noticed what looked like a good-sized pillow, rolled-up and sitting on the bench beside her. ‘That was under your dress? No wonder you couldn’t sit back. It’s as big as the seat is wide.’
‘I know! That’s why I was hanging on to the edge, and I can’t begin to tell you how much more comfortable it is to sit without it.’
‘I can imagine.’ He stuck the knife back in his boot.
‘Thank you very much for the knife and the suggestion. I daresay I’ll be able to walk now.’
‘That’s what was making you take such small steps?’
‘Yes. The bustle made the dress tight around the hips. It truly was confining.’
‘Why do women torture themselves like that?’ he asked, genuinely perplexed.
‘I have no idea,’ she said. ‘Fashion is what they claim, but what’s the use of being fashionable when you can’t walk or breathe or sit?’
‘You tell me,’ he said.
‘I would if I knew,’ she replied.
The seriousness of her expression was so genuine, he couldn’t stop himself from letting out a chuckle. At first her giggle was muffled, but soon they were both laughing. A solid, genuine laugh, one that left them both sighing as it ended.
‘I daresay, Meridith,’ Drake said, still smiling, ‘you are truly a unique young woman.’
‘As much as I’d like to, I can’t confirm that to be true,’ she said. ‘But thank you for saying it and thank you for agreeing to escort me tonight. It’s already been more enjoyable than I’d imagined it would be.’
‘You are most welcome, and I agree, it has already been more enjoyable than I’d imagined, too.’ He stood up and lifted the top of his bench seat. ‘Hand me the evidence. We’ll hide it in here.’
Giggling again, she handed him the bustle, and he shoved it in the storage box, then lowered the lid and sat back down. ‘I’ll see that it’s returned to you, discreetly, of course.’
Chapter Four
Leaning back against the padded leather of the coach seat, feeling far more comfortable and happier, Meridith stared at the man across from her. The one who might have been thrust upon her by her family at the garden party, but had easily thwarted their plans by informing Peter that he’d be leaving again soon. Going back out to sea. Yes, that made her happy, as happy as cutting off the irritating bustle had.
Doing that had given her a hint of freedom, and that was something she hadn’t felt in a very long time.
‘I’d much rather that you burned it,’ she said. ‘I don’t ever want to see it again.’
‘Consider it done,’ Drake replied.
She imagined that most girls who had attended Miss Ada’s Finishing School for Young Ladies would be utterly embarrassed by what she’d just said and done. Well, there had been a few who wouldn’t have been embarrassed, but they hadn’t been embarrassed about anything, not even sneaking out at night and getting caught. They hadn’t learned a lesson from doing such things, either. Unless one would consider being sent home a lesson. Most of those who had faced that consequence had said goodbye to those who remained behind and good riddance to the rules of the school with smiles on their faces.
In this instance, Meridith was saying goodbye and good riddance to that bustle and would never think about it again. There would be no need; while there were others in her wardrobe, after tonight, she wouldn’t be wearing one again. The relentless fear of slipping off the seat and landing on the floor at Drake’s feet wasnotsomething she wanted to experience again. Nor was the dreadful process of lifting up her skirt, cutting off the belt tied around her waist, then manoeuvring the thick bustle out from beneath all those layers of fabric, all the while keeping an eye on Drake to make sure he didn’t peek.
He’d been perfectly true to his word about that; he hadn’t lifted an eyelid the entire time. Nevertheless, if either of her sisters ever learned about the incident, they’d still find it scandalous—and much of society could very well agree.
Fortunately, she believed Drake when he said he wouldn’t tell a soul.
He was trustworthy, she was sure of that. Mr Andrews certainly felt that way. The zookeeper had sung Captain Taylor’s praises this morning. The thought reminded her of Drake’s previous words. ‘Were you really at the zoo today?’ she asked.
