Page 14 of The Lyon’s Lass

Madalene’s head jerked toward him. “Our room?” She all but choked out.

“Aye. While I’ll not be forcing you to perform wifely favors, I don’t want the crew to think my wife has refused me. Everything on a ship comes down to the hierarchy of respect. A captain who can’t keep his wife in line might not be suitable to seeing to a ship. You understand?”

“I didn’t realize I wielded so much power, but yes. Of course, I understand.”

He chuckled at her jest.

“It was not so long ago it would have been a challenge to find a crew to sail with a woman onboard. Sailors are a superstitious lot.”

“I’ve heard as much about Scots.” She lifted a brow and he smiled. He liked the lass’s mettle. It would serve her well in the Highlands.

“Come, I’ll show you your brother’s room.” But instead of moving in front of him, she stopped and rested her hand on his arm. He looked down wondering why that touch, through her gloves and two layers of fabric seemed to sizzle his flesh like a painless brand.

While he worked to hide his surprise, she spoke.

“I wish to thank you for honoring your promise to bring my brother along. Nelson planned to send Jack to an asylum when I married, and I failed at finding a husband who would accept Jack into his household.”

“That’s more a failure on the proper gentleman of the ton, than on your part, Madalene.” He found her honorable to see to her brother’s safety even if it turned out to be a detriment to her future. Without the condition of her brother’s care, he imagined she would have easily found marriage, perhaps even a love match. Somewhere out there a selfish man didn’t even realize what he’d lost.

“You can call me Maisy. Everyone does.” Her cheeks turned that slight pink that spoke to her discomfort on a topic. He wondered why a nickname would embarrass her.

He’d heard that name used by her friend the night she was ill at the ball. But he’d not known it to be an abbreviated version of Madalene.

“Maisy?” he questioned.

“My older brother was four when I was born. He often called me messy, but it came out sounding like Maisy and it stuck.”

It suited her, but he didn’t like that it had been given to her by the rotter of a lord Iain had met.

“If you don’t mind my saying, your older brother is a right arse.”

She laughed, the sound filling the room and somehow making it lighter.

“I don’t mind you saying that at all. I agree.” She frowned. “He wasn’t always as unkind as he is now. I fear my father hurt him and he lashes out because of it.”

“Aye. A beaten animal will often bite anyone near. Friend or foe. Still, he should know better as a man grown.”

“It wasn’t meant to be an excuse, just an explanation.”

Iain didn’t think he’d ever thought of the distinction of the two, but he understood.

The ship lurched and Maisy squealed in surprise, her hand flying out to steady herself. Since he was the closest thing, she gripped his arm to steady her legs. The sizzle returned and he found he liked the feeling of her small hand on his body more than he should.

Christ, how long had it been since he’d taken a woman to his bed? He couldn’t remember. The women he met in ports all just blended together. Physical and nothing more. He couldn’t help but wonder if being with this woman would be different.

But he’d not have her act as his wife out of obligation or gratitude that he’d allowed her to bring her brother with them. No, if he were to have his wife in his bed, it would be only because she desired him.

He almost laughed at the thought. They’d be on the ship for only four days. Not near enough time for her to warm to him that much.

“We’re making to leave port. Would you like to go out and watch as the sails are hoisted?”

She nodded with excitement in her whisky-colored eyes. Whether she really wanted to see the ship move out to sea, or she just wanted watchful eyes on her brother, he wasn’t sure, but she eagerly left the room to go out on the deck.

Jack and the maid were at the rail waving. No matter how many ships came and left a port, there was always someone standing on the pier to wave. It was just the nature of things, like the sky being blue and the sea being salty.

Jack moved his hands and Maisy laughed.

“What did he say?” Iain asked, curious about the language between them.