Page 28 of Much Ado about a Widow

“I thought I was rescuing you, my lady.” He couldn’t suppress a grin. The woman was charmingly diverting.

“That may be your version of the events. However, I have a different perspective.” She sniffed the bowl of soup and made a face. “I asked you to take me to Blackham Castle, but instead you are taking me to Cornwall when I do not wish to go there.” She raised her chin triumphantly. “I believe that may be the very definition of kidnapping.”

Rob nodded to the bowl. “The broth, my lady?”

Another withering look, but she raised the spoon to her lips and sipped. Her eyes widened. “It’s very good.”

A huge smile spread across Rob’s face. Their first battle met, and they had both come out victors. “I’m glad you like it. Barnes does certain dishes I prefer very well, but in order to accomplish that, he first had to learn to make a good broth.”

She took another, larger sip.

“And for the pièce de résistance”—he grabbed a napkin he’d kept hidden in his pocket—“a biscuit.” Unwrapping it with a flourish, he held up a piece of hard, round bread.

“What is that?” She seemed to shrink back in the bed, as though the biscuit might attack her.

“Hardtack, made from flour and water only, baked for over an hour in the oven.” He banged it on the tray, making the teacup dance. “It’s called that for a reason. It is also the third part of my grandfather’s remedy.” He held it before her face, and she swallowed hard. “Care to try it?”

She eyed him coolly. “Do I have a choice?”

“Not really. Especially if you wish to feel well enough to go up on deck. It’s cold, I’ll grant you, but the breeze is crisp, and the smell of the salt air will cleanse your soul.”

Her eyes changed from sharp and wary to wide and inquisitive. “You have a great fondness for the sea, do you not, St. Just?”

“I admit I do.” Fondness? Lord, so much more than that. “All my life I have loved the sense of freedom she offers. The wide-open skies, the infinite water. Staring out to sea knowing you alone are in charge of your own destiny. The sense of adventure you feel standing at the bow at the break of day watching a new dawn burst into life as the spray stings your face. Riding slow and easy into a sunset that turns every color imaginable.” The life he’d truly been meant to live, save for the accident of his birth. “Had the duties of the marquessate not been my lot in life, I’d have been a sailor. Then I’d never have to leave her.” Distractions did come in many forms. He nodded to the biscuit. “Try a bite.”

Eying the hardtack, Lady Georgina sighed, then raised her eyebrows. “How did your grandfather propose getting this down a reluctant patient?” The humor in her voice made his spirits unaccountably soar.

“Do you wish a demonstration?”

“I do not.” Raising the hard bread to her mouth, the lady nibbled it and curled her lips. “It’s very dry.”

“That’s the secret to it. The dryness settles the stomach. I don’t know why; it just does.” He took the half-eaten bowl of broth, and, after she’d managed a couple of small bites of the hardtack, he whisked that away too, laying it next to the bowl on the tray. “That is quite enough for the moment. Too much will simply set you back.” He rose, well-satisfied with his charge. The lady might be stubborn, but she wasn’t unreasonable. Surprisingly witty, which had been a boon. And very beautiful with her hair mussed and unruly against the pillow.

Where had that come from? Heat rose in Rob’s cheeks at the random thought. The inappropriateness of his being there suddenly dawned on him. Had he just compromised this woman? He grabbed the tray and started for the door. “I’ll tell Clara that you are feeling a good deal better. When you’ve rested for a bit, I’ll tell her you may dress and come up on deck.”

“That sounds an excellent plan.” Yawning, Lady Georgina slid down between the sheets and smiled at him.

His cock surged up with a sudden desire stronger than any Rob had ever known before. He needed to leave and now, before he did something stupid, like ravish his charge here and now.

“Thank you very much, my lord.” She turned eyes of liquid emerald on him. “You have been most kind . . . for a kidnapper.”

Rob burst out laughing at the unexpected and less than sterling compliment, his disturbing mood broken, thank God. Lady Georgina was as unpredictable as she was beautiful. A dangerous combination, were a man’s heart in jeopardy. “I will do my best to continue that kindness, my lady.” He opened the door, and a whimper came from the corner. “What’s that noise?”

“Oh, Lulu.” Lady Georgina peered over the bed toward the little dog, now on her feet. She barked shrilly and darted toward the door. “My lord, would you take her on deck to a place she can do her necessary? The poor thing hasn’t had the chance in hours.”

“Of course.” Rob set the dishes back on the table. He’d attend to them later. “Come here, Lulu.” He bent to pick her up, only to be met with bared teeth and a growl. “Lulu, I am only trying to help you.”

“Lulu, come here.”

The animal trotted over to the bunk and put two paws on the edge, panting and seeming to laugh into her mistress’s face. Lady Georgina bent toward her and whispered something in her ear. When she leaned back, the dog dropped to the floor and walked sedately to Rob’s side and sat, looking up at him as if to say, “Can we get on with this?”

“She’ll be fine now. I told her not to bite you as you were helping us now.”

Rob glanced from the now amenable animal to the lady. “And she understood you?”

“She seems to have, don’t you think?”

Well, the lady had a point. Lulu appeared to be resigned to accepting his help. At least he hoped so. Gingerly, he stooped and picked her up. She put up no fuss whatsoever. Very odd. With one last dubious glance at Lady Georgina, Rob left the cabin, more puzzled than ever by the woman. As he carried Lulu up the passageway toward the fresh sea air, he shook his head.