Authors: Susannah Merrill
“’Tis a blessing to see you looking so lovely again, mum,” the maid encouraged as she skillfully coiled Sarah’s glossy locks into a fashionable chignon. “I’m sure Mr. Chamberlain will have trouble keeping his eyes from you in that gown.”
“Then I shall change forthwith,” Sarah snapped, plucking the low-cut bodice of the sapphire-hued gown of silk satin. “The last thing I need is Stewart Chamberlain ogling me in front of Captain Slade.”
Tegan sighed patiently. “You haven’t much time, mum. Besides, I doubt there is a dress in your wardrobe that would not become you. You and the Duchess took ever so much care to make sure those Colonists ....”
“Don’t remind me,” Sarah hu ffed, moving her head away from Tegan’s last-minute pats. “My mother insisted on putting me in such immodest costumes. Sometimes I wonder about her sense of propriety.”
“You are a young woman,” Tegan said fondly. “’Tis only natural that you should dress like one.”
“Spare me, Teeg. I understand completely my mother’s designs. She wants to arrange me as window dressing for sale to the highest bidder.” Sarah frowned. “She thinks I would be happy as a wife, a life I cannot see for myself. Who wants a partner who would rather read than prepare teas? Or prefer to go riding rather than ... than ....” Tegan smiled broadly and Sarah knew she did not have an ally. “Than ... never mind. But thanks to her, I own not one costume that any could call ‘maidenly’ anymore.”
A knock at the cabin door silenced her complaining and immediately a nervous lump rose in her throat. “Get the door,” she whispered, cold fingers pulling up the material that barely shielded the swell of her firm young breasts.
Tegan did as she was told. “Good evening, sir,” she smiled warmly at the tall figure dressed in a dark blue coat and white shirt with a conservatively tied stock. How her mistress did not melt at the very sight of him, Teeg would never understand.
“Hello, Tegan. Is your mistress ready?”
Before Tegan could reply, Sarah snatched a cloak as she crossed the room and announced, “Yes, Mr. Chamberlain. Shall we go?”
If Stewart were surprised by her curtness, he did not show it. Taking her cloak as she passed him outside the door, he skillfully draped it over her shoulders before she moved out of his reach. Sarah walked the few steps to the captain’s quarters and looked back at Stewart, who was eying her quizzically. “Well?” she intoned, wondering why he had not followed her.
“Jeremiah was detained slightly. He asked that I entertain you while he finishes dressing,” Stewart said pleasantly as he came toward her. “Shall we take a stroll on deck? It’s not too cool.”
Sarahnodded,shieldingherembarrassed flush by turning toward the stairs. Silently she cursed herself for her haste. If she’d stayed in the cabin, Tegan would have saved her from being alone with this disturbing man.
But as they stepped onto the main deck, Sarah was immediately distracted by the luscious beauty of the evening. A full moon bathed their surroundings in silvery white light. The gentle roll of the ship and the rhythmical voices of the schooner singing through the calm waters created a relaxed, almost intoxicating, atmosphere, and Sarah gasped at the wonder of it all. “I have never seen a setting so exquisite,” she cried, forgetting her nervousness and her restraint as she moved swiftly to the railing. “Look how the ocean reflects the light. ‘Tis as bright as a winter’s day!” she whispered, completely in awe of the fantastical vision seen only by those at sea. The air was pleasantly cool and smelled clean and fresh; a soft breeze stirred the tendrils around Sarah’s face as she arched her slender neck to catch the lovely sensations.
As she drank in the setting in silent reverence, Stewart allowed his gaze to rest on her dramatic profile. She appeared a part of the scenery in her ice blue gown, the moon glowing white on her pale, delicate skin. It was so bright he could actually see the vibrant blue of her eyes, fringed by those impossibly thick eyelashes. She was indeed a diamond of the first water, exquisitely beautiful and rare. Such a vision was she that his breath was nearly taken away by a sudden and tremendous urge to touch her. Never had a woman affected him so spontaneously and he wrestled silently with his masculine urgings.
Turning to hide his struggle, he leaned against the railing, his coat sleeve lightly teasing her arm. Reawakened to his presence, Sarah inclined her head slightly to glance at his moonlit profile. She had not looked directly at him until now and was again struck by his classical handsomeness. The strong features were softened somewhat by the curling dark hair that gently blew round his face and the strangely vulnerable expression he wore. Was something troubling him perhaps? She had thought him happy to be on this voyage, sailing for home after such a long absence. But obviously he was not at the minute the carefree soul she had always believed him to be.
Somehow this realization strengthened her, allowing her to relax in his presence in the beautiful moonlight. “I never knew the high seas could be this peaceful, this inviting,” she offered tentatively.
With a blink, the boyish look was gone. The old confident Stewart reappeared, his voice deep, assured. “The seas hold many nights like this, which is why some find it difficult to live their lives without it.”
“I was,” he replied, his eyes sparkling in the full light, “when I was younger. But no longer. I prefer the adventures to be encountered in business. The sea can extract too dear a price.”
“My duties kept me onboard for long periods and rather than moving from port to port, we simply stayed to sea for as long as we were able. Our primary purpose was to throw a rub in the way of any who would thwart America’s interests. When one’s life is stripped of all elements save survival, it is not the kind of existence I would call ‘rewarding’.” He turned his body toward her, still leaning on the railing. “But this,” his voice softened as he stretched his arm out to sea, “when you are sailing for home in so fine a ship in the company of friends and fair weather? Well, you see for yourself. It would be easy to become half-sprung with pleasure.”
“Aye,” Sarah agreed, feeling again the companionship they had ever so briefly shared over a month ago. She knew a strong desire to tell him how excited she was to be on this voyage, how much she was looking forward to the realization of her dreams; that his presence was much less a curse than a comfort to her. But it could not be. Her confession would make her vulnerable and that was something she could not afford, especially in this overwhelmingly romantic setting. “Do you think Captain Slade is ready for us now?”
“I think we’ve given him enough time,” Stewart answered. “I hope you’ve regained your appetite,” he continued, offering his arm to her. “Cook’s prepared a feast for us, I understand. And as an old seafarer to a new one, I recommend that you eat hearty for the food becomes less appetizing with each passing day. There are only so many fresh provisions we can store.”
Sarah rested her hand lightly on his coat sleeve as he guided her toward the hatchway. “How long will it take us to get to Boston now that we are not on a direct path?’
“If the weather continues and the winds are in our favor, we will be there before the month is out; probably sooner with Jeremiah so eager to be with his family. He pushes the ship and crew to the limit when he’s homeward bound.” As he handed her down the wooden steps, he added, his lips disturbingly close to her ear, “So don’t be offended should he leave us suddenly during dinner. We’re at full sail and he likes to make regular inspections.” CHAPTER 16
As Sarah listened to the banter between Stewart and Jeremiah, while Ezra cleared away the remains of the delicious meal, she realized she should not have worried that this intimate supper might cause her discomfort or stress. The gentlemen on either side of her were quite experienced when it came to putting a lady at her ease and she found herself thoroughly enjoying their company. Jeremiah was eager to answer any questions she had about their travels, their family and the strange, new country she was soon to visit. Stewart, too, seemed pleased with her presence; more relaxed and candid than she had ever seen him. He joked, laughed, and, she was relieved to note, did not chafe her with any smoldering glances or accidental touches that she would have found impossible to ignore.
With Ezra gone, the three shared a second decanter of Madeira and talked until Jeremiah needed to check their course with the watch on the bridge. After he left, Stewart turned his full attention to Sarah, noticing at once how the wine had added a blushing hue to her fair skin. “Perhaps you’d care for a little fresh air?” he offered kindly. “It’s gotten rather warm in here.”
“Ohyes,please,”Sarahsighed,pressinga napkin against her damp forehead. Rising with a nearly imperceptible lurch, she accepted Stewart’s strong hand on her elbow as he guided her to the cabin door. Trying to ignore her sudden lightheadedness, she walked very carefully to the wooden stairs, chattering all the way. “I had not realized it was so stuffy inside. Dinner was lovely, ever so much more sumptuous than I expected. Tell me, Mr. Chamberlain,” she continued as they moved toward the railing, shining white in the moonlight, “do you and Captain Slade always use bone china at your meals? I had envisioned dining at sea to be somewhat less ....”
“Usually our meals are taken a bit more rustically, but this was a special occasion. It’s rare that we have such a lovely guest on board and we did want you to feel at home. I hope we’ve succeeded ....”
“Indeed you have,” Sarah gushed, eager to show her pleasure. “I am finding my adventure much more comfortable than I anticipated. I thank you for that.” She emphasized her delight with a genuine, if slightly lopsided, smile, and Stewart knew then for a certainty that she was quite drunk.
“I cannot promise you such luxury for the entire voyage, I’m afraid, especially should the weather turn. In that event, all hands are needed and our meals are not quite so leisurely.”
“Oh, I understand completely. I do not expect or wish to be catered to. It is enough that you have given up your quarters to me and my maid. We are so comfortable, I’m sure it was quite a sacrifice.”
Stewart gazed at her, a mirthful expression on his handsome face. “Only in that I could not share the comforts with you.” To his surprise, Sarah giggled, and looked up at him, her eyes shining mischievously, no offense taken.
“I am sure Tegan would be pleased with that arrangement. She is forever remarking on what a reassuring presence you are.” Delighted with her coyness, Sarah held onto the railing and threw her head back, giggling again. Stewart had never seen her so devil-may-care and the vision was enticing, but he cautioned himself to tread lightly, for he had seen before how quickly he could arouse her suspicious wrath.
Sarah gazed up at him, scrutinizing his tanned face in the
formulate an evasive
moonlight, attempting to answer. Flirting with him
might be fun after all. But her mind could not, for some reason, focus on anything more than those dark eyes that expressed a desire her own body suddenly felt helpless to repel.
How lovely it would be to sample the tenderness of his lips again, to feel the strength of his well-muscled arms, to be pressed so close as to nearly suffocate in his passionate grasp. All her carefully reasoned arguments flew as she felt her own heartbeat pounding in her ears knowing that she could not struggle anymore. Turning slowly to face him, her arms seemed to move of their own accord to his shoulders and she closed her eyes to accept his lips on hers.
Ifheweresurprisedbyherboldness,his response did not convey it. With slow sureness, Stewart’s warm lips captured hers as his arms enfolded her. With a moan of pleasure, she opened her mouth slightly to allow his tongue easy access. Pressing herself closer so that her breasts were crushed against his unrelenting chest, Sarah caught her fingers in the curling hair at the nape of his neck, as it to thwart any attempts he might make to move away,
Stewart’s mouth slid from hers to her cheek, to her ear, the perfumed softness of her neck and then back hungrily to her waiting lips. Moved by the dizzying urgings of her body, her delicate tongue possessed his with a passion that surprised them both, Stewart’s skilled fingers caressed her hair and finding the combs Tegan had so carefully put in place, removed them so that Sarah’s luscious dark tresses tumbled over her shoulders, filling the air with its subtle fragrance.
With her hair unbound, Sarah’s response seemed to take on new fervor. She moved instinctively now, planting hot kisses on Stewart’s face, ears and neck as he lost himself in the sweetness of her shining locks. Pressing her closer, his mouth left a searing trail down her pale skin to the heaving flesh just above her ice blue gown. She reveled in the sudden tremors of desire that shook her when his lean fingers molded themselves to her firm breasts, massaging the peaks beneath the heavy fabric as his lips and tongue lovingly caressed the straining mounds of flesh. For a moment, she cursed the gown that had earlier seemed so immodest, but now was holding her breasts captive from his searching mouth.
Sensing her frustration, and feeling not a small amount himself, Stewart tenderly slid his hand up to her chin, and tipping her flushed face up, gazed wistfully into her puzzled, tormented blue eyes. With a sigh, he lightly kissed her passion-reddened lips and the tip of her slender nose. Pulling her head against his chest, he gently stroked her neck beneath the tousled brown hair, and spoke. “Oh Sarah, what a bewitching temptation you are. You almost made me forget our setting is public. And I am too selfish to allow any other man to view your charms.”
Only beginning to realize the abandonment of her actions, Sarah stiffened at his words. “I’m quite sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She felt, rather than heard, the rumbling of a chuckle deep within his broad chest, “Surely by now you can tell when a man wants to make love to you. I think you want it as much as I”