“Interesting. I’ve performed for them a couple of times overseas. I was the force’s sweetheart for a couple of years.” She sighed heavily and her face fell. “I never want to go back to Afghanistan or Iraq again. Even though we were in the green zone, we still had a couple of attacks on the compound that scared the life out of me. If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”
Oh, there’s definitely something you can help me with. Billy’s groin twitched against the seam of her jeans pleasurably. Stop it! Focus on work and not being horny! She slid her reading glasses back on and picked up the sheet music.
This is bloody torture!
***
Elizabeth took her Kindle from her bag and opened it to the biography she was reading. Her eyes scanned the words but didn’t take them in. The soft movements of a pencil stroke or Billy’s fingers as she conducted a few bars of whatever she was listening to distracted her.
Wow, ten days on a boat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean with Billy Christian. Perhaps there’s a chance my dreams will become reality. She’s so strong, yet soft. Her passion for music is visible. Damn…what the hell am I going to do about this burning libido of mine? She looks so sexy in those glasses. Like a hot secretary. I bet she works out, too. When I squeezed her bicep, I had to stop myself from fanning my face at the taut bundle under my fingers. Bloody hell, she’s a walking wet dream!
If the book wouldn’t hold her interest, then she had to lose herself in the music in the hopes it would take her mind off of the alluring woman next to her.
An hour later, she was immersed in each of the different genres she’d downloaded. The 1940’s big band swing that piped through her earphones made her tap her foot. The intro to Bang Bang by Will.i.am made her dance in her seat. The song took her away from the world around her. It was one of her go-to hits when she was in a bad mood. The female vocalist came through and Elizabeth’s lips moved along to the music. On the second chorus, she joined in, letting her voice blend seamlessly with the beat.
A tap on her arm made her rip the buds from her ears.
“You weren’t anywhere near classical pitch, but you were loud.” Billy kept hold of her arm and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“I can’t help it; I love this song!” She held an earphone up close to Billy’s ear.
“I know what you mean about the tune. It’s addictive. Perhaps you should skip your all-time favourite songs until you’re alone and can sing as much as you want. Did you see the film it was in?” Billy peered down to where her hand rested and pulled it back. Elizabeth tried not to be disappointed.
“Yes, the remake of The Great Gatsby. I was sold when I heard Carey Mulligan was in it.” She groaned and placed a hand over her heart. “I’m sucker for a woman with dark hair.”
Billy had been running her fingers through her jet-black curls, but when Elizabeth spoke, she stopped. She arched an eyebrow and smirked at her. “Oh? Do tell.”
Elizabeth stared at her hands as her face warmed and she laced her fingers together. “No.”
Billy picked her music up and chuckled. “Don’t worry, I won’t give you a hard time. But seeing as you’re going to have trouble not singing, do you want to help me? You can’t sing along to any of this.”
“Thank you. I really could do with some relaxing and music helps. But if anyone recognises me, my holiday won’t be the quiet retreat I was hoping for.” She folded the earbuds around her iPod and put it in her bag.
When she looked up at Billy, she saw that she was offering her a single bud to put in her ear.
“We’ll need to share. I haven’t listened to it all the way through yet. It’s about thirty minutes of music. There are several other aspects of the service that may affect the length of some pieces, but it won’t be anything too drastic.”
Elizabeth took the bud and put it in her right ear as Billy put the other in her left. Billy angled the sheet music so they could both see it. Her flowing, looping script was artistic on its own, almost like calligraphy. The next sheet of paper made Elizabeth smile. The score full of black notes, squiggles, and hastily scribbled ideas in the margin.
“Okay, sit back and relax,” Billy said. She pressed the start button and the vibrant, spine-tingling sound of the snare drums of one of the massed bands flowed through the earbuds.
When the music started, Elizabeth immediately tapped her fingers on her knee. The Radetzky March was an enthusiastic piece, the sort the audience usually clapped along to. As she anticipated, Billy stopped the song after the introduction.
“Sorry, I have to time it to the rest of the program.”
Elizabeth smirked and leaned back into her chair. She closed her eyes and waited for the next bit of music to start. I can easily do this for the next hour, and it gives me an excuse to sit closer to her.
The miles sped past as they listened to each piece. They worked well together. Elizabeth made suggestions, and between them they studied the sheet music and then had each piece ready to send over to the Director of Music for the Coldstream Guards.
“Thanks for all your help. It was nice to have someone to brainstorm with who can read music.” Billy put all of the paperwork into a folder and shoved it into her briefcase. “I think it’s time to kick back and relax for the last part of the journey.”
The driver’s microphone clicked on. “Ladies and gentlemen, we’ll be arriving at Southampton Docks in fifteen minutes. Please ensure you have your passports and tickets ready for the check-in staff. Belinda Christian and Bethany Mason, please see me once we’ve stopped.”
They frowned at being singled out.
“Before the porters get a chance to start handling the luggage, I need to get off and grab my Rowland and the stand.” Billy stood and pulled her bags down from the overhead compartment.
Elizabeth’s eyes widened as three bags appeared on the seat next to her. “You won’t be able to carry all of that. Give me your rucksack and briefcase. You can have it back once you know where your cabin is.” She unzipped a compartment in her bag and produced her passport and ticket information. “You might as well give me your documents, too. You’ll struggle handing it over while lugging all of that.” Elizabeth held her hand out and wiggled her fingers.
“You’re a lifesaver, Beth. Thank you.” She leaned down and kissed Elizabeth’s cheek.
Thankfully, Billy’s attention was on the view out of the large windscreen when Elizabeth’s hand rose of its own volition and rubbed the spot she’d kissed with her fingers.
The coach shuddered to a stop and they looked out of the side window at the pristine, shining white side of the ship. Above them, in royal blue lettering, was the name The Princess Royal.
“Wow!” Elizabeth turned her head when she felt Billy’s soft breath against her ear and cheek, and realised she was looking over Elizabeth’s right shoulder. “I’m glad we’re on a smaller ship. I don’t think I could cope with one of those floating hotel monstrosities.”
The coach rocked from side to side as people made their way down the centre aisle and stepped off. As the younger crew disembarked, a few patted Elizabeth on the shoulder when they passed. Others winked and grinned cheekily at them.
Billy stepped off the coach first and turned and offered her hand to Elizabeth to help her down the last larger step and onto the ground. The salty sea air filled Elizabeth’s lungs, and the annoying, yet typical seaside sound of shrieking seagulls could be heard as they circled overhead.
The driver was waiting for them at the compartment where Billy said the keyboard had been stowed. He smiled as they approached. “I thought you’d like to unload this yourself.”
“Thank you. We’re also the passengers you wanted to speak to. Is there some kind of problem?” Billy asked as she reached into the belly of the coach and took her Rowland out.
“I have all our paperwork, so if there’s something wrong we need to talk to the tour operators,” Elizabeth added as she held the documents out to him.
He slammed
the large door shut when Billy was clear and locked it with a key. “Oh, nothing like that. You’re being loaded through a separate entrance. As you have premium VIP packages, you don’t have to wait in line with the others to board. The whole process will be quicker.” His hand rose and he pointed to a large bellhop trolley that already had their bags stacked on it. A porter wearing a crisp white tunic, black trousers, and white gloves was waiting for them.
“Wonderful!” Elizabeth held her hand out to the driver. “Thank you so much.”
Once he’d pumped it a few times, Billy thanked him as well, and together they stepped towards the porter. When they neared, he pushed the cart toward the bow of the boat and the long, reinforced metal gangway stretching up into the ship. Their bags were handed off to another member of the staff, who whisked them away into the hull. The porter escorted them from the pier into a luxurious, air-conditioned reception room.
Chapter Eleven
Elizabeth glanced down as her foot came into contact with plush carpet, the same royal blue as the lettering on the ship’s exterior. “Wow.” Her gaze swept around the small space. Beyond the check-in desk was a set of double doors leading into the belly of the ship, and the bright lights and happy chatter from the guests who’d already boarded filled the air. “Oh, I can’t wait to explore.”
A beautiful woman with long, flowing brown locks drew to a halt next to Billy and Elizabeth and cleared her throat. “Welcome aboard the Princess Royal. My name’s Lydia and I’ll be your personal assistant on this trip. If there’s anything you need to know or want help with, then don’t hesitate to call me.” She handed a business card to Elizabeth. “May I please have your boarding passes and passports?”
Elizabeth took a step forward and handed them over.
The woman frowned while she inspected their tickets and boarding information. Her fingers quickly tapped over the keys of the computer in front of her. “There seems to be a problem. You’ve been booked in separate rooms for some reason. Please, give me a second to rectify that.”
“Oh, please forgive me for not explaining.” Elizabeth took a step up to the desk and rested her arms on top of the ledge. “Ms. Christian and I are not a couple. We booked our tickets separately. So, please, leave the rooms as they are.”
Lydia winked at them. “Oh, I’m sorry for assuming!”
“Don’t be.” Billy chuckled and rested her keyboard on the floor, leaning it against her legs. “I’d be honoured for you to think Beth is my girlfriend.”
Elizabeth’s head snapped to the right so fast she thought she might have pulled a muscle. Did she just say that or was I hearing things?
“The other problem I have is that Ms. Mason’s name doesn’t match up with her passport.” Lydia returned her attention to the computer screen.
“You’ve got to be bloody kidding me!” Elizabeth threw her hands in the air. “There should be a note in your system to tell you I’m travelling under an alias and the reason why! I know for a fact my assistant took care of it so there must be a glitch on your end.” She paced the floor and wrung her hands. Don’t they realise how important this? “I’d like to talk to the person in charge of bookings or the senior crew member aboard this ship!”
“I’m the booking agent on staff, and I’m sorry, but unless I receive confirmation of your identity, you won’t be able to travel with us.” Lydia looked over to Billy when she heard the other woman emit a growl.
“What?” Elizabeth slapped the top of the desk with the palm of her hand and had to fight hard not to cringe as a stinging pain rippled up her arm. “That’s unacceptable. I specifically requested anonymity. If there’s a mistake, it’s due to your company’s incompetence.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to disembark the ship.” Lydia’s throat bobbed as Billy took a step toward the desk.
“What type of shoddy scam are you people—”
“Please forgive the error.” A man dressed in dark trousers, a blue blazer, white shirt, and black tie stepped forward and stopped Billy’s tirade. The lapels on his jacket were embossed with gold thread. “It won’t be necessary for Ms. Knight to leave. I’m sorry for any embarrassment caused and it’s entirely my fault as I hoped to be here to welcome you both aboard personally.”
Elizabeth looked at the silver nametag attached on the left side of the jacket. Captain Walter Freemont. He was in his late forties to early fifties. A small brown goatee streaked with grey framed his mouth and chin.
Elizabeth glanced at Billy. Her posture was rigid and her blue eyes glinted. She’d seen that look before, only it had been directed at Carlo. The Captain was about to get a mouthful. She reached out with a trembling hand and snagged hold of Billy’s. She linked their fingers together and gave them a soft squeeze. “No harm, no foul, Captain. However, it could’ve been a messy mistake had I been made to leave.” She took a deep breath and wiggled her shoulders. “Everything is settled and I’m sure Lydia has everything in order.”
“I do, and I’m sorry about the mix-up. Please accept my sincere apologies.” She slid the documents back across the desk.
The Captain held his hand out to Elizabeth, then Billy. “Welcome aboard. I hope you have a pleasant journey with us. There’s a welcome gift waiting for you in your cabins along with a VIP information package that contains a personal invitation to dine with me.” He motioned with his hand for Lydia to join them. “Lydia will show you to your suites on the upper deck. If there’s anything I can do for you to make your vacation more pleasurable, let me know.”
“Captain, it’s very important to me that my identity remains anonymous. I can’t emphasise that enough.” The warmth of Billy’s hand in hers travelled over her body. I wonder if she minds me holding onto her for this long.
“Of course. I’ll ensure you’re afforded your privacy.” With a nod of his head, Captain Freemont indicated to Lydia to show them to their rooms.
“You’re both on the same deck, so the trip will be quick.”
When Lydia pushed the double doors open and they entered the cavernous centre of the ship, Elizabeth’s mouth dropped open.
She stopped walking and tugged on the strong hand she still held in her smaller one, pulling Billy to a stop. She tilted her head back and gazed up at the clear domed ceiling. Two staircases led the way up to the higher decks. The soothing sound of running water drew her attention, and she turned to see a water feature shaped like a large rock formation situated in between them. A flat metal tray carried the water down into a tranquil pool, which was lit from below with blue bulbs. It was ethereal. Shrubs lined the tray and sides and gave the appearance of a manmade stream.
“It’s beautiful.”
Lydia led them over to a glass elevator and motioned for them to enter. The handrails and controls were made from polished brass, and there wasn’t one smudge on the walls or the glass ceiling.
As the elevator ascended, she saw a cluster of shops offering everything from clothes to books to gourmet confections.
A few minutes later, they found themselves in a narrow corridor with walls the colour of rich milk-chocolate and a silver carpet.
Lydia stopped in front of a door and opened it. “Ms. Christian, this is your suite. Please take your time getting settled. We’ll be leaving port in thirty minutes. If you’d, like I can arrange for you both to have a personal viewing balcony.”
“I think I’d like to mingle and watch from the deck, but thank you for the offer.” Billy had no choice but to drop Elizabeth’s hand as she entered her room. “Have fun. I’m sure we’ll catch up with each other later.”
Their gazes locked and held for a moment before Lydia cleared her throat and reminded them they weren’t alone.
Dutifully, Elizabeth followed Lydia to her room. She laughed loudly when they stopped at the next door down.
Billy leaned out of her room and grinned like a Cheshire cat when she saw only a thin wall separated them. “Hey, neighbour. Want to join me for a drink once we’ve unp
acked?”
“Yep. Give me half an hour and I’ll come find you!” Elizabeth placed her hand over her heart, feeling it thud rapidly against her palm. Oh, this holiday is going to be so much better now I know she’s on it with me! I can’t believe my reaction to her. Okay, so I’ve been having sexual fantasies since Covent Garden, but I never expected this!
Chapter Twelve
When Billy entered her room, the first thing she noticed was the spacious king-size bed. On it was a thick, welcoming duvet and plush pillows covered in white cotton cases, a satin strip of royal blue down either side. They leaned back against the solid, pale-coloured pine headboard. No matter how enticing and supple they look, I can’t take a nap. But perhaps a bounce test is in order. She propped her keyboard against a wall then flopped back into the heavenly, body-moulding mattress. It would be so easy for me to…drop off. Her eyes slipped closed for a second before they snapped back open. Nope! I’ve things to unpack and I want to explore this beautiful ship.
She leaned up on her forearms and noticed her suitcase had already made it to her room and was waiting for her on the luggage rack. Time to get to it! She pushed off the bed and crossed the room. When she’d unzipped the case, she looked up and drank in the rest of her surroundings.
Plain magnolia walls held black-and-white pictures of flowers and rugged coastlines. A rich chocolate-brown leather sofa, big enough to seat three, sat in the corner. A tub chair was in front of the small bureau-styled desk. Another door led her to the bathroom, which had a massive whirlpool bath and a stand-alone marble shower. She pulled open another door and was surprised to see a wardrobe and built-in chest of drawers. She caught sight of her reflection in the mirror on the door and grinned. This is exactly what the doctor ordered. Thank you, Vanessa! Note to self: order her some flowers.
A heady aroma, something naturally sweet yet herbal, drew her attention to the desk, and the large bouquet that sat atop it. Next to it was a basket of fresh fruit and a wine bucket. On closer inspection, she saw it was filled with ice and the gold-topped neck of a bottle poked out. Examining it, she found it to be a bottle of Bollinger Special Cuvee Champagne. Two frosted crystal flutes sat next to it, with a note directing her to the small fridge and the strawberries that had also been supplied. Very nice!
Composing Love Page 10