The Cracksman's Kiss

by Killarney Sheffield

  With a small pout Kassie crossed the room and flopped into the chair opposite the maid.

  “I thought being on a ship would be an exciting adventure, but there is nothing to do. The earl insisted he could not possibly endure a bouncing coach trip to Bath, but I fear it would have been more enjoyable than this.”

  Sally looked up from her mending. “There are many books on the shelf. Perhaps one of them would interest you?”

  Kassie shook her head. “Reading always makes me sleepy.” She slouched, resting her elbow on the arm of the chair with her chin cupped in her hand.

  The maid smiled. “If you like I could teach you how to sew to pass the time.”

  “Would you?” Kassie asked, her mood brightening at the idea of having something worthwhile to do.

  Sally shrugged. “Sure. Here, ‘tis easy.” She passed the needle and thick thread to Kassie.

  “Let me show you a few of the simpler stitches.”

  The afternoon flew by as Kassie concentrated on learning the new skill. Before she knew it, it was time to dress for dinner. She chose a deep blue velvet evening gown, and Sally pinned her hair up in her favorite cascade of curls. Satisfied her appearance was in order, she paced back and forth waiting for the earl. Finally the door to his bedchamber opened, and he hobbled in, dressed in formal dinner attire.

  He gave her a once over and nodded his approval. “Well, then, let’s go girl. Mind you keep to one glass of wine tonight so you do not embarrass yourself like the last dinner party.”

  Kassie bit her lip to hold back her retort. It would do no good to tell him she had not embarrassed herself; it would only make him surly. He might think to forbid her to leave her room for the remainder of the voyage. The earl exited the sitting room, and she followed in meek submission as he expected.

  The dining room was as large as the earl’s she discovered. The massive oak table stretched from one end of the room to the other and was bolted to the floor. The captain, a rather short, older man, rose from his seat at the head of the table and raised her hand to his lips. His salt and pepper beard tickled her fingers. “I am Captain Maxim Winters, and you must be the lovely Lady Everton.” He dropped her hand and gestured to a seat on his left. “I would be honored if you would sit beside me.”

  She nodded and took her seat. The earl sat opposite her on the captain’s other side, passing her a warning scowl as the other guests began to file in. To her disappointment they all seemed to be almost as old as the earl, except for Comté Ashton who took an empty seat a few chairs down and across the table.

  The captain was polite and attentive as course after course was brought out and consumed. Kassie was careful to keep her responses short and sedate. She glanced up at the earl a number of times during the meal and did not detect any annoyance toward her behavior. If she played the part of a demur lady perhaps the earl would be pleased enough to allow her some freedom on the ship.

  An elderly lady seated across from Kassie addressed her, “Is this your first trip to Bath, my dear?”

  “Yes, it is.” Kassie smiled. “The physician thought it might be good for my husband to take in the healing waters.”

  The woman nodded. “How right he is. There is nothing better for what ails one.”

  “I thought it might settle my young wife,” the earl interjected. “You know it is difficult for one so young and flighty to settle into her wifely duties.”

  Kassie’s cheeks burned at the earl’s cutting remark. She looked down at her plate as the other gentlemen snickered. Must the fault for all things lie with me?

  “The young ladies these days are a little like young thoroughbreds,” another gentleman explained. “One must rein them in until they have a few miles on them, then they settle down to an acceptable pace.”

  “Here, here,” said another. “I do not know how you do it, Everton, keeping a lovely young filly like yours happy and content.”

  The earl affected a superior look. “A strict schedule does the trick. Keeping them busy and their minds on bearing babes is the secret.”

  A chorus of chuckles pricked her anger. Self-righteous cads!

  As if sensing her discomfort the comté came to her rescue. “It has been my experience one as gentle and sweet natured as Lady Everton hardly needs reining in.”

  Kassie gave him a small grateful smile.

  The comté dipped his head in acknowledgment. “I had the pleasure of dining at Lord Everton’s home. He is a lucky man, indeed, to have such a lovely young wife.”

  “Speaking of wives, Lord Ashton, are you ever going to quit playing in the dirt and find yourself some lovely young thing to spend the rest of your days with?” the elderly lady across from Kassie peered at him through her looking glass.

  Kassie struggled to hide her grin as the man blushed and pretended interest in a piece of potato on his plate. “Alas, Lady Wendell, I have yet to find an unwed lady who can hold a candle to the excitement of finding a rare artifact. Rest assured if there comes a day when such a fascinating lady captures my attention, she will definitely be worth pursuing.”

  Everyone at the table tittered.

  The earl stood with a sour look. “Lady Everton, if you please, it is time for us gentlemen to have our port and cigars. I will escort you back to your room.”

  Kassie stood. “Goodnight, everyone.” She favored the comté with a bright smile, prepared to bear her husband’s scathing tongue for it, and followed the earl back to her room.

  To her surprise, the earl refrained from chastising her as he opened the door to their stateroom. “I shall be late tonight so do not wait up. You may expect me to resume my nightly visits to your bed tomorrow evening at the usual time.” He ushered her inside the sitting room without waiting for her to answer and left, locking the door behind him.

  Chapter Six

  Kassie awoke the next morning convinced her stomach was hosting a revolt. With a moan she rolled over and curled into a fetal position. Closing her eyes, she tried to ignore the offensive rocking motion of the ship.

  “Sally?”

  Upon receiving no answer she opened her eyes. The small cot the maid slept on was made up neat and tidy. Kassie clapped her hand over her mouth as her stomach rolled. She bolted from the bed to the chamber pot where she unloaded the contents of her stomach and then huddled on the floor. When she was sure the worst was over she crawled to the open door of the sitting room. The maid was not there either. Miserable and weak, she rested her head on the door frame, gathering the strength to return to her bed.

  A knock sounded on the stateroom door. Staggering to her feet, she made her way across to see who was there. When she turned the knob she was surprised to find it unlocked. She swung the door open.

  “Sally, where have you been? I feel terrible…” she trailed off, staring at Comté Ashton who stood in the open doorway.

  “I am sorry if I am intruding, Lady Everton.” He paused when she leaned against the door to steady herself. “You really are sick. Why are you not in bed?”

  Kassie glared at him. “There was no one else to answer the door.”

  He glanced over his shoulder before stepping past her into the room. After shutting the door he led her to the settee. Once she was seated, he marched to her room, disappearing inside. A moment later he came back with a thick wool blanket which he spread across her lap and tucked in around her.

  “You do not have to take care of me, my lord.” She submitted to his administrations, too weak to offer any resistance.

  “I am here, and I do not see anyone else to care for you.” He poured some water into a basin, dunked his handkerchief and wrung it out. He knelt on the floor beside her feet, folded the wet cloth and tenderly laid it across her forehead.

  Kassie moaned. “I feel wretched.”

  “You look it.” When she glowered at him he grinned. “Do not worry, my dear, you are not the first person to get seasick you know.”

  “Is that what is wrong with me? Are you sure it is not someth
ing more serious? Perhaps I am dying.”

  The comté chuckled. “Never fear, although many a great man has fallen prey to seasickness, none I know ever perished from it.”

  Despite her wretched condition, Kassie giggled.

  The outer door opened and Sally entered carrying a breakfast tray. She paused on the threshold. “My lady?”

  “Sally, I have been looking for you.”

  The maid hurried into the room and placed the tray on the card table. “Is everything alright, my lady?”

  Ashton nodded. “Your mistress is just a little seasick.”

  Kassie groaned.”A little?”

  His upper lip twitched, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “I stand corrected—your mistress is very seasick.” He gave Kassie a small bow. “I see sufficient help has arrived so I will beg your leave.”

  “Wait.” Kassie held the cloth to her head as she sat up to keep it in place. “You came to see me for something?”

  “Actually I came to see your husband.”

  “Oh,” she mumbled, disappointed he did not come to see her, but at the same time guilty she wanted him to say such a thing.

  “What about, or do you make a habit of consorting with half-naked married women in their parlors?” the earl asked, limping into the room with a scowl on his wrinkled face.

  Kassie’s cheeks heated when she realized she answered the door clad in only a thin nightdress.

  “Your wife answered the door as her maid was occupied. I merely helped her to the settee since she is so obviously seasick.” The comté cast her a sympathetic look.

  The earl glared at her. “Where was your maid?”

  She looked down at her hands and wrung the edge of the blanket. “She was getting me a breakfast tray, my lord. I thought it was her when I answered the door.” Of all the moments for her husband to show up; she couldn’t look any guiltier in his eyes unless she had her arms around the man’s neck.

  The comté cleared his throat. “I came to speak to you about a piece of pottery my team discovered this year. I understand you have in your collection a similar one, entirely intact. Perhaps we can discuss it somewhere else so we will not disturb your wife.”

  The earl walked with Ashton to the door. “I do not see what there is to discuss, but if you must, we can talk in the card room.”

  The comté gave Kassie a polite bow. “I hope you are feeling better soon, Lady Everton.”

  Kassie sighed when the door shut behind the two men. “Oh, Sally, I have done it again.

  Every time I behave in a way the earl approves of, I do something irresponsible and make him angry with me.”

  “It is my fault, my lady,” Sally wailed. “I should not have left you alone. I did not know you were sick. I will tell his lordship it was my wrongdoing.”

  “You did nothing incorrect. If you tell Lord Everton it is your fault he might fire you then I would be all alone. You are my only friend. If I take the blame what is the worst my husband can do, other than lock me in my room for the rest of the trip?”

  Sally looked doubtful as she took the lid off the tray. The smell of bacon and eggs wafted to Kassie and her stomach threatened to rebel again. Clamping a hand over her mouth, she leaped off the settee, making a mad dash for the chamber pot. After retching she climbed back into bed and curled up in a ball of misery.

  “I will take your breakfast back to the galley and see about getting you some toast and weak tea.”

  “Good idea,” Kassie mumbled.

  * * * *

  By later in the evening Kassie’s stomach settled somewhat. She was still queasy and weak but well enough to nibble on some bland biscuits and drink some tea. She was propped up in bed reading a book on Rome when the earl entered her bedchamber.

  He crossed to her bedside. “I see you are still feeling under the weather.”

  Kassie set the book in her lap. “Yes, my lord.”

  His eyes narrowed, and he scrutinized her as if searching for some indication of falsehood on her part. “Odd, I did not think you would be the type to get seasick. One might expect it from true blue-blooded lass, but not one of such a sturdy stock as yourself.”

  “I am sorry to disappoint you, my lord,” Kassie muttered.

  “Well, I suppose it cannot be helped. Perhaps it is for the best you stay confined to your room for the remainder of the voyage.”

  The prospect of staying in her room, no matter how ill, was daunting. “Mayhap some fresh sea air might just do the trick, my lord.”

  “I doubt that. As for your marriage bed duties, I will have to give you a reprieve until you are feeling better.”

  “Thank you,” Kassie mumbled, careful to keep her relief from showing.

  “You will take care to stay away from that scoundrel, Ashton. You are not to admit him to your rooms under any circumstances, do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes, my lord, but nothing happened. He was just trying to be kind—”

  “You were alone, half-clothed, in a room with a notorious rake,” the earl bellowed. Kassie cringed. He made it sound worse than it was. He was angry with her, again.

  “I will send that maid of yours packing as soon as we dock.”

  She caught her breath. “Please do not send Sally away, it was not her fault. I should not have opened the door.” Sally is the only friend and comfort I have. I cannot allow the earl to send her away. Allow? As if I have the power to allow anything…

  The earl leaned forward on his cane as if to emphasize his words. “If you ever talk to Ashton again, I shall dismiss the girl immediately.”

  Relief swamped her. “Yes, my lord.”

  He left the room. Kassie waited until the sitting room door slammed shut before retrieving the book from her lap. She read with every intention of concentrating on the words, however her wayward thoughts wandered back to the comté. The man is handsome and kind. He treats me with respect. I wish the earl was more like him. Why does my husband dislike me so much? He treats me like a small, naughty child. Perhaps the earl’s attitude toward me will change once I bear him a child…

  Sally entered the bedchamber, her expression somber. “Thank you, my lady.”

  “You are welcome, Sally.” Kassie closed her book and set it on the bedside table. “I am so stiff from lying about all day. I wish I could go for a walk.”

  “His lordship will be engaged in a card game on the upper deck for a few hours yet. We could sneak out for a stroll and he would be none the wiser,” she said with a mischievous gleam in her eye while pulling Kassie’s blue cloak out of the wardrobe.

  “I do not know, Sally, my husband will be furious if he finds out I disobeyed him. He is already angry with me.” A wistful sigh escaped her. A walk would be lovely.

  The maid handed her the cloak. “We will stay on the main deck and take a quick walk around. We will be back in your room in ten minutes, I promise.”

  Kassie slid from the bed. “All right.” With a conspiratorial grin she allowed the maid to help her dress in a warm wool day dress, matching slippers, and cloak.

  When she was ready, Sally opened the sitting room door and peered into the passage way before she beckoned to Kassie. Together they slipped out the door and hurried down the deserted corridor, past the stairs to the upper level, and onto the open deck.

  Kassie took a deep breath of cool sea air and tilted her head back to look up at the heavens.The sky was pin-cushioned with what seemed like millions of miniscule glittering lights. “Have you ever seen so many stars, Sally?”

  “No.” Sally’s breathless whisper mirrored Kassie’s own awe.

  They linked arms as they strolled along the deck. The moon lit a wide white smear across the sea. They stopped by the ship’s rail to watch the waves as they glistened and undulated in the moonlight.

  “I see you are feeling better.”

  Kassie spun around to find the comté standing behind them. “You startled me!”

  “Then I do apologize, it was not my intention.” Taking her
hand in his, he lifted it, turned it over, and placed a kiss on her palm.

  Kassie shivered, her fingers tingling at his touch. When he straightened she pulled her hand from his and turned away to put a little distance between him and her pounding heart. “I have to go.”

  The comté stepped in front of her, blocking her path. “Have I done something to offend you?”

  Kassie darted a glance around the deck, afraid someone might see and tell the earl. “No. I have to go. I should not be here with you.”

  “You are perfectly safe with me. With your maid in attendance there is no shame in talking,” he consoled her.

  “I am not entirely sure of that,” Kassie mumbled.

  Ashton laughed. “Ah, I see you have heard of my reputation as an incorrigible rake. I assure you it is all embellishments on behalf of a few spurned ladies and their jealous suitors.”

  “I must go,” Kassie insisted. “My husband will be angry with me for being out here talking with you. He forbade it.”

  “I see.” His face sobered as he contemplated her. “At least allow me to escort you the rest of the way around the ship. The earl is engaged in a lively card game at the moment so I am sure he will not notice your absence for a while longer.”

  “No, really, I must go. I do not want to incur my husband’s wrath.”

  He frowned at her, the concern in his eyes easy for her to read. “Will Lord Everton beat you for disobeying?”

  “No.” Kassie could not help wondering if perhaps a beating would be better than being locked away for disobedience. She shuddered.

  He gave her a winning smile. “Then what harm is there in a quick stroll?”

  Relenting, she took his offered arm. Sally hurried ahead at a respectful distance as they strolled along in silence. Kassie inhaled the fresh sea air, trying to ignore the warmth of the comté’s arm under her hand, his spicy sent filling her nostrils. Where have I smelled that fragrance before? Perhaps at the Earl’s dinner party… Her heart thumped so hard against her ribs she was certain he could detect it over the soft swish of the waves.