* * *
Libby arrived back at the cabin and found Georgie waiting outside her door. She gave her the abbreviated version of the events with the climbing incident as they stepped inside.
‘I wondered what took you so long. I thought it might have been a heart-to-heart with Daniel,’ Georgie said as she leaned against the bathroom door.
Libby was in the tiny space, washing her hands, and shook her head. ‘Not interested. That time has passed. He’s had years to reach out and explain what happened and he didn’t. I’m done wanting to know.’
‘Good for you. There’s plenty of fish in the sea and the Caribbean is the perfect place to go fishing. Speaking of that, how about we step out and have a quick look around the yacht? I’ve done all the prep in the galley for tonight’s dinner, which is a seafood buffet, and I’ve left it with the other two crew members who can manage for the next hour or so. I’ll head back and put the finishing touches to it and make the dessert later. We can find somewhere to sit and enjoy a little sun. Walter wouldn’t mind at all. Believe me, if he’s fed well—and he will be—then all will be well in the world.’
‘I’m not really in the mood, but you go,’ Libby replied, deep in thought as she made her way to her still unpacked suitcase for a clean top. She had noticed a few tiny spots of blood on the one she was wearing. ‘I don’t want to ruin your fun.’
Socialising was the last thing on her mind. She felt like a prisoner in a glamorous floating penitentiary and wondered how she would stay sane for the next few days. No matter what she’d said to Georgie, in her heart it wasn’t over and she found her mind wandering to thoughts of him and their time together...and to the son they shared.
The brief time tending to Natalie together had made it all so real again. Everything that she had struggled to forget was returning as vividly as the day it had happened. The good, the wonderful, the exciting, all of it, along with the heartache and the confusion. It was overwhelming her.
Without thinking, she reached for her pendant. Her every reason for living was her son and she was not yet ready to share that secret with Daniel. He was a man who could sweep her off her feet, make her feel like she was so special and then disappear overnight without an explanation. Daniel was a brilliant doctor but Billy deserved more than that. He deserved stability and a loving father who would not disappear on an unexplained whim.
There was also the niggling question of whether, upon learning he was a father, Daniel might demand shared custody and Libby had no idea where Daniel lived. That was something that Libby had neither the funds nor the emotional strength to fight. She just needed time to decide whether Billy would be better off with Daniel in his life and, if so, when she would tell him.
There was much that Daniel would have to explain and prove for her to make such a huge decision and she worried that seven days and nights might not be a long enough time. Libby felt certain that if it wasn’t for them being on the ship together, he would not have given her another thought.
She just wished she felt the same.
‘You can’t turn into a hermit because of Daniel,’ Georgie said firmly. ‘We’ve known each other since we were sixteen and you haven’t changed. You’re so sweet and lovely and I don’t want to see you lock yourself away because of him.’
‘That’s not the reason...’
‘Libby.’ Georgie looked at her friend. ‘That’s a porky pie and we both know it.’
Libby frowned in Georgie’s direction with no clue what her friend was talking about.
‘A porky pie is a lie,’ she continued, without Libby responding. It was a lie. Daniel was the reason for her simmering anxiety and her lack of enthusiasm about everything, except getting off the ship. Disembarking the Coral Contessa was the one thing she was looking forward to very much but she knew something had to be resolved one way or the other before she did.
‘Libby, I didn’t mean to be rude or forward in any way. I just meant that you’re making up an excuse not to get out and about because of whatever happened between you and Daniel. But locking yourself in the cabin won’t change anything. All it will do is waste the experience of your first time on a yacht.’
‘Maybe I’m making an excuse but it’s complicated, Georgie, and...to be honest, I guess I’m still in shock. I never thought I’d see him again in my life.’
‘Your fainting made it very clear that even hearing his name was a huge surprise and not a pleasant one. It’s always complicated when men are involved. They generally manage to make a complete mess of things most of the time.’
‘More than you know.’
‘I guessed it didn’t end well and, again, I’m not prying. You can share as much or as little as you want with me, but I’m going to share some things I know about the man.’
‘Things you know about him? What things?’
‘Daniel is handsome and could have pretty much any woman he wanted within ten miles of the ship but from what I’ve heard from the other crew members he’s single and has never become involved with anyone he works with and that’s not because there haven’t been offers. Passengers and crew alike literally throw themselves at him, but he keeps his distance.’
‘How do you know this?’
‘Ships’ doctors don’t exist in huge numbers, and Stacey and one of my galley crew have worked with him before on larger cruise ships. It’s a tight-knit community and someone as handsome and eligible as Daniel is fodder for gossip. Only there isn’t any about him. He’s the ultimate elusive bachelor and a gentleman. His liaisons, and there will be some, no doubt, must be fleeting and kept ashore and discreet with no drama. He’s never married and he’s quite private about his personal life and his family, if he has any, but he’s an amazing doctor and a good and fair colleague. That’s it.’
‘That’s a lot of background,’ Libby said, still uneasy about how quickly the crew of the Coral Contessa had updated Georgie about Daniel. All the more reason to keep her secret safe. That would no doubt spread like wildfire and she didn’t need that. Her anxiety was suddenly on the rise again.
‘He’s squeaky clean and that makes him even more desirable...and almost a celebrity. There are a lot of Latin lovers at sea, but he’s not one of them.’
‘No offence, Georgie, but I don’t think I want to hear any more. I’m not ready to hear wonderful character references about my ex,’ Libby said as she sat down on the bunk and slumped back against her pillows.
‘I don’t know how to make you feel better about the situation, Libby. I told you what I know so you can feel better about yourself. By your reaction you were clearly in love with the man and I wanted you to know, whatever happened, he’s a decent man so your instincts when you fell for him were right.’
Libby closed her eyes and wished she could open them and find herself in her own bed in her own house and not staring at the lower deck of a yacht about to sail through the Caribbean. She should have paid more attention to her initial doubts about the trip and fought harder not to be sent on an adventure at sea. The reality was closer to a disaster.
‘I know your intentions are good and I appreciate what you’re trying to do but I don’t trust my instincts about much right now.’
‘Then trust mine,’ Georgie said as she stepped closer again. ‘You can’t change anything except yourself into a swimsuit. Let’s get some sun while we can. There’s another few hours before Sir Walter’s guests claim the sundecks for their own.’
‘Like I said, you go. I’d rather stay here and call home.’
‘Call home while I slip into my swimsuit and then we’ll go for a walk at least. Wallowing inside your cabin won’t change anything. The sun at least has a chance to change your mood and lift your spirits, so let’s give it a chance. We need to relax with a fruit cocktail, non-alcoholic of course since we’re working, but maybe later tonight we can switch it up for a champagne. It’s not often you find yours
elf at sea with your absolute best friend who you haven’t seen in over a decade.’
CHAPTER SIX
‘ISN’T THE SUN GLORIOUS?’ Georgie asked her reluctant companion. ‘The view’s stunning and we haven’t even set sail yet. I think we’re going to have a lovely time.’
‘Mmm,’ Libby responded, staring straight ahead as the two strolled around the deck. She had called home and spoken to Billy and her mother and everything was fine. Billy was about to have lunch and then help his grandfather build a big red racing-car bed. Her parents were spoiling their grandson and he was clearly so excited about sleeping in a racing car that night that he didn’t have too much time to talk to her. Knowing that Billy was happy and not missing her was a relief.
She had changed into white shorts and a navy striped T-shirt. Georgie was in a pink and green floral bathing suit but Libby had no intention of baring that much skin. Knowing that Daniel was on board was making her self-conscious, not to mention that Bradley had packed the skimpiest of bikinis in her suitcase.
The crew were busily preparing for the final passengers yet to arrive and tending to the needs of those already on board. Sir Walter was the most important passenger and he was yet to arrive. Libby had not seen him since he had been discharged from hospital a week after his surgery and she was genuinely looking forward to seeing him again. If only it were under different circumstances.
‘I’ll take “mmm” for the moment but by tomorrow I’ll be looking for a smidgen more enthusiasm.’
‘That might be my limit, I’m sorry,’ Libby said as she drew breath, unable to forget for even an instant that Daniel was at any time only a deck away from her. The thought of him was making her heart and her body react in ways that made her very uneasy. It was the most confused she had been in four years.
Georgie returned a half-smile and Libby suddenly felt pangs of guilt. Her behaviour was less than gracious after Georgie’s earlier excitement to see her and the support she had shown when she’d needed it most. Libby knew she needed to lighten up. She had agreed, albeit reluctantly and under duress, to be on board for the next seven days...or six and a half, she told herself as the first day was almost half-gone.
‘I’m sorry, let’s walk around and find a seat in the sun. You’re right, it will be lovely.’
* * *
After just over an hour of Miami sunshine, incessant chatter and a delicious pineapple smoothie each, Georgie excused herself to return to galley duties. Libby was returning to her cabin to change into her uniform when a steward caught up with her.
‘Sir Walter has just boarded and wants to see you.’
‘He’s early. I didn’t think we would see him for another hour and I haven’t changed into my uniform.’
‘He won’t mind, I’m sure,’ he told her as he led the way to their host, who was making himself comfortable on a sun lounger on the deck at the bow of the yacht. He had an entourage of people with him but, as Libby quickly and thankfully noticed, no Daniel.
‘Hello, Nurse Elizabeth. It’s lovely to see you again, my dear. I hope you’re not upset that I kidnapped you for a few days?’
‘Hello, Sir Walter. I’m happy to be here,’ she lied. While lying was not a habit of hers, it was not Sir Walter’s fault that his yacht was the last place on earth she wanted to be. She wanted to appear gracious and not dampen his excitement about the cruise and his daughter’s engagement party. ‘I just want to keep you on your path to a full recovery on this cruise.’ That was not a lie. That was Libby’s sole focus. Daniel was not a focus of hers. Although avoiding him was.
‘We’ll see about that.’ He laughed. ‘You see, I’m going to enjoy what time I have left on earth and not fuss too much with healthy hoo-ha. If I want a beef Wellington with gravy then I shall have one, and I do not like exercise. At all.’
Libby knew she would have her hands full with Sir Walter. It appeared that both men of significance on the Coral Contessa were going to challenge her reserves.
She just needed to dig deep and rise to the occasion.
‘So now we’ve caught up, why don’t you take a look around my little yacht, make sure you know where everything is and I can sit here and catch up with my friends. I’m feeling as fit as a bull and I don’t need you...’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Couldn’t be more sure,’ he told her. ‘And I know you have one of those pager things, so someone will find you, or the doc, if I my ticker starts acting up.’
* * *
Libby left Walter and his group, and took an unaccompanied tour of the yacht. It was magnificent on every one of the four decks, all of which were serviced by a glass elevator. The decor was like that of an Italian hotel from a magazine, with white marble floors, ornate gilded furnishings and a ceiling in the formal dining area that was reminiscent of the Sistine Chapel.
As she passed one of the two oversized columns near the bar, a steward pushed on a small panel and to Libby’s surprise the entire column opened and she saw it was filled with shelves of polished crystal glasses and decanters. Opulence was the word that came to mind everywhere she looked. She’d had no idea what a yacht of that much splendour would be worth but she knew she couldn’t earn enough in a million lifetimes to buy one. Libby looked around, knowing she had something far more valuable in her life. Something money could never buy. She had her son.
After roaming for a little while longer and stumbling across the room towards the bow of the yacht, which housed a speedboat and two jet-skis, Libby thought she had seen enough. A boat on a yacht was too much for her so she made her way to her cabin to shower and change into one of the uniforms that had been hanging in the wardrobe. She pulled her slightly damp hair into a low bun at the nape of her neck and checked her appearance in the mirror on the back of her cabin door. Libby was very conscious that she wanted to appear professional and there to do her job.
It was a message she wanted to send to everyone. Including Daniel.
* * *
Libby returned to find Walter with a lit cigar in one hand and a short crystal glass of what she felt certain was whiskey over ice in the other hand. She could not mask being upset to see him smoking and drinking. She was disappointed and angry in equal amounts and suspected that was why he had sent her on a sightseeing trip around the yacht. He was completely disregarding everything he had been told in hospital before and after his bypass surgery.
He had been warned that smoking could increase his chance of blood clots and he risked a serious chest infection along with a slower healing process. It was behaviour far more dangerous than consuming a beef Wellington and she intended to tell him exactly what she thought.
‘Sir Walter—’ she began as she drew near, her voice not masking her distress at the situation.
‘Walter, remember, I want you to call me Walter,’ he returned with a laugh under the wide-brimmed hat he was now wearing.
‘Fine, I will call you Walter and in return I want you to put that cigar and that drink down now. You cannot be smoking or drinking after your heart surgery.’
Walter stared back at her in silence. Libby didn’t care if he fired her. In fact, that would be a blessing but it wasn’t her motivation in telling him off. Keeping Walter alive and assisting him back to good health was all she cared about.
‘I’m going to be blunt,’ she said, staring into his eyes. ‘What you’re doing is reckless behaviour and you know it. You’re barely five weeks out from major surgery that saved your life and you’re sailing around the Caribbean, smoking and drinking and acting like a teenager. You’ve contracted me to be on board as your nurse and what I’m seeing is, well...silly behaviour on your part. I’m not going to stand around and pretend it’s all right. I just won’t. The walls of your arteries were lined with fatty plaque caused by a diet high in animal fats, refined sugar, smoking, inactivity and excessive alcohol. And you’re indulging in all of that again!’
<
br /> Libby lifted her chin defiantly as Walter looked back at her, taking his time to reply. It was as if each was staring the other down, not unlike the prelude to a gunfight.
‘I am neither silly nor reckless in spending what time I have left sailing, young lady. This yacht and the Caribbean are the closest I get to being with my beloved late wife, Contessa. She was the love of my life and if I go, it will be while I feel close to her. I told her as much when I held her hand as she died and I know she will hold mine in the bow of this yacht if I die on it.’
Libby was taken aback at the emotion in his voice, the sentiment in his words and the tears forming in the corners of his weary eyes. She softened her tone but kept resolute in her message. ‘I do understand what you’re saying and how you’re feeling, Walter, but you don’t have to die anytime soon. You can sail as much as you like and feel close to your beloved wife for many years to come but you must stop smoking and drinking heavy liquor.’
‘Well, maybe I don’t want to live a great many years,’ he retorted, turning away from her. ‘Maybe I’m lonely and tired and I want to enjoy what little time I have left, and if I hasten the end, then so be it.’
‘Please forgive me for saying this, but I think that’s being quite disrespectful.’
‘Disrespectful? And to whom am I being disrespectful?’ His head turned back to Libby, his eyes wide and his lips cutting a thin line in his clearly irritated face.
‘To the doctors and theatre nurses who saved your life.’
‘They’re paid to do that. It’s their job, just like it’s your job to take care of me for the next week so I make it to my niece’s engagement. Not that I completely approve of her fiancé but nonetheless you and the doc will keep me alive to see that day.’
‘And what about the day after?’ Libby said, taking the empty seat beside him. One of the family entourage had quickly moved away when the polite but somewhat heated discussion had erupted. ‘What about living to see her children, your great-nieces and -nephews? To bounce them on your knee and look into their gorgeous cherub faces. Don’t you want to live to do that?’
Reunited with Her Secret Prince Page 7