by Amelia Grey
Austin shrugged. "The men on this ship are here because they are the best at what they do, Bradley, just as you're best at what you do."
Bradley looked out over the water thoughtfully for a moment. "If I have any clients left when I return. Two months is a long time to be gone from one's business."
Another stab of guilt hit Austin, but he quickly brushed it aside. He would have taken Bradley back to Winifred and his law practice if he could have. But once he took Bo on board, there was no turning back and no looking back. He hated disrupting so many lives, even his own; and there would be no mercy for him if he were caught. If there had been any other way out of his vow to Jerome Bonaparte, he would have taken it.
"I think I'll go lie down for awhile. If you'll excuse me." Bradley turned and sauntered away.
Bradley's own foolishness had gotten him in this mess. Still, Austin didn't like seeing him so miserable. He didn't like what Winifred and Betsy Patterson would be going through right now either, but sometimes a choice that was right for one ended up hurting another.
Austin faced Chelly again. "You're looking tired. Why don't you let Jubal and Robert look after Bo the rest of the day while you get some sleep?"
"Austin, I'm sorry about my uneasiness last night, but I'm really fine today. I don't want you thinking I can't take care of Bo."
He smiled. "I'm concerned for your well-being. Minding a three-year-old twenty-four hours a day on a ship has to be tiresome. I've seen how you run after him, following him up and down the stairs, seeing to his every need."
She smiled at him. "Thank you for your concern, but that's my job. Really, I'm not tired. If you insist on my joining you for dinner this evening, I'll have to spend the afternoon with Bo."
"All right." He stepped closer to her. "Did you sleep well after I left last night?"
She moistened her lips. Her eyelashes fluttered. "Yes. I felt safe." She took a deep breath and clasped her hands together in front of her.
Austin wanted to be alone with her, to talk to her. "I had the taste of you on my lips all night."
Chelly swallowed hard. So had the taste of him on her lips. "I shouldn't have kissed you."
"So you regret it?"
Never!
Ignoring his question, she said, "My only excuse is that I needed comfort."
Austin lips lifted in a slight smile. She avoided a straight answer. That was promising. "Comfort. Is that what you thought it was? I was trying to show you the desire I have for you. I hoped it was passion I sensed in you when you responded to my touch."
All the wondrous feelings their kisses had created in her came rushing back to haunt her. Even now she could taste his warm mouth upon hers.
She swallowed and moistened her lips again. "I must admit I don't really know what it was. The storm, the danger I felt—maybe it was just the night. I don't know. I was afraid and being close to you offered safety, comfort, and—"
"Passion."
Their eyes met and held. "That, too."
"Miss Chelly, come over here," Bo called interrupting her sentence. "Come see what I've made."
She swallowed hard again and took a deep breath. Thank God, Bo called her. She was getting in too deep. "If you'll excuse me I must check on my charge."
"I'll see you at six," he reminded her. "In my cabin."
Chapter 10
Chelly's garnet-colored dress swished across her legs as she walked down the companionway toward Austin's cabin. She'd decided the long-sleeved velvet should keep her warm enough without a wrap. In her hair she'd placed a red-jeweled hairpin that had been her sister's. She didn't know if it were vanity or stupidity that made her do a few extra things with her appearance tonight, like the hairpin, pinching her cheeks for color, and the rose water she'd sprinkled on her neck and shoulders before she'd dressed.
She'd worried all afternoon, about dinner with the two Baltimore men. She didn't want to spend time with Bradley because she didn't like him, and she didn't want to spend time with Austin because she did. But what was she to do? Austin had left her no choice concerning the invitation.
Maybe she would make it through the evening if she stayed as quiet as possible. Bradley could certainly keep a conversation going without her. He'd probably be happy if she didn't speak.
She walked into the cabin and saw Austin standing in the far corner of the room, a drink in hand, looking deep in thought. Two lamps fastened to the walls flushed the room in a soft, yellow light. One lamp sat on his desk, the other in the center of a small chest.
Austin was handsomely dressed in a white, ruffled shirt with a dark-gray bow-tied neckcloth. His short jacket had cutaway tails, and his trousers were ankle length. His low-cut shoes were garnished with large, brass buckles, and he'd never looked so handsome.
As if sensing her presence, he looked up. Their eyes met. In that moment she wished Bradley weren't joining them for dinner. She would love to have this man all to herself tonight.
"Chelly, come in." He walked over to her and took her hand and gently kissed it. "You look lovely. That shade of red brings out the green in your eyes."
"Thank you," she answered, breathless from the chill of excitement that ran up her arm and settled in her breasts when his lips grazed the back of her palm.
"Let me pour you a glass of sherry."
"No, thank you," she answered, walking into the dimly lit room. "After working in that tavern, I don't think I'll ever be able to drink spirits again." Chelly looked past Austin to the bookshelf, her gaze immediately going to the large book with the gun, before turning her attention to him. A wash of relief settled over her. It was still there. Maybe Austin had accepted her explanation for being in his office.
"That's understandable." He leaned a hip against his desk and studied her face. "I guess you had your share of drinks poured on you."
She saw compassion in his eyes, and it warmed her. "That and more," she said, remembering all the fanny pats, pinches, and lewd comments she'd endured.
"I'm glad you were only there a week. It's no life for a lady."
"It's not an easy life to be sure." If she continued to look into his eyes, she was afraid he'd read what was on her mind. It was ludicrous, she knew, but no matter how many times she told herself he was a deplorable man, she couldn't stop herself from wanting to be in his embrace once again.
Chelly glanced away from him. Her gaze lighted on the table in the center of the room. Something wasn't right. She looked again. There were only two plates sitting on the table. Each plate held boiled sweet potatoes and shredded chicken with flour dumplings. Small side dishes were filled with cooked figs and pears.
"Bradley won't be joining us. Why don't we go ahead and sit down before the food gets cold?"
A prickle of something akin to delight stole over Chelly. She tried to brush it away, but couldn't while her eyes lingered on his face. "What's wrong with him?"
"Sick, I'm afraid." Austin walked over to the table and pulled out her chair. "He sent word that he couldn't eat a thing and didn't feel he'd be acceptable company for anyone. I hope you don't mind that it will be just the two of us tonight."
Mind? She almost laughed. Hadn't she just been wishing she'd have him all to herself? She wasn't happy Bradley was ill, but she couldn't deny the rush of expectation that surged through her at the thought of being alone with Austin again either.
A short candle burned in the center of the table. The ship rocked gently. The intimate atmosphere was sure to have her thinking of things other than food.
You should leave.
But I want to stay.
No. There's no future for you with him.
I'm only thinking of right now.
You 're losing sight of what kind of man he is.
I can handle it.
Denying all the warnings inside her, Chelly took her seat at the table. She waited until Austin had seated himself before picking up her fork and cutting into her potatoes.
It was silly, outrageous, and appalling bu
t she didn't want to eat. She wanted to look at Austin. She wanted to smile at him, laugh with him. She wanted to lose herself in his company.
"Is Bo settled for the night?" he asked, then put a slice of the tender chicken in his mouth.
"He's dressed and ready for bed, but he won't be going to sleep for a while. Robert is telling him a story about a killer whale that once attacked a ship he was on and almost ate the entire crew for dinner."
Austin laughed. "I remember that story. It was told to me more than fifteen years ago. I've told it myself a few times. The only thing that changes in the story over the years is the young lad's name."
Chelly looked up at him and smiled as she dipped her fork into her dumplings. "Oh, you mean the story he's telling probably isn't true?"
Austin laughed again. "Not if it's about a killer whale. It's a well-worn legend that has been used many times and will be again."
"I had no idea. He seemed to know so much about it, answering all of Bo's questions about the size of the whale and the coloring. I guess he thought it would be a good bedtime story for Bo."
"It will be. He'll have Bo dreaming of heroic feats all night."
The light conversation continued throughout the meal. Chelly enjoyed the banter with Austin. She was glad he hadn't mentioned the storm and her reaction to it, or their passionate embrace. Having admitted she enjoyed the kiss was all she cared to have him know.
The candle had burned low when at last their plates were pushed aside and Austin had finished a couple of his own heroic stories about life at sea. The room grew quiet. Chelly found herself staring into beautiful, gray-green eyes that looked back at her with a questioning clarity. An inner voice told her to take leave, but she stayed.
"What are we going to do about us, Chelly?" Austin finally asked.
Chelly's heartbeat increased. She wasn't sure she wanted to talk about anything as important as what was happening between the two of them, but she wasn't sure she wanted to go, either. Austin had helped kidnap a little boy—something she could never condone, no matter how her body responded to his masculine appeal.
Candlelight threw distorted shadows across the dark paneled walls. The room was cozy and warm. Chelly's feelings for Austin amazed her and confused her. She wished she could understand what drew her to him when she was so opposed to what he was doing. It didn't make sense. She should hate the very sight of him; but instead, she found herself wanting to be with him. Perhaps that was because she hoped in her heart that he hated what he was doing.
She lowered her lashes over her eyes. "Far too many things separate us for there to be anything between us, Austin."
"It doesn't have to be that way."
It did. He didn't know it, but she planned to betray him and take Bo at the first available time. But she'd never turn him over to the authorities. She was sure they would want to know whose ship she and Bo had sailed, but she'd never tell that.
Chelly remained quiet.
Austin rose from his chair and walked over to Chelly. He reached for her hand and helped her to rise. A sense of longing filled her when his hand touched hers. He was warm and she was eager.
Don't let him take you in his arms.
But I want him to.
His embrace will only cause you heartache.
I hurt now from wanting his touch.
This hurt you will get over.
I don't want to get over it. I want to enjoy it.
As Chelly rose to her feet it seemed natural to go directly into his arms and be held against his chest. She felt his warmth against her cheek, heard his heartbeat against her ear, smelled his scent of shaving soap, touched the coarse cotton of his dinner jacket. How could she not respond to what her body craved? This man.
She stood still with her arms around Austin's neck, her cheek pressed to his chest. His breath stirred the hair on top of her head. He held her, but not too tightly, letting her know that he wasn't going to pressure her into anything she didn't want to do.
"You can't deny what's happening between us, Chelly." His voice was low, inviting.
"I'm not trying to deny it. I'm trying to fight it."
"Because of Bo."
Her breathing became erratic. She swallowed hard, not wanting him to say out loud what lay between them. "Yes, but there are other things too. You are a man of great wealth and I have nothing."
With the tips of his fingers he lifted her chin, forcing her to look into his glazed eyes. "Do you think that matters to me? It doesn't. I desire you like I have no other woman. I've wanted you in my arms since that first night I saw you in the tavern."
He brought her up tighter to his chest, pressing her breasts against him.
"I've wanted to kiss you like this."
Austin bent his head and placed his lips on hers in a long, searing, passionate kiss. His tongue sought the warmth of her mouth, sending tingling sensations throughout her body and leaving her breathless.
"I've wanted to touch you like this," he whispered against her pliant lips.
Slowly he ran his hands up and down her back, over her shoulders, down the front of her dress to place his palms against her breasts. He gently squeezed and massaged her firmness beneath the velvet dress. His hand glided over and around each breast with the lightest of pressure, kneading them seductively.
His touch inflamed her, and she yielded to his unspoken command for her to let him love her.
"Chelly, you feel so good. So very good," he said in between delicious, wet kisses. "Can you fight this? Can you fight how I make you feel? Can you fight what you know you do to me?"
Push him away before it's too late.
No, go away!
Remember what happened to your sister when she lost her son.
No.
Remember Bo's tears and cries for his mother.
She squeezed her eyes shut and pushed away from Austin. Sorrow stabbed through her as she whispered, "I have to fight what I'm feeling for you."
"Chelly."
He spoke her name so softly she almost gave in to his seduction.
She looked into the gray-green pool of his eyes and wished she didn't have to say, "I can't give myself to a man I have no respect for. I admit I'm drawn to you. I don't understand it. I don't want it. I don't approve of you, so naturally these feelings I have for you upset me and cause me great distress."
As the blossom of passion faded from his eyes, Austin answered, "I can understand all that. But, Chelly, try to see past the man who's involved in this kidnapping scheme and—"
"I can't!" she interrupted, trying to tell him so much more with her eyes. "I see you and I want to touch you, but I also want to hate you for what you're doing to Bo and his mother. I look at Bo with his rounded cheeks and bright eyes. I hold his little hands and comfort him each night. I know how much he misses his mother, and I know she must be going crazy worrying about him. I can hold him and kiss the top of his head, but I can't make up for the loss of his mother—and neither will his father."
Anger at himself, at Chelly, at Jerome welled up inside Austin, and he took a step away from her. His hands remained still at his side as his eyes drilled into hers. "Aren't you willing to believe there might have been a good reason that forced me to participate in this madness?"
"No. Nothing—nothing would make what you've done acceptable," she answered earnestly, refusing to accept any reason as justifiable.
Austin lowered his hands to his sides and sighed. "Nothing? Obviously, I don't agree with you."
She swallowed past a tight throat, knowing at that moment she'd never make him understand what Bo's mother must be going through. "Obviously."
Chelly turned and walked to the door, but suddenly spun back to face Austin. "I wish things could have been different between us."
"That doesn't help me much right now."
She understood. It didn't do anything to help the way she was feeling either, but maybe it would give her the strength to stay away from him the rest of the journey.
> "Good night, Austin."
Chapter 11
"Land! Land! Land!"
Chelly looked up from the paper where she was teaching Bo to write his name when she heard the loud cry from above the deck. Excitement coursed through her.
"Land," she whispered. For the first time during the entire voyage, her stomach lurched.
After twenty-six days at sea, they would be dropping anchor. The hour had come for her to return to Austin's cabin. Could she do it? Yes, her feelings quickly answered for her mind. She had a seemingly impossible task ahead of her, but she wouldn't back out. She couldn't reunite her sister and her child, but she had a chance of returning Bo to his mother. She couldn't fail. Bo and his mother had no one else to help them. She wouldn't let them down.
"Will I see Mama, now?" Bo asked, looking up from his paper.
She glanced down at him and gently brushed his bangs away from his forehead. She smiled at him and kissed the top of his head. Considering the circumstances, he'd been a brave little boy.
"Not yet, little one." She wanted to add that he'd see his mother soon. But not knowing how long it would take her to escape with him and get back to Baltimore, she decided it was best not to give him any false hope that it would be soon.
Her stomach knotted. She had to focus on her plan. The first thing she needed to do was find out where Austin was. She couldn't wait any longer to go into his quarters and take the pistol and look for enough money to get her and Bo back to Baltimore. Too, she had to prepare herself for a confrontation. Whoever took charge of Bo might not want her to travel with Bo to his father's house. Maybe Bo would help by crying for her if they declined her offer of assistance to stay with him until he settled into his new home.
Chelly heard the shout for land again. She took hold of Bo's hand and said, "Come on. Let's go up on deck. If we're near land, I want to see it, don't you?"