“I doubt it,” Rose said. “This boat can restock almost daily since it makes so many stops.” She shifted closer to the door. “Daisy knows she isn’t supposed to wander about the ship. The captain was clear and I’ve a mind to keep him happy. We don’t want—” She stopped, a loud knock echoing through the tiny room.
“Yes?” she called, her hand lifting for the lock.
“It’s Captain MacFarland. Open the door, please.”
Dread made her arms heavy and fingers numb as she fumbled to open the latch. She didn’t have to ask to know something had gone awry with Daisy. Rose loved her sister, but Daisy had a penchant for trouble.
The door finally gave and swung in, forcing Rose to step back. Captain MacFarland stood with his fingers wrapped lightly about Daisy’s upper arm.
“Daisy?” Rose asked, her eyes pinging from the captain’s irritated glare to Daisy’s guilty façade.
“She was caught attempting to steal.”
Captain MacFarland’s voice was low and deep making her shake with an emotion she could only assume was fear. “I’m so sorry, Captain.” Unlike him, her voice shook.
He dropped Daisy’s arm. “There will be a guard outside the door.” He gave Daisy a pointed look. “Yer sister and I are going to have a chat.”
Rose swallowed down the lump of dread that had risen in her throat as Daisy moved around her, into the room. “I’m sorry,” Daisy whispered. “Please forgive me.”
“What did you take?” Rose asked in response, grabbing both her sister’s arms.
“A pistol,” the captain answered, and sick realization washed over Rose. Daisy had done it to protect them, of course. She’d said as much. But in doing so, she might have just ruined them.
Dropping her hands, she turned toward the door and stepped through it, noticing an older man standing behind the captain.
“Shamus,” Captain MacFarland said as he closed the door again. “See that our guests stay in the cabin.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Captain MacFarland offered his arm. “Shall we?”
Rose blinked. His manners were in stark contrast to a man who was about to toss her bodily from his boat and she relaxed, just a bit. “Yes. Thank you.” Rose laced her fingers through his arm, and tingling spread all through her body. How could she be attracted to him even now?
Neither spoke as he led her up the shipman’s ladder and to the captain’s quarters. He opened the door and gestured for her to go through, then he followed.
She’d been here already, of course, but not with the captain. It was somehow different to see him in the space, to watch him move about with familiarity.
He straightened the pen on the desk, rearranged the pile of maps, then took a seat, offering her the other chair. She too sat, spreading her skirts so they wouldn’t crease.
“Theft on a boat is a serious transgression,” he said, narrowing his eyes when he looked at her.
She nodded, clasping her hands together.
He drew in a long breath. “Most men are severely punished fer such a crime and it puts me in a difficult situation. On the one hand, ye’re not men. On the other, I can’t have the ranks getting restless. We operate on trust and efficiency.”
She could see that about him. In the space that surrounded him. “I understand.” She gripped her fingers more tightly together. “If you could see fit to keep us on the boat, I swear I won’t let her leave the cabin again. She meant well. I’m certain of it. She was worried for our safety and—”
“I’m aware. She said as much. She also said that you were attacked by the man you were to marry. Is that true?” He leaned closer.
Tears stung at her eyes. She straightened, attempting to will them away. They weren’t helpful. But somehow, him knowing what had happened to her, was more than she could bear. “Yes,” she said, not wanting to elaborate. Somehow, she wanted him, of all men, to see her as pretty and not scarred.
“Tell me.” And then he reached for her hand, slipping his large fingers around hers.
She drew in a ragged breath. “There isn’t much to tell. Our distant cousin took over the title. He asked for my hand. I accepted.”
“Did ye care fer him?” Captain MacFarland asked.
There was a strange note to his voice that sounded a bit like jealousy. “No.” She shook her head. “But the match would secure my sisters’ futures. I would do far worse to see them safe.” That was the truth. “But he wanted liberties before the wedding. I wasn’t prepared for his advances, I resisted and—” She looked at the wall, not wanting to continue. Why were they even discussing this? Weren’t they supposed to be talking about Daisy?
“And then what happened?” His voice was soft, quiet, but iron lined his words.
She swallowed and then swallowed again. “Don’t make me tell you.” She tightened her fingers on his. She didn’t want to say it and she needed to get control. She hadn’t talked with anyone about what had happened, not even her sisters. They knew, of course, but she’d not verbalized the experience.
“Ye can tell me, Rose. I’ll only help ye, I swear.”
She trusted him in that. From the first moment they’d met him, he’d been nothing but honest and honorable. “There isn’t much to tell. He f-f-forced me.” Had she just stuttered? She closed her eyes. “To his desk and bent me over.” She licked her lips, reluctant to go on. “And then he was pushing up my skirts.”
“And then?”
There it was again. His voice so deadly quiet. He was calm for her, but she sensed a storm under the surface. “Daisy stumbled upon us and used a full chamber pot to bash him in the head.”
“What?” He grabbed her other hand, pulling them both toward his chest.
“Knocked him out cold.” She opened her eyes. “When he woke up, he chased us out. I’d already gone through the house and collected all the money I could, jewels, and personal affects. We’d packed bags. He tossed us out, and in that moment, I felt lucky for it. I’d debated running before he woke.” To her complete amazement, telling him that story, lifted some of the ache in her chest.
He squeezed her fingers in his and then lifted one of their joined hands using the back of his to brush her cheek. “You were very brave. You should be proud.”
The words rattled in her chest, filling in ways she’d never expected. How had he known she’d needed to hear that? Quite without meaning too, she turned her head, pressing her lips to the back of his hand. His rough skin tickled her lips in the most pleasant way.
He let out a low note from deep in his throat and she quickly let go of his hands. What had she just done?
* * *
Bloody hell and fecking bullocks, had the woman just kissed him? If she hadn’t just told the story she had, he’d pull her into his lap and kiss her properly.
Two days of eating well, and the color had returned to her cheeks. She looked even more beautiful now than she had when he’d met her. And she was in trouble, hurt even. Everything inside of him wanted to wrap her in a cocoon of protection. His arms would do nicely for the job.
“My apologies, Captain,” she breathed out. “I wasn’t trying to…” Her voice stalled as her hands fluttered. “I only wanted to express my gratitude for listening. Telling you somehow made me feel better.”
“Rose.” Her name tasted so sweet on his lips. “Please relax. I am not angry. It’s only that ye’re a very beautiful woman.”
She stopped then, dropping her hands to her lap. “Captain. Are you married?”
He thumped back in his chair. He’d just made a terrible error in judgment. Never tell a woman how attractive she is to ye, it’s too dangerous. “No. And I’ve no intention of participating in the union.”
Her brow furrowed. “Why?”
“It’s none of—” This time, she leaned forward, taking his hands. The brush of her fingers made every muscle in his abdomen clench.
“I answered you honestly.”
He sighed, her words ringing true. “I’m gone a
lmost all the time. It hardly seems fair to a wife.” He left out that he’d learned the lesson multiple times.
She licked her lips again, drawing his attention to the plump skin of her mouth. “But don’t you wish to have a family? Children to carry on your name?”
The simple answer was yes, he did want that and more. “Life is rarely that simple.”
She nodded. “True.” Then she stood, still holding his hands. “I’d like to make you a proposition.”
His mind screamed no. This was a bad idea. He knew where she was going with this conversation and he didn’t want any part of it. But his body took over and without meaning to, he drew her closer. “What is it?” When had his voice gotten so rough?
“You find me physically pleasing. I find you…” She paused. “To have the traits I would want in a husband.” She bent down a bit so that her face was rather close to his. “You need a wife who will be understanding about travel, I need a roof over my head and I must protect my sisters.”
She was offering herself to him. It was the least romantic proposal he’d ever imagined and yet, he tensed with the thought of making her his woman. “An arrangement of need?” He should say no. She said she wanted this now but he knew how this story ended. Then again, both his mother and father and his relationship with Abigail had hinged on romantic feelings. Was she right? Was this the solution he’d been searching for? A family of his own without the risk of a broken heart?
“Exactly,” she answered and then she leaned in and kissed his cheek, pressing her face to his.
He closed his eyes as sensation washed over him. Her smell, the scent of both his own soap and her unique fragrance, that was feminine yet earthy. The combination tugged at his desire. He wanted their scents mixed.
Then there was the feel of her skin. So much more delicate than his, the touch of her soft supple lips and the tickle of a piece of her hair that had escaped from her coif. “Ye would provide me with a family?” He was weak. Always had been when it came to creatures in need. Fiona knew it and Rose did too.
The problem with that was that every time he succumbed to that weakness, he suffered serious consequences. His mother’s death, Abigail’s change of heart. Hell, even the cats had rebelled when he’d saved them. What would they be this time? Did he care? He couldn’t think straight. Now when the feel of her was overwhelming his senses.
“Of course,” she replied, her cheek brushing his in a butterfly touch that was more erotic than any other he’d experienced. “We’ll provide for each other as all husbands and wives do.”
He needed room to breathe, think. Gently, he guided her a step back and stood, intent upon moving away. But she tilted her chin, her large blue eyes looking up at his even as her lips parted.
He found himself dipping his head lower. He didn’t want to kiss her. Well, he desperately wanted to kiss her but he’d determined not too and so instead, his lips brushed her forehead and then her temple. He raised one hand to cup her cheek and she leaned into his palm rubbing into his touch.
Without quite meaning to, he angled her jaw so that he could press his lips to hers. As they met, a fissure of energy passed through him. He pulled back then, realizing what he’d done. A kiss all but sealed a pact. “Rose,” he said her name, as though she’d provide the answer.
“Just think on it,” she whispered, her lips petal pink and dew covered. Then she let go of his hands, turned, and fled. He was left standing there remembering the sway of her hips as she’d moved to the door. What did he do now?
Chapter Five
Rose picked up speed as she crossed the deck. What had she just done? She blamed Daisy. Not only had she forced the confrontation with her theft, she’d put these thoughts in Rose’s head to begin with.
Rose skidded to stop just above the hatch. Daisy. She’d never even talked to Colin about Daisy and what her silly sister had done.
She bit her lip as she turned back toward the captain’s quarters. Did she go back? Did she leave it be and hoped he’d forgotten all about Daisy after what Rose had just done?
His door swung open and he ducked under it, stepping back out on deck. He pointed at her. “Rose,” he called loud enough that it seemed all activity on deck stopped. “Come back here please. We’ve more to discuss.”
Drat. She only hesitated for a moment before she crossed back over to him walking toward him far more slowly than when she’d been dashing away. “I thought we’d ended at the perfect place.”
He quirked a small smile then. “Did ye?”
He was always handsome, but when he smiled like that, he took her breath away. “Have you already come to a decision about my proposal?”
One eyebrow went up. “Was that what that was? A proposal?”
Her breath caught in her chest. “What did you think it was?”
“A negotiation,” he answered. “Ye’ve got a future in business.”
Despite herself, the corners of her lips tugged up and a little giggle escaped her lips. “That might be the nicest thing anyone’s ever said about me. Thank you.”
His eyes twinkled. “Ye’re welcome.” Then he reached for her waist. “What we’ve yet to discuss is yer rather violent sister.”
Rose shifted uncomfortably but he brought his hand to her waist, stilling her movement. “Lily?” she asked, attempting to avoid the conversation.
He guided her back inside his cabin. “Ye know I mean Daisy.”
“A girl’s got to try.”
He chuckled, his hand sliding around to the small of her back. “Ye could kiss me again so that I forget all about it.”
Interesting. She tilted her chin up to look at him, excitement racing through her veins. “The idea has merit.”
His other hand brushed her chin and she stepped closer. “Ye’re not afraid of me? After what happened in yer past?”
This close to him, she wasn’t afraid of anything, not even Michael. “No. I don’t know how to explain it but when I’m with you, I feel safer than I have for a long time.” Then she lifted up onto her tiptoes.
Bending down, he pressed his lips to hers in another gentle kiss. He did it again and then again, each time the touch growing longer, more intimate but remaining achingly sweet. When his fingers trailed down her neck, she gave a shiver of delight.
“Shamus will tell everyone he was mistaken and Daisy had my permission to be in the sleeping quarters. Then he’ll teach her to shoot. But I am counting on ye to keep her in the room with the exception of her daily firing lessons.”
“Thank you, Captain,” she breathed even as she tossed her arms about his neck and kissed him again. This wasn’t the gentle brush but a much firmer press and when she pulled back she saw his eyes darken. Her breath caught in response.
“Call me Colin when we’re alone.”
“Colin.” She tested the name on her tongue. “Thank you, Colin.” Somehow it seemed a good sign that he’d given her his Christian name.
“I’ll walk ye back to yer cabin,” he said, gripping her waist. “Tomorrow we’ll be around Wales and will hopefully stop in Blackpool fer the night. I’ll take ye and yer sisters off the ship to allow ye to stretch yer legs. We’ll go to a tavern fer dinner. A real one.”
Happiness like she hadn’t felt in ages made her cheeks flush with heat. “That sounds lovely. Thank you, Colin.” Then she put a hand on his chest. “I know I made you a businesslike proposal, but I truly feel that we are well-suited to one another. Do you think so too?”
He didn’t answer, his face darkening as he pulled away. “I couldn’t say yet, it’s too soon to tell,” he said as he pulled open the door.
Rose wasn’t sure why he was upset but he most certainly was. What had she said that was so wrong?
* * *
Colin escorted Rose below deck, then had a quick conversation with Shamus. To his surprise the man was more amenable to keeping the theft under wraps than Colin had ever imagined. “Ye don’t object?”
“I don’t.” Shamus straightened.
“Ye know I’ve got two daughters. When I take leave next, I’m teaching them how to shoot. The thought of some man taking advantage like that…” The old sailor cracked his knuckles. “And I like that girl’s spirit.”
Colin nodded, glad to see one problem averted. Though he suspected this wasn’t the last Daisy mess he’d clean up. Her strength had likely carried the sisters through, but it was also a problem for certain.
With a groan of frustration, he returned to his cabin with a much larger issue weighing on his thoughts. Rose. The problem was he desperately wanted to accept her offer. And she was right. Attraction sizzled between them and a bond was already forming. That would not do for him at all. He could neither watch her walk away like Abigail nor fade away as his mother had done. After reaching his cabin, he untied his neck cloth. But to say no was to toss her to the fates and he wasn’t certain he could do that either.
He tossed himself into his desk chair and scrubbed his face. At least with their union he could rationalize to himself and to her that he’d still made her life better. She’d be warm, fed, safe. But the truth was, she should be married to a lord, a duke or a marquess. Delicate beauty, grace, and warm, demure personality—she had all the markings of true nobility.
If he were a better man, he’d help her secure the future she deserved instead of stealing her for himself.
The boat rolled over a larger wave and his head perked up. The seas had been calm for the past few days. Another large roller rocked the boat and he stood, returning to the deck. Rigging was snapping, and sails turning as the sailors hustled across the rigging.
“Look over there,” Shamus called. “A storm’s blowing in fast.”
Colin grimaced. Indeed it was. “We might have time to make it to a harbor.” He pointed toward the east. “We’re less than an hour from Brookshire Bay.”
Shamus nodded. “It’s as good a plan.” He shuffled off to tell the first mate.
Colin trotted over to the wheel. Fortunately, the wind and the waves would aid them into the shore.
A Highlander to Have and to Hold: Brides of Scotland Page 3