“No. I felt confident I would not.” She tidied the bedding and fluffed up his pillow as if she needed to do something other than talk with him. “I spent much of my childhood on boats and private yachts. I have never been ill while onboard.”
“I didn’t know.”
She arched one blond brow. The ire was back. “Did you even care?”
“Of course I care.” What the devil was she so livid about? It had to be something other than him going out and not sending word. “You are my wife. Why would I not wish to know?”
“Ah, yes.” Sarcasm infused her tone. “I am your extremely qualified wife.” Striding to the door she opened it. “I shall send Nettle to you.”
“Elizabeth,” he called out. If he could just keep her talking he might discover why she was so upset.
Halfway out the door she stopped. “Do you wish for something, husband?”
Yes. Tell me why you are so furious with me. Yet, he didn’t say it. “No. I wanted to thank you for nursing me.”
“You are welcome.” She swept out of the cabin, and he was left alone again with his own thoughts.
Somehow he had to bring her around.
He wondered why she had mentioned how well qualified she was. He had always thought so. In fact, he’d made sure of it. His wife would have responsibilities and she should know how to handle them. Elizabeth was actually even more well suited to her position than he had known.
Still, there was something about the way she had said it. As if she was unhappy about her qualifications. Why would that be when he was delighted with her? Clearly, something else was wrong. If only he knew what it was, he would make it better, give her anything she wanted.
Before long, Nettle entered the room looking as well groomed as always—which for some reason irritated Geoff—carrying a large ewer. “The captain says we’ll reach the port in about an hour.” His valet poured water from the ewer into a bowl set in a wooden stand. “Her ladyship says that if you can sit up, wash, and be shaved, you may leave your bed. But if you are feeling like you are getting sick again you are to lie right back down.”
Geoff wondered if he should pretend to be ill just so she would return to their cabin. He sat up. “I’ll brush my teeth first.”
An hour later, Geoff sat on the bed as he wound his cravat around his neck. So far, so good, and he’d be on dry land soon. One day in Ostend to recover from the crossing, and they would continue on their journey.
The last letter he’d received stated that Sir Charles wanted Geoff to come to him in Brussels. The question was if those instructions were still valid, or would Geoff be sent to The Hague, or Brussels, or some other place. It would behoove him to send a messenger and ask.
No matter where he was assigned, his father had arranged for houses in Ghent—because the French king was there, The Hague—which he did not understand at all—and Brussels where it seemed everything of import was taking place.
His only real concern was that he might be called upon to ride ahead. Thus far, Elizabeth had proven herself to be equal to anything, but he would not like leaving her alone to manage in a strange country.
Well, there was no point worrying about what might happen when he should be applying himself to what was happening, or rather not happening with his wife.
Who, it appeared, was once more avoiding him. Geoff stood slowly; fortunately, he still felt fine. He made his way along the corridor to the companionway and onto the deck. The crew was busy lowering some of the sails. When he glanced toward the bow, he could see the town of Ostend.
To the front and sides of him, sailing vessels crowded the harbor.
“We’re getting ready to anchor,” Mr. Benchley, the ship’s master said.
“I didn’t expect to see so many ships.”
“More than usual. It will be the same in Antwerp. If it doesn’t go well for us, there will be a lot of people trying to get back to England.”
For the first time, a spike of fear for Elizabeth speared Geoff’s chest. Sir Charles had not brought his wife, Lady Elizabeth, but Geoff had never even thought to leave his wife in England. Perhaps he was being selfish wanting Elizabeth by his side. He could offer to send her back, but with matters so unsettled between them, the rift might grow. Was that selfish of him as well? If her life was at risk here . . . He should allow her to decide.
“Will you remain in Ostend for the nonce?”
“I expect we will.” The master glanced at Geoff. “Lady Harrington is welcome to sail with us anytime she’d like. We wouldn’t have been able to nurse everyone who got sick if it hadn’t been for her.” He wondered what exactly she had done, but did not want to betray their problems by asking. He needn’t have worried. Benchley was happy to talk about it. “You were ill yourself, so you might not know. She not only had your servants, the ones who were not feeling poorly, help with the soldiers, but I don’t think there is any ginger left in Harwich in any form, so much did she bring aboard. She even helped nurse the others herself until you needed her. We’re grateful for her assistance.”
“Thank you for telling me.” Geoff was surprised she hadn’t slept longer. Elizabeth must be exhausted. “When I awoke this morning she was more interested in making sure I had recovered, than relating to me what she had done.”
“I had the feeling when I met her she was that type of lady. Doing for others and not bragging about herself. Women like that don’t come around often.”
“No, they don’t.” He thought back to all she had done to prepare for their journey, never once complaining about it. She’d simply taken on the task and done it. He was beginning to think there was nothing Elizabeth could not do. She was definitely more capable than he had thought even a week ago. What other talents did Elizabeth have that Geoff had no idea she possessed? “If we have need of you, where can we send a message?”
