Will stirred, pulling her closer to him. This was an aspect of marriage she already loved.
Marisole crept into the cabin with the wash water.
“Why have we left so early?”
“Weather.” She shrugged. “The captain said he saw the first signs of a storm and wishes to return to St. Thomas immediately.”
Eugénie nodded. They had been fortunate so far this season to only get heavy rains, which filled their cisterns. The gulls had not yet left, so whatever storm was bearing down on them should not be so bad on land. Still, one wouldn’t want to be caught in it out on a ship. “Are we expected in the salon for breakfast?”
A smile dawned on her maid’s face. “No one said anything about you, but Miss . . . Mrs. Grayson was told to be present.”
“Oh dear, that doesn’t sound good. I suppose we’d better be there in support.”
Marisole placed a hand bell on the dressing table. “Ring if you need assistance dressing.”
“I shall.” Eugénie glanced down at William. Was he as good at tying laces as untying them?
He yawned. “What is it?”
Eugénie watched him for a moment, enjoying his tousled hair. His eyes seemed bluer in the morning. “We have a storm approaching, and the captain has already weighed anchor. Also, Mrs. Whitecliff has requested Cicely and Andrew join them in the salon for breakfast. I think we should be there as well.”
William pulled her down to him. “You are such a splendid wife that I have a present for you.”
She grinned as his shaft nudged her. “Do you indeed?”
“Mmm.”
His love-making was slow and tender. A change from yesterday and last night when she thought they would burn to cinders. Eugénie had never felt so loved and cherished. She shuddered. To think that at one point she had actually considered a marriage of convenience.
An hour and three gowns later, she rang for Marisole. William, she had discovered, became much too easily distracted to actually dress her. The farthest he’d got was tying the laces half-way up before the temptation to unlace them overcame him. She’d washed for the fourth time when Marisole knocked, then entered.
“Bonjour, milady.”
“I need to dress quickly so that his lordship can make himself ready as well.”
In under a half hour, Eugénie was coiffed and wearing a pale yellow muslin day gown, embroidered with tiny coral-colored flowers. She smiled at Will, who’d watched with a small grin on his lips while she’d donned her gown. He was probably plotting how quickly he could remove it.
“Your turn, my love. I shall meet you in the salon.” She whisked out of the cabin before he could protest.
He heaved a sigh as the door shut then opened again to admit “Teedwell.” If his valet ever heard Will call him that, he’d probably resign. Throwing off the covers, Will stalked to the washbasin. “The buckskin breeches and light brown jacket for to-day. We’ll be on the ship for hours.”
Tidwell bowed, then set about laying out the rest of Will’s garments as Will washed.
Will and his wife had discussed moving into her apartment, but perhaps he could talk her into staying at the hotel for at least a few weeks. A honeymoon of sorts. One that wouldn’t include curious children and his aunt. Though he had to admit, once he and Eugénie had married, Sidonie had left them alone.
He strolled into the salon just in time to hear Cicely, who was in one corner of the room with her mother, say, “Wewantto spend our time together. We’ve been married less than a day. If we were in England, we’d be on our wedding trip.”
He glanced at Eugénie, who’d started to go to Cicely’s aid but was forestalled by her mother. The hotel looked better all the time. Andrew shook off Mr. Whitecliff’s arm, then strode over to his wife as Mrs. Whitecliff’s lips pressed in a thin line and she said, “Cicely, my dear, you cannot live in a gentleman’s pocket.”
“Ma’am.” Andrew took Cicely’s hand and drew her to him. “I believe I am the better judge of how my wife and I should go on.”
Eugénie sidled up next to Will, turning her head so that no one but he could hear. “That has been going on since Andrew and Cicely finished breakfast.”
“What does Mrs. Whitecliff think she’s doing? They’re married, for pity’s sake.”
She gave a slight shrug. “I think she was not ready to let go of Cicely yet.” Linking her arm with his, she led him to the dishes that had been set out. “Break your fast. We’ll be back in Charlotte Amalie before too long.”
“How is that possible? It took us hours to get to Tortola.”
