“Don’t I know it,” he answered in a rueful voice. “That’s why I needed to make sure Mr. Wivenly ain’t got no fight in him.”
“What are you goin’ to do about the big Negro?”
“I got someone to put a powder in his food. He’ll be down for at least a day or so.”
Le Marin, Nathan formed a plan of the island in his mind. He must be on the north end of Martinique. Only a day or two sail from St. Thomas, if the winds were right. He closed his eyes, intending to sleep, but rest wouldn’t come as he tried to pin his location more accurately. The only small harbors were on the west. Which placed him due north of Saint-Pierre, the island’s major port, where a gentleman owed him a favor. Provided his escape was successful, he’d be home in less than a week.
Chapter 13
Eugénie stared after Wivenly as he strode from the parlor with a jaunty step. Her meeting with him hadn’t gone at all as she had planned. When Wivenly stood close to her, his scent, very male mixed with something spicy, overwhelmed her common sense, and all she wanted to do was breathe him in. Perhaps if she didn’t allow him so close to her, he would not be able to make her do things she didn’t want to, such as kissing him. Though when he was not acting like a beast, she liked him very well.
She sank onto the window seat. Why, why, why had she agreed to his plan for them to get to know each other better?
Because you want to be near him.
The voice in her head seemed almost as if another person had spoken.
He was right about one thing. She had nothing else to occupy her time. Her younger sisters were engaged with their governess, her brother was in England, Cicely had time for nothing but her wedding, after which she’d spend most of her days and nights with Andrew, and there were currently no children to rescue.
Why couldn’t Eugénie’s path with Wivenly be as easy as her friend’s?
Possibly it would be better if she learned about Wivenly as well. After all, it appeared she’d be stuck with him. Or perhaps she’d find he was in some way unsuitable, and she could make him leave. She refused to think about her mother discovering what he’d done with her.
A few minutes later the door opened. Thinking it was Wivenly returning to confuse her even more, she didn’t look up.
“What,” Cicely asked, “are you in such a brown study about?”
“You remember I told you I would break off my engagement to Wivenly.” Eugénie raised her gaze to her friend and frowned. “Somehow he talked me out of it.”
Cicely cocked her head to the side, appearing to be as confused as Eugénie felt. “But he took back his gifts?”
“Yes. I do not understand him at all.” At this point, she didn’t understand herself either.
Her friend sat next to her. “He is definitely not as easy to comprehend as Andrew. I wish I knew how to advise you.”
Eugénie’s lips drooped. She probably looked like the wilted flowers that had sat on the table. “He is coming tomorrow morning.”
“Is he? Being gloomy won’t help. I think you should tell me exactly what occurred.” Cicely smiled brightly and took Eugénie’s hands, squeezing them. “Yet first, what will you wear for Jeanne’s birthday dinner? It must be something pretty.”
“I haven’t given it much thought.” Eugénie didn’t really want to celebrate anything this year, but Maman looked forward to it, as did the children. “I’ll find something.”
“Then you shall wear your yellow and cream gown, and I’ll give you one of your birthday presents early.” Cicely rose gracefully.
Eugénie sighed. Everything about her friend was charming and bubbly.
“Come with me,” Cicely said. “We’ll have luncheon on the terrace at my house.”
“Wouldn’t you rather dine with Andrew?”
“I love spending time with him, but at present, I’d rather be with you.” She grabbed Eugénie’s hand and tugged. “We still have two weddings to plan.”
“It will take months for mine to come about.” She raised one shoulder in a shrug. “He must receive permission from the earl to marry me.”
Cicely stopped and slowly raised one blond brow. “Eugénie Marie Louise Villaret de Joyeuse, you haven’t told him you can marry on Tortola, have you?”
“Non.”She lifted her chin. “And unless he can tell me why he is so determined to marry me, I shall not. He would carry me off just so he could have his way.”
Her friend raised her eyes to the ceiling for a moment. “He’ll be angry when he finds out.”
