She was surprised when he did as she directed, without questioning her. She had not thought he would take orders from a lady. “Would you like to steer, or shall I?”
He gave a self-deprecating smile. “I may have overstated my abilities a bit. None of my family’s properties are near the sea, therefore my experience is limited.”
Eugénie stared at him for a moment. All men boasted, but not many would admit it to a woman. Would Wivenly allow her to teach him? Little by little she trimmed the sail until there was no luff. “There now.” Keeping the boom steady, she moved to the stern and took hold of the tiller. “If you can mind the sheets, I’ll steer.”
He smiled with a bit more confidence this time. “I’m sure I can manage that.”
Sitting on the middle bench, he turned to face her. “How long have you been sailing?”
“Since I was about ten.” It was the one time that she and Papa could spend time alone together. The boat was too small to take the rest of the children. He’d been good picking something each child enjoyed and taking the time to give them his undivided attention for at least a little while.
Eugénie ran her fingers over the starboard side rail, blinking back the tears threatening to fall. “Papa built this boat for me for my twelfth birthday.”
Wivenly checked the canvas. “Who usually accompanies you?”
“My maid.”
He jerked his head around to her. “She rows?”
So much for keeping the truth from him. He would either take it badly and feel like a fool or not. “No.”
“If she doesn’t”—he paused as if trying to understand—“do you row?”
Eugénie gave a little shake of her head. “I can, but I do not unless the wind is in the wrong quarter.”
His eyes widened, and his brows drew together slightly. “Then you didn’t require me to . . . ?”
Oh dear. What did Maman say? Always let a man think you need him? “No, but I was very appreciative of your efforts.”
“I’ll be dam . . . darned.” A boyish grin appeared on his face. “That takes a great deal of skill.”
Eugénie had the sudden urge to kiss him. She certainly was not going to tell him that any competent sailor could do the same. “Thank you. Papa was a very good teacher.” She glanced around, calculating the distance from the nearest ship. “We need to tack.”
“Umm, yes, right.” He took up a line. “Tell me what to do.”
A burble of laughter escaped her. “You said you knew how to handle the sails.”
He grinned ruefully. “Only on large ships.”
“Well, it is not much different. We want the wind to fill the sail from the other side. I’ll turn the boat into the wind. When the sail luffs, slacken the line, and we’ll switch sides, then you trim the sail again.”
Wivenly’s lips pressed together as he concentrated on the task. When he had finished, he swallowed, causing the muscles in his tanned neck to move as if he’d just taken a drink. “I have it.”
She’d never seen him not completely in charge before. Dragging her gaze from his face, she minded the boat as the linen slackened, then the wind caught again. Wivenly moved with sure, quick motions until the sail was full on the new tack. “Well done indeed.”
When he looked at her, his eyes danced with joy. “Thank you.”
Heat rose up her neck to her face. If only he was like this all the time. This was a man she could fall in love with. She cleared her throat. “We’ll need to tack several more times before we reach the beach.”
Wivenly glanced at the basket. “Ah yes. Food.”
Unbidden, her lips curved in a smile. “Are men always hungry?”
He leaned closer to her. His voice was low. “Always. At least I am.”
He straightened, leaving her oddly bereft. Was he afraid to kiss her while she operated the tiller? Then it occurred to her he had not attempted to touch her last evening either. Had he lost interest in her? Eugénie glanced at Wivenly, catching him as he stared at her with a heated gaze. Clearly he was still attracted, but he seemed to have changed tactics.
“Ship to starboard,” Wivenly said sharply.
