He didn’t like the idea of her alone at this time of day “I’ll go—”
“No.” Vincent took Nathan by the arm. “If someone is looking for you, you will do Miss Marshall no good. Tell me what she was wearing, and I’ll go to the stables.”
Vincent left, and for the next quarter hour, Nathan and Conrad paced, until the door opened revealing Miss Marshall and his friend.
“What took you so long?” Nathan asked as Conrad wrapped his arms around her.
“The gentleman she’d borrowed the mule from was still asleep. We chose to wake the groom instead.”
Nathan nodded. Fatigue dragged him down. It had been a long night, but finally they were all safe, or as safe as they could be.
Vincent clasped Nathan’s shoulder. “Eat. Then sleep. We have much to arrange.”
Yes, such as ensuring they had a way off the island before his captors figured out where he and the others had gone.
Chapter 19
The sky was rapidly becoming lighter as the sun quickly rose. A gentle breeze stirred the muslin draped over Eugenie’s bed to keep the mosquitoes at bay. A deep purr rumbled against her side, and she slowly stroked her Chartreux cat. “What am I to do, Penelope?”
The cat’s raspy tongue licked Eugénie’s fingers. “I greatly fear I am falling in love with Wivenly, and I have no idea how he feels about me.”
Penelope moved so that she was half lying on Eugénie’s chest. Large yellow eyes blinked as if now ready to listen. “I know that is not what I thought wouldeverhappen, but you see, lately, he had been very kind. While we were sailing yesterday, he was so much fun to be with. He even chased my bonnet.” The warmth of seeing Wivenly covered with sand, laughing at himself, flooded her. “And when I landed on top of him, his eyes got that look that he has when he wants to kiss me, yet he did not. Last evening during dinner and afterward hewasa little high-handed, but so solicitous. I had the impression he just wanted to spend more time alone with me.”
Eugénie sighed.
The cat moved her head, encouraging Eugénie to scratch her jowls. “Do you think he truly cares about me, or is he only attempting to convince me to marry him?”
Penelope dipped her head so that Eugénie’s fingers were now on the cat’s head. “You think I should just ask?”
The purring grew louder. “First let me see how he does to-day at the church. If that goes well, I will say something.”
The cat made a small chirping sound and rearranged herself on her back. Eugénie stroked Penelope’s stomach until the noise of her maid preparing the wash water roused her. “Let us go. One way or the other, this will be an eventful day.”
An hour later, she entered the empty drawing room expecting to find Wivenly waiting. In fact, she had been looking forward to seeing him. So much for his behavior last evening. She had told him it was important to leave at eight. The children were not allowed to remain away from the plantation for very long. She swallowed past the lump in her throat. Very well. She’d leave without him.
“Tidwell?” Will struggled with the foot-wide length of linen, which at the moment had the stiffness of a wooden board. He could not be late for his appointment with Eugénie. He wouldn’t put it past her to leave without him. If nothing else, she’d be upset if he was tardy.
His valet stood with several of the neck-cloths at the ready. Normally they draped over Tidwell’s arm. Now they almost stuck straight out.
“Yes, my lord.”
“Is it the salt air, or have you been adding more starch to the laundry?”
“More starch, my lord.”
Drat it all. Tidwell knew Will didn’t like starch. “I suppose you have a good explanation.”
“Of course, my lord.” Tidwell’s tone managed to convey surprise that Will would ask, and just the tiniest bit of distain that he couldn’t figure it out for himself. “Your cravats have an unfortunate tendency to droop on this weather.”
“Wearein the tropics,” Will retorted in his driest voice. The one that had stopped matchmaking mamas and pretentious toadeaters flat yet appeared to have no effect on his valet.
“That may be the case, my lord.” Tidwell hadn’t moved a muscle. “However, one must at least maintain theappearanceof a gentleman even in rustic living conditions.”
Will finally managed to get the cloth wrapped around his neck and in position so that all he had to do was carefully drop his chin down a few time to make the correct arrangement. He would have glowered, but it would ruin his neckcloth. He settled for a lofty tone. “Iama gentleman.”
“So you say, my lord.”
Blast the man. Will remained still while Tidwell began the process of maneuvering the sleeves of Will’s coat over his shoulders. “Tidwell, how long have you been with me?”
