“Very well.”
He grabbed her around her waist. “I love you.”
She put her palm against his freshly shaved cheek. “I love you as well.”
After she’d straightened her gown, Eugénie went back on deck. Spying her mother with Mrs. Whitecliff, Eugénie wandered around for a few minutes before going to the rail on the other side of the ship. They’d left the harbor and were on a larboard tack heading toward the east end of St. Thomas.
“There you are, my dear.”
Eugénie could feel her mother’s gaze on her face, but she stared straight out at the sea. No doubt her cheeks were still flushed and her lips swollen from William’s kisses. If Eugénie didn’t want to be locked in her cabin until they found the vicar, she didn’t dare meet her mother’s gaze. “Were you looking for me?”
“Yes. Where is Will?”
Eugénie glanced around as if she’d only just noticed he wasn’t there. “I don’t know. I imagine he’ll be here soon. Perhaps he wished to speak with the captain.”
Moments later, a tall, strong presence radiating heat stood behind her. A smile tugged at her lips. “I thought you’d got lost.”
“Never.” William’s voice was low and a shiver ran down her spine, wanting him. “Not unless I took you with me.”
“Ah, good,” Maman said. “I dislike not knowing where people are when we are aboard a ship.”
As she left, Cicely and Andrew joined them at the rail. She squeezed Eugénie’s hand. “It won’t be long now.”
Will groaned and Eugénie grinned. He still couldn’t believe it would take several hours to arrive in Tortola.
“Are you feeling all right?” Cicely asked William. “You’re not ill, are you?”
Leaning back against her betrothed, Eugénie replied, “Soon is a matter of opinion. William was under the impression the journey took only three hours.”
“Ah.” Cicely patted William’s shoulder. “It will go quickly. Mama has planned games after we get into Pillsbury Sound. Until then you can read if you become bored with the sights.”
Maman and Mrs. Whitecliff returned to the parlor, while Cicely directed Andrew and William to set out chairs on the deck. Even with the wind picking up as they sailed around Dog Island, this might be the longest trip she had ever been on. Reaching Road Town had never been so important before.
Will was at his wit’s end. They’d eaten, played charades, then cards. Just when he thought they’d arrive in Tortola earlier, the wind shifted. Every time he’d tried to cut Eugénie out of the group, her mother or one or more of her sisters were there with them. It was as if his aunt knew what he planned to do with Eugénie if he ever got her alone again. For her part, Eugénie cast him occasional looks of longing while keeping a smile on her face for everyone else.
Finally, shortly after four o’clock that afternoon, they sailed into Road Town’s protected harbor, and dropped anchor.
“Andrew, my lord,” Mr. Whitecliff said—Will had so far not been able to get the man to call him by his first name—“Let’s see if we can chase down that rascal of a vicar.”
“I want to go as well,” Eugénie said.
“Yes, and I,” Cicely added.
Whitecliff rubbed his chin. “Well, I suppose there’s no harm, as long as, that is, you two do not convince the vicar to marry you in town this afternoon. Your mother would have my hide.”
Cicely and Eugénie exchanged looks, and an unspoken communication seemed to take place between them. Finally, Cicely said, “We won’t, Papa.”
Will helped Eugénie down the ladder and into the boat. Once they were seated, he murmured, “What was that about?”
A small smile graced her lips. “If we find him, we’ll bring him back to the ship.”
He slipped his arm around her waist. “Let’s hope he’s there.”
Once on shore, they made their way to St. George’s church, a large wooden building painted white, surrounded by a low fence, not a half mile from the docks.
A pale, harried-looking young man with light red hair giving directions to a middle-aged negro woman stood at the entrance to the church.
After she left, Will said, “I am Viscount Wivenly. We’re looking for Mr. Stewart. Would you happen to be he?”
