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Broomer looked at the men. ‘Jack. Mutton. Wilton. Theodoure.’ He nodded to them. They grinned back.
‘Your sister...’ Warrington stared at Broomer ‘...told us where we might find your friends when I explained how they were needed.’
‘You’ll have to kill me to get to the lady and that little angel,’ Broomer said. ‘You can’t take ’em.’
‘I will not.’ He kept his eyes on Broomer and Gidley. ‘You have my word, in front of my son, that I will not take her.’
‘Papa. I thought you said we—’
‘Quiet, Jacob.’ He clamped his hand on his son’s shoulder. Warrington continued, ‘Unless Melina is completely happy to leave.’
The giant of a man ambled back, freeing space for them to come aboard. ‘I suppose.’
Warrington stared at the first mate. ‘And since you have time left from your guarding duties, Gidley, show my son how a ship works and keep him alive while doing so.’ The earl turned to Broomer. ‘And if you could take Willa, and keep her with her brother for a moment, I will refrain from telling the men about that particularly warm night in July when—’
Broomer raised a hand to silence him. ‘I’ll get Willa.’ He turned.
‘My cabin?’ Warrington asked.
‘No,’ Gid interrupted innocently before Broomer could speak. ‘Her cabin.’
Warrington levelled a look at Gidley. If not for Jacob’s ears, this conversation would proceed differently.
Gidley chuckled, his whole body moving, and nodded at Jacob. ‘Come along, Little Lordship, let me learn yer the parts of a ship.’
Warrington waited until Broomer and Willa’s exodus from the cabin, then he strode inside.
Melina’s bottom was propped against the edge of the bunk and her hands clasped the edge. She stared over his head.
He took in the room. ‘Devil take it, Melina. Is there a pillow left in my house?’ He glimpsed the window. ‘And the curtains. How long have you been planning this?’
‘Since the letter.’
He saw the basket in the corner. Smoked meat. Vegetables.
He grabbed the side of the door for balance. She planned to go to Melos. ‘I suppose Jacob can sleep in Ben’s cabin and I can try a hammock,’ he said. ‘I see there’s no room in here for me.’
‘You have not been invited.’
He shrugged. ‘I’ll stay on my half of the ship.’ He went to the curtain, pulled it aside and looked out. ‘My half should follow Ben’s half.’ He raised a brow and peered at her. ‘Or so I’ve been told.’
The grunt she gave placed no importance in his words.
‘I can see it now,’ he said. ‘Jacob and Willa on a ship and their tiny little stomachs jolting as we sail to Melos. And the waves. Life-threatening storms. They could perish.’ He took a step and planted himself in front of her. ‘Or you could stay and marry me, and be the one to guide Willa as she grows into a beauty others will pamper instead of making her do as she should...’
‘You do not speak fair.’
‘No. If she is to be my daughter, then this time, I will choose a good mother for her. I will not make the same mistake again. Think about it, Melina, because if you say no, I will have to tell my brother Dane that he will be managing the estates and bribe him greatly so I can follow you to make sure you are safe. And two babes will be sailing on a ship, away from nice comfortable beds full of pillows.’
Her eyes flashed dark at him.
He shrugged. ‘Think of Jacob and Willa.’
‘You will move to Melos?’
‘And hope to convince you to marry me. The island will never be home to me. But I can live there and return here to visit.’
‘I could not bear to see you leave like I saw my father leave.’
He turned to her. ‘Never like your father. I’ll expect you to return with me each time. It won’t be asking too much, if I am to spend much of my life there.’
He took one stride, pulled her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. ‘I can’t let you go. I can’t. Since you left my house, I have only had you out of my life for moments, and it has been intolerable agony. I cannot imagine days, weeks or years without you. Let me send Ben for your sisters. They can return here. Your family can share our home.’
She studied his face.
He nodded. ‘I have a country estate where I promised to take Jacob. I can add another house if needed. And my lonely, wealthy aunt is batty and cannot find enough people to listen to her stories. Your sisters will be comfortable and we will have enough time to become a true family.’
