“Your father must love you very much.”
Her heart swelled as she remembered the precious times they’d spent together during her youth. “Oui.A love that is returned, I assure you.”
Colyne stroked his thumb across her palm. “King Philip is nae widely known for his gentle nature.”
“Non,” she agreed, closing her hand over his. “My father’s position demands a staunch ruler. Beneath his terse countenance, he is a kind and gentle man.” She leaned against Colyne’s chest, soothed by the steady pulse of his heart. She could stand here forever as the sea slid past with a magical whisper. “When did the storm end?”
“Late last night. With the gentle roll of waves, you would never believe that hours ago the water raged with a brownie’s wrath.”
“A brownie?” She arched her brow. “Another of your Scottish fairies?”
“Aye,” he said, but Colyne’s smile didn’t erase the lines of fatigue on his face.
As much as she wanted to remain outside, he was all but asleep on his feet. She yawned to give credence to her words. “I am tired and ready to return to bed.”
“Nae worrying about me, are you?” he said with uncanny insight.
“She is up, then?” The captain’s deep voice boomed as he strode toward them, his long black hair secured in a leather strip, his swagger that of a man used to riding out rough weather, and his ebony eyes bright with devilment. As he neared, his sharp gaze settled on her, as if assessing her condition.
“For the moment,” Colyne replied.
Logan halted before them. “I will have one of the men bring you some stew, my lady.”
“Thank you.” After the food she’d eaten, she was unsure whether she could swallow more, but she would try. Before they reached port, she needed to regain her full strength. “When will we arrive in France?”
“The stowaway wishes to debark in France?” He winked. “Colyne told me of your determination to return home.”
She froze. What else had been shared?
“Alesia is a determined woman,” Colyne said, his use of her second name calming her to a degree.
“Oui, I am anxious to return,” she said with a forced calm. “My father will be worried about me.”
Logan gave her a charming smile. “We should arrive in port with the morning tide. Once we have docked, I shall make any arrangements either of you need.”
Colyne nodded and then gave Marie a pointed stare. “We will be traveling together.”
“If I had such a beautiful woman at my side, I would nae let her stray far from me either,” the captain teased. Logan studied her for another moment. “You look tired. Go below and rest, my lady. I will ensure your food arrives soon.”
“My thanks.”
“Never let it be said I have treated a lass with coarse manners.” The captain gave a formal bow and then headed toward the aft of the ship, where one of the crew members labored around a pot hung on a tripod of steel. Below it, set upon a thick, smoothed patch of sand, a fire burned.
Marie turned to Colyne. “He is right. I am ready to lie down.”
“Still worried about me?”
She scowled, frustrated he’d seen through her intention. “Over the past few days, you should have slept instead of remaining awake at my side. And do not deny it. Except when you helped secure the crates, every time I awoke, you were holding my hand.”
He quirked an amused brow. “Was I?”
“Do not be so difficult.”
With a chuckle, Colyne helped her return to the cabin. By the time he’d tucked her into bed, a crewman appeared in the entryway.
“I have brought food for you both,” the sailor said.
Colyne walked over and accepted the bowls. “It smells like a fine stew.”
