I left them all in a hurry, brushing pretend tears away and sniffing to accentuate the act.
Once I reached my bedroom, I fell onto my bed and began waiting for everyone to go to sleep. I shouldn’t have been surprised when my door opened and Melody entered with a knowing sigh.
I sat up in my bed, feigning innocence. She folded her arms above her swollen belly and lifted an eyebrow.
She knew. I smiled back at her, not sheepishly. With determination. With certainty.
“You don’t really think Cam will let you sail across the Atlantic, do you?”
I lifted a shoulder. “Well,hecan’t do it with you expecting soon. And you heard Papa, he doesn’t think Graham is worth the trouble. So it falls to me. You don’t actually think me capable of waiting any longer.” It was my turn to raise an eyebrow.
She shook her head. “You can’t be serious.”
“I assure you,” I said, standing and walking to her, “I am perfectly serious.”
We stared at each other for a long moment, two stubborn women trying to convince each other silently.
I crossed my arms. “You can’t stop me.”
“I can tell Cam.”
“You wouldn’t,” I responded, narrowing my eyes.
“If it meant you’d be safe, I would.”
At that, I walked forward and took her hands in mine. “Admit it. You would do it for Cam.”
She scoffed and I knew I had her.
“You know you would,” I continued. “You did something similar for someone much less worthy.” I usually tried not to bring up her past mistakes—like running away to London on the mistaken assumption that she was in love with a man who had only wanted her fortune.
“That was different… it wasLondon.” She sighed heavily, presumably berating herself for her poor judgement back then.
I gave her a look that communicated my triumph in teasing her, then I placed my hands on my hips. “Yes, and it wasRichard Cole.A despicable cad. This is Graham. Heisworth running away for. Besides, consider the prospect of the West Indies. That in itself would convince you to go.” I grinned at her. We had spoken of our desire to travel manytimes in the past three years. Her mind had opened since she had come to Scotland—a land she used to be wary of but now loved.
Her eyes narrowed and she walked to my bed before spinning around. “You think you know me so well.”
“I do. Andyouknowme.”
She stared at me again, and I could see it in her eyes: the moment her thoughts aligned with mine. She lifted her arms in defeat before letting them fall back to her sides. “Fine. What do you need from me?”
I gave an inward cheer and pulled her in for a quick hug. “Thank you.” I knew I’d lure her into my scheme. “I just need you to cover for me for a day or two. Long enough for me to find passage to St. Kitts.”
She chewed the inside of her cheek. Then, nodding, she said, “I can do that. Under one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“Take Patrice with you.”
“I’ve already enlisted her. She’ll probably make a better sailor than I will.”
Melody chuckled. “You’re probably right about that.” She paused and then paced, thinking. Her finger tapped her chin. “I think you should wait until we can make better plans. You don’t need to go headlong into this journey. Things like this need more time to come together.”
I felt restless. “I am leaving tonight. I cannot wait any longer or I shall go mad.”
We were the same in this regard; impatient, impulsive, and driven toward our goals. She stopped pacing, as if giving up.
“Fine. Go through the kitchens and take some food…I’ll leave money for you before I head to bed. And have Patrice take my horse. It’s the only one that can keep up with yours.” She sighed and rubbed her belly distractedly. “Your father and Cameron may never forgive me ifyou don’t return. I’ll never forgive myself. Remember that we’re all waiting for you. And you will have a new niece or nephew waiting as well.” She patted her stomach with both hands, a smile brightening her eyes.
