‘Why? Do you think I’m not happy?’
‘No,’ he replied. ‘I think deep down you are a happy person. But right now, circumstances have you feeling unhappy.’
She frowned, which he assumed meant that he was correct. ‘Try it tonight,’ he said. ‘Just tell yourself that you’re going to be happy tonight no matter what happens.’
They had reached the top of the stairway and paused to look down at the people mingling below. It was only a smattering of those in attendance; most had already made their way from the foyer to one of the many rooms hosting activities for the night’s event. Once again, there were numerous other places Drake would rather be, but he was here and would make the most of it. The question was, could he convince Meridith to do the same?
It would be a shame if he couldn’t, because besides being beautiful, she was a delightful person. It was just that her confidence was lacking. He could imagine that she felt much like he had years ago, when he’d had no control over his life. He had only been a child, but he certainly hadn’t liked it and had committed himself to changing it. In little more than ten years, he’d been the captain of a ship, totally independent.
Happiness had been the first step.
Turning his gaze back to her, he said, ‘It could be fun, for both of us.’
A tiny smile formed. ‘You are an interesting man, Captain Taylor.’
‘Drake,’ he corrected. ‘As per our deal. Unless of course, you would like me to retrieve—’
‘Drake,’ she interrupted. ‘I fully remember our deal. I was simply making an observation.’
‘As was I,’ he replied. Not sure he’d convinced her yet, he said, ‘What do you have to lose? You’ve arrived with me, and if your family thinks you are enjoying yourself, they might not introduce you to potential husbands. You don’t have to worry about me looking at you that way, because we both know I’m heading out to sea as soon as possible.’
A twinkle flashed in her blue eyes, and even though she bit down on her bottom lip, a hint of a smile broke through.
‘What do you say?’ he asked, encouraged by her grin. ‘Ready to be happy? Have a fun night?’
She glanced down the stairway again, then up at him. ‘Considering that neither of us want to be here, I suspect I could try.’
‘Not being here is no longer an option. But enjoying ourselves certainly is. An option and a choice.’
She grinned and nodded. ‘You’re right. It is, and I agree. Let’s enjoy the evening.’
He took ahold of her elbow. ‘Let’s start by saying hello to my cousins, Grace and Della. I saw them a few moments ago. I think they went into the ballroom.’
‘All right,’ she agreed.
As they started down the stairway, he said, ‘Della has two little girls, ages two and four, and Grace had a baby boy last year, so be prepared to hear all about them.’
‘That’s why you were so good with Adam,’ she said. ‘You’re used to children.’
‘I can’t say I’m used to them. I’d barely seen them before this trip home, but I have enjoyed getting to see them regularly.’ Della and Grace had never tried to control Drake in any way,therefore, the three of them had always got along well. Unlike Archibald. He also had two children, a boy and a girl, but Drake had only seen them a couple of times.
Meridith nodded, but her gaze had gone to the bottom of the stairs and her lips became tightly pinched.
A young blond man was standing near the base of the stairway, obviously waiting for them. Drake had no idea who he might be, but the way Meridith refused to make eye contact with the man, even when they descended the last step right in front of him, Drake could take a good guess. He had an idea that the blond man had previously been offered to her as a potential husband.
‘Lady Meridith,’ the young man said, with a slight nod of his head.
‘Mr Blair,’ she replied.
‘I-it’s nice to see y-you again,’ Blair said.
Drake remained silent, but felt a strong sense of tension coming from Meridith, and a good bout of nervousness coming from the young man named Blair.
‘Allow me to introduce Captain Drake Taylor,’ Meridith said, glancing his way. ‘Captain, this is Mr William Blair.’
‘Mr Blair,’ Drake greeted, shaking the man’s hand.
‘C-Captain Taylor,’ the man said in reply. ‘Are you acquainted with the D-Downs family?’
